AmD Tuning team boss Shaun Hollamby has admitted that he is confident his team can run ‘towards the top ten’ at Rockingham this weekend, after Dave Newsham scored the outfit’s first BTCC podium last time out at Knockhill.
After 129 races of trying, Hollamby’s small team finally secured their first-ever podium in the championship in the final race in Scotland, with Newsham benefitting the most from the reversed-grid final race of the day to finish in second.
“Knockhill was the kind of weekend we’ve been waiting for all season, and gives a real idea of what the team is capable of,” said Hollamby. “We were able to stay out of trouble, the boys did a great job on the car and Dave was fantastic behind the wheel. Everything came together and we were able to benefit from it.
“The aim now is to try and repeat that at Rockingham. Although the circuit is very different to Knockhill, we’re confident that the work we’ve carried out on the Focus will allow us to run towards the top ten. If we can stay out of trouble in the first two races and benefit from the reverse grid again then who knows, maybe another top three result could be possible.
“Our first podium was a fantastic achievement and has given us a real boost. We can’t wait to get back out on track again this weekend.”
Newsham admits that the podium last time out – his seventh in the series – has emphasised the importance of making steady progression throughout the weekend where a strong qualifying position is not always possible.
“The podium at Knockhill was a massive result for us,” admitted Newsham. “We showed the pace we have in the car, and to run at the front and keep Colin Turkington at bay was a huge boost.
“We’re heading for Rockingham in high spirits as a result, and I’m hopeful we can have another strong weekend. It’s a circuit I enjoy and one that should suit the Focus.
“Knockhill showed how important it is to stay out of trouble and while I don’t think we’ll have the pace to qualify at the front, we’ll aim to chip away at it during the races and work our way forwards as we did in Scotland.
“My confidence is on a high and I can’t wait to get back in the car.”