MX-5 star Foden among influx to Audi TT category
Mazda MX-5 champion Steve Foden will remain with Rob Boston Racing as he is one of 41 drivers to have already registered for the Audi TT Cup ahead of the British Racing & Sports Car Club category’s first year with championship status.
Foden, whose dominant 2023 titlewinning campaign was the culmination of a seven-year spell in MX-5 Mk1 machinery, will be joined in a threecar team by Club Enduro and Britcar Trophy frontrunner Will Stacey and series regular Morgan Wroot.
“It was actually Dave Percy from Urban Design & Consult, our main sponsor, who suggested it,” said Foden, who will drive the ex-paul Maguire car, having tested a different TT at Donington Park before Christmas. “It’s 275bhp, it’s got a rear-wing element – it looks a little bit like a mini touring car. It’s got the aero, it’s got the [turbo] boost, it’s got a semi-slick, and I was just massively impressed with the speed of it. My driving skills could probably do with a bit of front-wheel-drive experience as well, to develop me as a driver.
“It’s going to be a learning year. If I can come away with one podium, I’d consider that a ‘win’, given how many years we’ve been in rear-wheel drive. Anything more than that would be a bonus.”
Other names switching to the TCR UK support category include Legends racer Charlie Budd, former MG Trophy frontrunner Paul Luti and 2022 Civic
Cup champion Matt Luff, who reunites with Area Motorsport after a year in the Fiesta ST240 championship.
A total of 41 drivers have already registered for the Audi contest, including 34 signing up to the Brands Hatch opener within a few days of entries opening. BRSCC chairman Peter Daly believes promoting the category at the club’s Driven by Racing event at Silverstone last November has helped generate interest, while adding the championship status has also helped tempt drivers in.
“The cars are very reliable with a proven engine and gearbox, and the interest’s been great,” he said. “We’ve been trying over the last few years to have a pathway so people can join in and do Mazdas and go to this step. We believe these cars could be as popular as the MX-5S have been.”