Newsham wants rewards that team's effort deserves
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POWER Maxed Racing have not been rewarded for their hard work this season, according to driver Dave Newsham.
A frustrating debut campaign for Adam Weaver’s team sees both of their drivers, Newsham and Josh Cook, sitting outside the top 10 and the former is irritated by the roadblocks that seem to keep being put in their path.
A potential P1 qualifying spot was controversially scrubbed out at Thruxton after race officals deemed Newsham to have exceeded track limits, while at Snetterton he was taken out by Tom Ingram after breaking into the top ten.
Throw in the introduction of a new tyre by Dunlop at Oulton Park and you can see why the Westhill racer’s frustrations have been mounting.
“We showed really good pace at Snetterton but were fired off needlessly. It was a mistake by Tom Ingram but it’s just unnecessary. It’s costing us big style,” said Newsham.
“We beat Jack Goff in the first race and he ended up winning the last one.
It’s hugely frustrating — there’s always something keeping us out of that top six or seven.”
Race seven on the British Touring Car Championship calendar is Knockhill this weekend, where Newsham has a good record. His second career win came at the Fife course in 2012, which was followed up a year later by a top 10 finish.
Last year was his most successful, however, with top 10 finishes in the first two races and then a second-place finish inthe last race of the day, all the more remarkable considering he had lost his mother 48 hours earlier.
It also gives him a home-course advantage of sorts, with it being the only BTCC race in Scotland.
“It’s always a good place to race touring cars because more often than not you’re on two wheels instead of four,” said Newsham.
“I’m expecting a bit of home-crowd support with it only being two-and-a-half hours away.
“A reverse grid helped us last year and there’s a fair bit of luck involved in that.
“We just need two solid finishes for a reverse grid, which will put us in great position for a podium finish.”
The 48-year-old’s podium at Knockhill last year was the first ever for the AmDTuning.com team and he is keen for a repeat performance in his new team colours.
Power Maxed bought out BTC Racing earlier this year to enter their maiden BTCC season and to date, their best finish with the Chevrolet Cruze is Newsham’s sixth place at Donington in race weekend two.
His preparations for this weekend have been hampered by a toe injury sustained while riding trials bikes after Snetterton, however he is confident it will have no ill effect when he heads to Fife.
“It’s at the back of my mind and will be back to normal by race time,” added Newsham.
“I was concerned when it first happened but it won’t stop me putting on a race boot.”
