Newsham targets BTCC return
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DAVE Newsham is not entertaining any thoughts of life as a British Touring Car Championship driver being over after one year, but concedes it will require a significant investment to allow him to challenge at the top.
After graduating from comprehensively winning the Renault Clio Cup in 2010, Newsham realised his dream of competing on one of motorsports biggest stages this year.
The campaign, which finished at Silverstone last month with the Inverness driver taking a season’s best fourth place finish, was one of mixed fortunes for Newsham, but the trials of tribulations, including changing teams at the start, have failed to dampen his belief that he can put down a challenge to the more recognisable names such as Jason Plato, Gordon Shedden and reigning champion Matt Neal.
In order to be able to do so, however, he will require strong financial backing, possibly as much as £300,000, which Newsham accepts may be difficult to raise in the current economic climate.
"The British Touring Car Championship is the pinnacle of motorsport," said Newsham, who is managing director of Inverness-based Norscott Vending Services. "If you leave, the only way you can go is down.
"Ultimately, if we can’t afford to go back into the BTCC then we would look at going into the Porsche Carrera Cup, but that’s not something I’m even looking at just now.
"I’ve already spoken to two or three teams and they all want to talk to me a bit further, so just now it’s about trying to get the money together.
"I’ll have a chat with my sponsors and see what we can do, but it is huge sums we are talking about in order for me to go to a top team.
"Your probably looking at around £300,000 and although you can take part for a lot less, you won’t be challenging at the top and I want to be as competitive as I can be.
"There is one team in particular who are prepared to put everything behind me and I would be instrumental in all the decision making.
"They are not a top team yet, but we would be going into it with a brand-new car, so that’s certainly a possibly.
"The only thing is they want to start testing at the turn of the year, which would perhaps mean I have to have the money together for the end of this year.
"It’s not much time, but I am keen to get testing under way as soon as possible because that was one thing I didn’t do this year."
Newsham began the season just passed with Geoff Steel Racing, but freely concedes that he soon realised they were not up to his own high standards.
After two retirements at Donington in April, the 44-year-old swiftly departed to join Special Tuning Racing. Although Newsham enjoyed some impressive results, the problem was that his team-mate Tom Boardman was the son of the owner, meaning it was more geared towards bringing him success.
Despite all the setbacks, Newsham maintains he was living the dream having aspired to compete in the BTCC since he began racing.
"It’s absolutely massive," he said. "It’s got a great following and when you go away for a race weekend it’s pretty full on.
"The whole thing is just very professional and very competitive.
"I’ve watched it for a long time, but to go to actually competing in it is something else.
"I was a bit starstruck at the first race. However, you soon get over it and realise the other drivers are simply your rivals.
"Even though it was difficult at times, I think I’ve opened a few eyes with some of my performances.
"I’ve had some nice comments from a few other drivers who have said I’ve done a pretty good job, so hopefully next year I can make even more of an impression."
Anyone interested in learning more about the sponsorship opportunities available with Dave Newsham can request an information pack by sending an e-mail to dave@norscottvending.co.uk
