Audi cars: A closer look at The Arc Audi Racing Program with Don Istook

Friday, October 5, 2012

A closer look at The Arc Audi Racing Program with Don Istook

By Johan Laubscher

In North America the Istook name is synonymous with being on the side of an Audi racer. Don Istook is an Audi racing legend. He has built and competed with Audi race cars for decades. 2012 was an exciting year for Don and his team. They acquired the first Audi TT RS in North America and turned it into a stunning white race car. The 2012 campaign focussed on the SCCA World Challenge GTS class where the team enjoyed much success in a very competitive field.

As the 2012 SCCA World Challenge season came to an end more exciting news emerged from the team. After running one Audi TT RS in the World Challenge this year, the Arc Audi Racing Program will return in 2013 with two of these beautiful TT RS race cars. This is very exciting news for North American Audi fans. The team also welcomes any new potential sponsors to join the campaign.

Amongst the World Challenge commitments Don and the TT RS were also seen at other SCCA Regional events. Development continued steadily during the year as the TT RS was further improved. At the close of the 2012 World Challenge season the team got ready for the SCCA National Runoffs, the premier event for the Nationals held at Road America. It was a great showing as Don drove the TT RS to a top ten result finishing in seventh place of the STU class. The top ten result is even more impressive as Don started from pitlane and proceeded to storm through the race, passing more than half of the field.

With the racing season nearing its end the team have another event on the calendar. They have been invited by Pirelli to participate in the grand opening of the new Circuit of the Americas Formula One track in Austin, to be held on 21 October 2012. It will be very exciting to see the TT RS putting down a few laps at this new race circuit.

Along with bringing the TT RS to the racing scene in North America, Istook’s Motorsport has also been involved with a very special project. The team have been supporting The Arc, a national organisation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Running under the entry name of The Arc Audi Racing Program, the team employs crew members with disabilities to show what they are capable of, and to be part of a professional racing team. The Arc also sends a group of members to the race meetings to introduce them to the team and its crew.

Don Istook is also venturing into another new adventure as he prepares to launch a new business venture called RS Werkes. The new business line will focus on the Audi RS and S performance cars.

The Arc Audi Racing Program has been an extremely exciting program to follow during the 2012 season. With two cars on the grid next year this program will grow from strength to strength and we wish the team all the best for their future successes.