Newsham looking for change of fortune
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DAVE Newsham wants to put the setbacks suffered in the opening rounds of the British Touring Car Championship season behind him with a series of strong finishes at Donington this weekend.
The 45-year-old, from Inverness, failed to cross the finishing line in two out of the three races as this year’s campaign began at Brands Hatch.
It was not the start desired by Newsham and his new Speedworks team as the car struggled to cope with the colder weather, but he is confident that with better conditions expected over the weekend, it will be more beneficial to his Toyota Avensis.
"After the disappointment of Brands Hatch, I am eager to get my 2013 campaign back on track," he said.
"Two ‘did not finishes’ from three races — I was hoping to have no more than that for the full season — was hardly ideal, so 100 per cent finishes from here on in is a difficult task, but not impossible.
"The weather is looking to be much warmer this weekend, so let’s hope the freezing conditions that our car does not like are a thing of the past.
"That said, despite our car not liking those conditions, for the short time we spent on track at Brands Hatch, we were quick."
Following the difficulties experienced at Brands Hatch, the Speedworks team have been working hard to improve Newsham’s car.
With Donington a circuit that Newsham relishes, the Welsh-born driver is hopeful that if the problems experienced last time out can be avoided then he can challenge strongly at the front of the field.
"Me and the whole Speedworks team are really excited about Donington," he said.
"We have yet more aero upgrades for this weekend. Work never stops at Speedworks, so our two practice sessions will be spent evaluating the upgrades and fine tuning the car to the circuit.
"I love Donington. It’s a very old school, flowing circuit with some very fast corners. Craner Curves is a downhill corner taken (last year in my Vectra) flat out in sixth gear — one for the very brave!
"We seem to have had no luck last time out. Let’s hope that changes and we can have at least one podium during the weekend."
For those wanting to watch Newsham in action, coverage from Donington on Sunday starts from 10.45am on ITV4 and concludes at 6pm.
