BTCC Crazy

Newsham To Switch To STR

In a shock announcement, Dave Newsham will this weekend be driving for Special Tuning Racing after ending his association with Geoff Steel Racing.

Newhsam, who scored his first championship point at the wheel of the Geoff Steel Racing BMW, will unfortunately miss out this weekend at Thruxton but will line up on the grid at Oulton Park in the 2nd Special Tuning Racing SEAT Leon partnering Tom Boardman.

“I am sorry for Geoff Steel and the guys within the team, however circumstances made it impossible for us to continue with them,” said Newsham. “I personally enjoyed working with them, and I wish them well in their future ventures”.

With the deal breaking late in the week in the run up to Thruxton the STR team were unable to prepare the second car in time but Dave feels confident about the move.

“I’m very excited about the change to STR. I have met the team at their HQ in Forton, and was very impressed with their set-up and car preparation. The Seat Leon looks quick in Tom’s hands and it has a strong turbo charged engine. All the ingredients are there for us to have a great remainder of the season”.

Newsham currently lies 15th in the standings after his scoring a point in the opening round of the season. Oulton Park will see the 43-year old Scottish-based driver not only switch from BMW to SEAT but from RWD to FWD with the new Lehmann prepared NGTC engine powering the car which he is hoping to test before the fourth round of the championship.

Article originally written on Wednesday, 27 April 2011. Read more articles from the BTCC Crazy Archive.