A View From The Driver's Seat: It's half time and still all to play for!
By Dave Newsham / MJP Media | 31 July 2013
Following the summer break, Speedworks Motorsport driver Dave Newsham is keen to get racing again as he looks forward to Snetterton this weekend and the second half of the 2013 BTCC season.
Dave with Speedworks Motorsport team-mate Ollie Jackson
It has been nearly six weeks since the last round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Croft. We finished the last race with our best result so far this season - 5th place - so we are making progress, however I can't help feeling disappointed with the results we have had so far. That said, I have come to a new team, racing a completely different type of car and it's taken time to dial my driving style in to the car and there is no question, my Speedworks Motorsport team have taken a step forward too. We are working very well together and pushing hard to get the results we feel we deserve.
Since the last race I have taken time off, had a nice holiday and I am now fully refreshed and raring to go. As a bit of a recce and to sharpen ourselves back up after the break, we had a test last week at Snetterton and it felt great to be back in the car again.
Dave hopes to repeat his 2012 Snetterton success this weekend
We started with our base setup that has been honed since our test in June where we found a chunk of pace and the car was beautiful to drive. We tried many different setups at this test which maybe didn't work. It might sound daft, but it is almost as important to rule setups out as it is to find something that actually works. The last thing we want as a professional team is to waste valuable time during the race meetings gambling on setups.
The test highlighted that we now have a very well balanced and stable car that I can push really hard with. We will find out this weekend if it is as quick as it feels. My gut feeling is that it will be. In addition to these gains in performance and handling, you have to dial in my experience of this circuit.
Dave has confidence in the Speedworks Motorsport team
At Snetterton last year, I qualified in 3rd place on the grid, just half a tenth off pole position and went on to win race three. I love this track and looking at the calendar of events, we are now visiting my favourite tracks. After all, a year ago I won races not only at Snetterton, but at my home circuit of Knockhill. I say 'home' because Knockhill is only 142 miles from my front door and that is as close as it gets - Snetterton is 552 miles! This all adds up to us having a strong second half to the season.
Thank you all for your support. Let's hope I can give you something to cheer about for the second half of the season!
Dave #17
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