ROMSEY driver Rob Austin's impressive return to motor racing in the 2004 John Cooper Challenge saw him finish a very creditable eighth in the Championship, partnering Martin Wallbank to a team finish of third.

The season ended with an exciting race at Brands Hatch, where an opening lap melee left six cars strewn in the gravel at the first corner. Austin, having skilfully avoided the fracas, was well placed as the lap ended but was disappointed to see red flags stopping the race. All six of the unlucky drivers were able to regain their positions on the grid for the restart and, in the ensuing tussle, Rob fought well to hold position around the tight, shortened circuit.

A typical BMW driver, Austin was never prepared to yield space on the tarmac and, seeing his chance at the start of the final lap, slalomed past the car in front. He looked certain of a sixth place finish before being bludgeoned into seventh by the mini of Mick Beauchamp. Both cars left debris on the track, but as the majority seemed to be wing mirrors, seemingly redundant features as far as either driver is concerned, it wasn't to impede their progress to the finish line.

This season, the 2004 John Cooper Challenge has been one of education for Austin, who was a complete novice to the two opening disciplines of hill climbs and sprints held at Lydden and Wiscombe in April - where he picked up seventh and tenth positions respectively.

He then moved on to the first 'proper' race at Donington in May. Confident of a good performance, disaster struck as a five car pile-up on the first corner ended his race, leaving him with whiplash and severe damage to the car. So severe was the damage that he was forced to use a borrowed car in the next event, a double header, at Castle Combe.

Despite the dated machinery, he managed to conquer the elements and run as high as fifth position during the rain-affected second race. In early July the championship continued with its only non-UK event; a double header held at Croix en Ternois in France,, where it was seventh heaven for Austin! Qualifying 7th, he finished both races, in his recently re-built car, in 7th position.

It was back to England after the summer recess and to Silverstone for the double header mini celebration meeting. A good battle ensued in the first race and again running as high as 6th position, having started lower down the grid, Rob was able to finish in 8th position. Regrettably, the second race was abandoned due to a fatal accident on the first lap involving a fellow competitor, Darren Needham.

The final three races of the Championship again resulted in further well earned points being scored and possibly the best racing of the season. Ninth place at Rockingham International Speedway was followed up by a 7th place at Oulton Park and the 7th place at Brands Hatch in the seasons final encounter.

A very upbeat Austin said, after the final meeting: "Having been away from the cockpit for a period of 14 years, finishing 8th in the Championship final standings and 3rd overall in the Team Championship, the results were reasonably impressive and I'm really looking forward to next season." Rob was supported throughout this season by Orchard Homes, based in Southampton, and hopes to continue a relationship with them into 2005.

Details are beginning to emerge for next season's Championship when there will be six double headers, all supporting the British Formula 3 and British GT Championship (one of the most popular race series in the country). Most important for Rob's growing band of followers is the news that there will be two races at nearby Thruxton.