Newsham hires personal trainer
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DAVE Newsham has hired a personal trainer as he bids to maintain the momentum of two podium finishes in consecutive races.
Following the resumption of the British Touring Car Championship after the mid-season break, Inverness driver Newsham enjoyed race wins last month at both Snetterton and Knockhill.
It is a run of form that Newsham is determined to keep going at Rockingham this weekend, so much so that a new fitness regime is even being tried in a bid to keep the 45-year-old up towards the front of the grid.
"I have taken a personal trainer onboard who is doing his best to kill me, but he is getting me into, without doubt, the best shape I have ever been in," he said.
"They say there is no gain without pain, and boy am I going through some pain, but if it makes the smallest of improvement in my race pace, then it is worth it.
"I want to finish the season on a high, and hopefully put myself at the front of the shop window when teams are looking for drivers for the 2013 season."
Newsham’s hopes of a hat-trick of race wins on Sunday, however, have been dealt a blow with his team ES Racing receiving a further reduction in the turbo boost the VXR Vectra is allowed.
"We have received our turbo boost levels for this weekend and it’s not good news," he said. "I’m confused by it as well.
"We have had a further reduction in turbo boost, this despite us being 11th fastest in the speed traps at Knockhill, but also half a second off the pace in all of the races too. This further reduction will really hamper our performance this weekend
"My VXR Vectra has a fine chassis and should be good for the infield part of the track. However, the surface is very abrasive and you are always struggling for tyre wear towards the end of the race — this will give an advantage to the NGTC cars.
"Last year, we saw Frank Wrathall and Rob Austin going well in the NGTC cars. Now that most of the grid is made up of them, we are going to struggle.
"The NGTC cars have wider and larger diameter 18 inch tyres, meaning they actually cover less laps than our 17 inch S2000 tyres.
"That all sounds negative, but my mind is far from it. I will be giving it 100 per cent to try and get on the podium again.
"I have won the final race of the last two events. That race is mine and I’m going to fight hard to win it again."
Newsham currently finds himself eighth in the overall standing on 146 points, 41 behind nearest rival Matt Jackson. He is fifth in the independent drivers, but again a long way behind fourth placed Jackson.
Meanwhile, Newsham has secured another sponsor for Rockingham. Stingray RV.com will be supplying the Welsh-born driver with a huge American Motorhome for his accommodation at the circuit.
DAVE Newsham’s progress at Rockingham this weekend can be followed on ITV4.
The qualifying stage will be screened from 3.05-3.45pm tomorrow, with all three races being shown between 11am and 6pm on Sunday.
