Dave Newsham fastest on SEAT debut

Dave Newsham’s SEAT debut in the BTCC resulted in mixed results thanks to the changeable weather conditions. Despite morning rain, Newsham made his first appearance in the SEAT Leon on slick tyres, resulting in 12th place overall, but fastest lap as recompense.

“It was a team decision really as Tom wanted to go for slicks,” said Newsham to TouringCarTimes.

“Actually I was under the impression that most of the grid had gone for slicks. When I was sliding off all over the place I thought ‘How the hell is everyone else going so quick’, and it wasn’t until later on I realised we were the only ones on slicks.”

Newsham says that getting the car home was the main thing, particularly after his steering broke on the final lap following contact with a kerb.

“I was just lining up Tom Onslow-Cole and suddenly I had hardly any steering so I had to back off.”

Overall though Newsham is enjoying is first weekend in the SEAT.

“The car’s great. Qualifying was the first time that I’d been in the car on new slicks and it upset the balance of the car quite a lot, so it’s just getting my head into how this car works on new tyres and that’s just going to take time I think. I’m as quick as Tom on old tyres.”

Newsham’s hopes for race two is “either dry or wet, but not in between like it was last time,” although conditions at the Cheshire circuit look like disappointing him.