Newsham on top of the podium again
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DAVE Newsham made it two first place finishes in as many rounds after storming to victory in front of a home crowd at Knockhill.
Leading from the start in race three, Inverness driver Newsham never let the field get near him as he followed up his maiden triumph at Snetterton earlier in the month with success in Fife.
The 45-year-old has plenty of experience of the Knockhill circuit from his time in the Scottish Legends Championship, but not even he dared consider the possibility of another win, especially in the British Touring Car Championships only round north of the border.
"I really didn’t believe a podium result let alone a win would be possible here, but I banged in some really fast laps at the start of race three and that clinched it for me," said Newsham.
Having qualified down in 10th, Newsham finished the opening race 11th overall in his Team Es Racing Vauxhall Vectra and it did not improve markedly for him next time out as he came home 10th.
But with the grid reversed for race three, Newsham found himself on pole and he seized his chance to make an impression, going on to win and in doing so stand atop the podium in front of a large Scottish fanbase.
"I really did not think victory was possible, but starting from pole position on the reversed grid I knew my best chance was to push hard straight away and try and build a gap, which I did.
"It’s a good job, too as the tyres were finished six laps from home and they were closing on me."
This result leaves Newsham eighth overall on the drivers leaderboard having amassed 146 points, while he is fifth in the independent driver standing on 176 points.
The next round of the championship takes place at Rockingham, Northamptonshire, on Sunday 23rd September.
