Speedworks Motorsport have announced that 2010 Renault Clio Cup Champion Dave Newsham will drive one of their NGTC Toyota Avensis in the 2013 British Touring Car Championship.
Inverness based Newsham, who took a brace of victories at the wheel of the S2000 Team ES Racing Vauxhall Vectra en route to 9th in the Championship standings tested with the team last month at Donington Park.
“It was a good test, and it gave me the chance to see how the Speedworks engineers work. I have every faith in the team and its staff that they are going to deliver me a quick car and that we will work together well. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be right at the sharp end,” explained Newsham, who will race with the colours of Hughes Safety Showers alongside No Fear Extreme Energy and Coffeedrops, Newsham’s own vending company.
“I have to say a massive thank you to Tony Hughes for his help in putting me in a great car for the coming season. Tony has done a great job driving for Speedworks for the last two seasons and without his help I don’t think that I would have been able to do this deal. The Hughes Safety Showers name will be loud and proud on the Toyota,” concluded the 45yr old.
For Speedworks Motorsport Team Principal, Christian Dick, the announcement that Newsham has signed for the team is one that has excited him, having chased the racer for the last few years.
“We have tried to do something with Dave for the last couple of years but for one reason or another it hasn’t come off,” adds Dick. “Finally pulling it off for 2013 is great and we are excited for the potential results. Dave is no slouch – he’s proved his pace this season, kept out of trouble and scored some good results. He will be one of the front-running drivers next year and we are all very excited about working with him.”
The team hope to announce Newsham’s team-mate in the near future, with the 2013 British Touring Car Championship getting underway at Brands Hatch, Kent over the 30/31 March.