Newsham looking for hat-trick of finishes at Thruxton
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DAVE Newsham is hoping to steer clear of trouble on Sunday as he bids to complete all three races for the first time this season.
Thruxton provides the venue for the third round of this year’s British Touring Car Championship — track the Inverness driver has shown up well on in the past, although not at this level having been absent for last year’s race here.
Newsham is targeting another good showing this weekend, but of more importance is simply crossing the finishing line in each other three races.
The 44-year-old might have achieved his first-ever podium finish in the BTCC with a third at Brands Hatch on the opening day of the new season, while he managed a fourth at Donington, but at both tracks he has failed to finish at least one of the races.
A blown engine made it a disappointing end to what was another encouraging performance by the Team ES Racing man last time out, so the focus at Thruxton is essentially to take all precautions and avoid potential problems as Newsham aims to move up from his eighth position in the overall driver standings.
"Rain or shine, I am confident of a good showing this weekend," said Newsham, who will travel to Edinburgh before flying down to Southampton to get to the Hampshire-based circuit.
"What I can’t afford to do however is sustain damage. My budget has taken a hammering so far this season and it won’t take much more.
"I also need three solid race finishes as I have only finished four of the first six races. I should be right up there in the championship, but equal eighth does not represent where we should be.
"For me, this will be my first visit to Thruxton in a Touring Car, as I missed last season’s event.
"I last raced there in 2010, racing in the Elf Renault Clio Cup. I put the car on pole position and won race one with fastest lap time too.
"It is a track I like. It really gets the adrenalin going as you are taking several corners at 130mph."
Following a decision to join Team ES Racing before the start of this season, Newsham has spoken highly of the performance levels of his new Vauxhall Vectra VXR.
With rain forecast, however, Newsham is entering uncharted territory having never competed in this car on the wet, while a change by the organisers in turbo boost levels may give his rivals that extra edge.
"At this time, the weather looks terrible, so it could be another new for me as I have never driven my VXR Vectra in the wet," he said.
"That said, I am confident we can maintain the pace we have had so far this season. I am at one with the car and if anything, Thruxton should be a little better for us as I have total confidence in the car’s handling, which is the very thing you need round this track.
"The turbo boost levels have been adjusted by TOCA, who run the BTCC, for this weekend. They have been adjusted based on average lap times from the first two events.
"Because we have been reasonably quick this year, we haven’t gained much boost, but others have, so don’t be surprised to see some other names in the mix this weekend."
You can follow Newsham’s progress on ITV4 on Sunday with coverage from the third round of the BTCC at Thruxton starting at 11am.
