Dave Newsham gets first run with STR León

2010 Elf Renault Clio Cup UK champion Dave Newsham had his first test with Special Tuning Racing at Donington Park today, as several teams took part in an open test at the Leicestershire circuit.

The conditions weren’t ideal, with rain disrupting the bulk of the session, but several BTCC drivers took to the circuit on one of the few permitted test days for the teams.

Championship leader Matt Neal was present testing the Honda Racing Team’s Civic, as were Eurotech Racing with their Vauxhall Vectra for Andrew Jordan, and Central Group Racing with Lea Wood, with the team scheduled to return at to the championship at the next round at Oulton Park.

The day didn’t go so well for the Hereford-based team however, with the newly rebuilt Honda Integra Type-R blowing an engine after just a handful of laps and the team’s day was over.

Dave Newsham got more running in however with Special Tuning Racing. The 43-year-old had announced just before the Thruxton meeting last month that he was departing BMW-squad Geoff Steel Racing to join STR, citing differences between himself and the team.

Newsham will now race one of the team’s SEAT Leóns, the same one raced by Phil Glew at Silverstone last season. The Super 2000 spec car is now outfitted with a 2.0 litre turbocharged BTCC Next Generation Touring Car engine built by renowned engine builders Lehmann.