ROB Austin is out to end the season on a high as the British Touring Car Championship reaches its climax at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this weekend.

The Evesham racer heads into the final meeting in 12th place, 27 points behind Alain Menu, who occupies the 10th place that Austin covets.

While the season has had its highlights for the 33-year-old, including a victory at Rockingham and three other podium finishes, mechanical issues have stunted progress for the Pershore-based Rob Austin Racing team.

But the team principal is determined to sign off on a positive note heading into the winter period.

Austin said: “Every driver, myself included, wants to end their season on a high with the best results possible going into the long winter break but that is much harder to achieve at this event simply because it is the grand finale.

“Drivers traditionally use it as an excuse to settle any scores or just go plain crazy with a win-or-bust mentality. Or both.

“It’s the most unpredictable event on the calendar so, apart from being on the pace it’s doubly important to try to make sure you are in the right place at the right time to capitalise when it goes wrong for other people around you.”

Either Colin Turkington or Jason Plato will be crowned champion at Brands Hatch, with the former 50 points ahead of his title rival.

Gordon Shedden, of Pershore-based Honda Yuasa Racing, will be hoping to hold on to third, while Matt Neal won’t want to slip below his current position of seventh.

Austin added: “Everyone seems to think Colin has it in the bag but that can easily change – this is the BTCC after all and anything could happen, especially with the Brands GP track layout being more favourable for front-wheel-drive cars.

“If I find myself battling with either Colin or Jason and the title is still up for grabs then both will get my total respect.”

n Evesham motorbike racer Terry Fuller finished runner-up in his first season in the Michelin Power Cup for 1,000cc rookies.

He ended up 19 points adrift of top spot after four first placings in the final round at Croft, despite crashing on the test day at the North Yorkshire circuit.