Newsham ready for Knockhillposted in BTCC30 | 08 | 2011
THE BRITISH TOURING Car Championship makes its annual visit to Knockhill in Fife this weekend, and the UK's biggest motorsport series not only has a Scot fighting for the title, but it's returning to the halcyon days of the Nineties.
Under the ever-watchful eyes of robust Aussie Alan Gow, who has done for BTCC what Bernie Ecclestone has achieved for F1, the tintop action has again captured the imagination of the nation.
It's helped, of course, by the fact ITV now beams six-hours of live action from all 10 meetings into living rooms across the country on a Sunday afternoon.
And while the thrill-a-minute driving by some of the best saloon car racers in the world makes for addictive viewing, this year is seeing one of the closest fights for the championship unfold.
With just four meetings — each with three races — remaining, including this weekend's encounter at Knockhill, four drivers are covered by just 20 points at the head of the title race.
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But while former champs Matt Neal and Jason Platon lie third and fourth in their respective Honda and Chevrolet racers, the series is being led by Mat Jackson's Ford, with Fifer Gordon Shedden second, just eight points adrift.
And while understandably most eyes will be on the 31-year-old from Dalgety Bay, another adopted Scot will be bringing his band of Highland supporters to cheer him on.
Inverness-based Dave Newsham is in his first season contesting the BTCC and, having switched from the BMW in which he started the season, he heads to Knockhill having enjoyed his best weekend of the year at Snetterton a fortnight ago in his new Special Tuning Racing Seat Leon (pictured leading at Snetterton).
“It was only my third event with the team," the 45-year-old said this week, "but Snetterton showed just how much the car and I have gelled. I’d say we are now genuinely showing mid-top 10 pace.
See more photos of Dave Newsham in action
"I don’t think I got the results I merited there either so I’m going to Knockhill pretty fired up. I really want to be on the podium and believe the Seat, given its past results there, is capable of it.”
Newsham, originally from North-West England but who moved to Inverness in 1994 to set up his successful NorScott coffee vending machine business, is no stranger to success at Knockhill. Twelve months ago he clinched the Renault Clio Cup Championship after dominating the season.
But while Newsham is hoping to mix it at the front, Shedden knows three strong results will help him on his way to becoming the first Scot to win the BTCC title since John Cleland in 1995.
"Of course racing at my home circuit will help," Shedden, who has won at Knockhill before, admitted, "but the championship this year is the toughest its ever been. We're in for a hell of a three races next weekend."
NOTE: Tickets for the British Touring Car Championship are on sale now and can be purchased via the Knockhill website. Tickets purchased in advance are subject to pre-booking discounts, tickets will also be available at the event on September 3/4.
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Jim McGill