Oulton Park, Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)
Hi I’m Dave Newsham and I’m new to Club Together although I’ve been a member of The Caravan Club for a few years.
I started racing motorcycles at the age of 7 through to my teenage years and then moved on to Karting.
I progressed to cars in 2004 at the age of 37 and raced ‘Legends’ at national level, winning many races and featuring inside the top three in all but one of the four seasons. My highlight at this time was competing in the World Finals at Infinion Raceway just outside San Francisco in 2006 where I was ranked joint 3rd in the world.
At the end of the 2008 season, I was invited to participate in the final event of the Elf Renault Clio Cup Championship at Brands Hatch as part of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) support series.
I had never raced a front-wheel-drive car or raced on slick tyres before, but I wanted to progress my racing career with something more high profile – and as a life-long fan of touring cars, I hoped that this might be the introduction needed to one day participate.
With 25 Clio cup regulars on the grid I was worried that I would struggle. Worry not... I qualified 3rd on the grid and finished on the podium in my very first race.
I enjoyed my first full season of Clio Cup in 2009 racing with the Amery team. I finished 5th overall, with many podiums and one race win.
In 2010, having switched teams to Pyro, I dominated the Elf Renault Clio Cup Championship, taking 15 pole positions and 12 race wins, winning the championship with four races remaining. A feat that has never been done before...
2011 was my first year in Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) racing a Seat Leon with STR. I scored a best finish of 4th, led races and earned a fastest lap. I was regularly matching, if not beating my vastly experienced teammate Tom Boardman.
2012 and I moved teams to ES Racing. ES purchased two Ex Works VXR Vauxhall Vectra S2000 cars from Triple8. This was enough to convince me to sign with a team who have never troubled to top ten before. Although the car was one of the oldest on the BTCC grid, I was immediately at home in it and was hoping for great results.
Pole position for the very first race of the year suggested a good season could be on the cards. This was followed by two race wins, two 2nds, and two 3rds. Fastest laps and amongst the top drivers for the most amount of racing laps led completed an amazing season.
Then, to be awarded ‘Fans Favourite Driver of the Year 2012’ was a massive honour. Voted for by probably the most committed and knowledgeable fans in motorsport is something that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Last year I won the coveted Jack Sears Trophy Championship, this trophy is awarded to the driver who has improved their starting positions for each race during the season, most overtakes of the season in other words with a total of 106 places gained.
2015 has seen me change teams again to Power Maxed Racing. Time will tell if this is a good move for me, but first impressions are very encouraging. Expect to see me on the podium this year. No pressure...
With the fourth race weekend of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) taking place this weekend at the picturesque Oulton Park Circuit in Cheshire, I am busy getting prepared.
I am putting my team's Power Maxed motorhome cleaning products to the test, and using plenty of elbow grease to get my Autotrail into tip top condition for the Journey from Inverness to Oulton Park.
My journey will be over two legs, with an overnight stay at one of the excellent Caravan Clubs CL sites, as there are 400 miles between myself and the circuit.
I will be at the circuit for three nights and it is great to have my Autotrail on-site to give me a base, as the weekend is very busy I sometimes need to lock myself away between races to focus on the next race.
I have won many races at Oulton Park, it is one of my favourite circuits, trouble is it is the favourite of most racing drivers. My dream for the weekend is to add to this tally by steering my Power Maxed Racing Chevrolet Cruze to the top step of the podium. With the season being one of the most competitive in decades, it will be no easy task but my car is getting better with each race, and I can promise you I will be giving it my all...
You can watch all the action LIVE on ITV4 over the weekend, and keep upto date with all the news, results, offers and competitions at davenewshamracing.com and powermaxedracing.com
If you are at Oulton Park, please pop by and say hello.
If you’re interested in BTCC I will also keep you updated with all my results and race reports and travels in the motorhome on Club Together.
Thank you for your support.