Newsham in surprise move to Special Tuning Racing

Newsham will switch from BMW to SEAT at Oulton

BTCC rookie Dave Newsham has announced that he will make a switch to Special Tuning Racing for the fourth event at Oulton Park in June for rounds 10-12, and will also miss this weekend’s races at Thruxton.

The reigning Clio Cup UK champion made the step up to British Touring Cars this season and started strongly by scoring his first points at the opening event at Brands Hatch, but has announced his departure from Geoff Steel Racing due to what he described as ‘irreconcilable differences’ that lead to the decision.

After a difficult weekend last time out at Donington Park in which two startline accidents ruined his weekend, Newsham had since been undergoing talks with STR, and following successful negotiations has now officially signed a contract to race for the team for the rest of the 2011 season alongside Tom Boardman.

The 43 year-old will however not be racing this weekend at Thruxton due to the team’s second NGTC turbo-fitted SEAT Leon not able to be fully race-prepared for the weekend, but will make his debut for STR at Oulton Park in June for rounds 10-12.

Newsham told Touringcartimes: “I am very excited about the change to STR.”

“I have met the team at their HQ in Forton, and was very impressed with their set-up and car preparation. The SEAT Leon looks quick in Tom (Boardman)’s hands and it has a strong turbocharged engine. All the ingredients are there for us to have a great remainder of the season.”

Newsham’s departure from Geoff Steel Racing now means that the independant team are highly unlikely to appear on the grid this weekend.

The situation is also not aided by the added loss of sponsorship Newsham brought to the team. The team had initially planned to run two BMW 320sis bought from Motorbase for the current season, but opted to run Newsham as a sole car carrying backing from his own business.

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