Newsham steps into PMR seat at Knockhill

MOTORSPORT

BIDFORD-on-Avon race team Power Maxed Racing will draft in Dave Newsham as a stand-in for this weekend’s rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Newsham ends a season out of BTCC to replace Kelvin Fletcher in the three races at Knockhill.

Actor Fletcher, from ITV’s Emmerdale, is sitting out the latest round because he is expecting the birth of his first child so Newsham will compete in Fletcher’s Power Maxed Racing (PMR) Chevrolet Cruze.

Newsham last raced in the BTCC in 2015 when he had a strong season with PMR and remained with the Warwickshire-based team as he made the move to British Rallycross.

Newsham said: “I’ve loved racing in British Rallycross this season but the BTCC has always held a special place in my heart, and when Adam (Weaver, PMR team principal) approached me to stand in for Kelvin, I couldn’t get the word ‘yes’ out fast enough.

“The team and car were great last year and with the upgrades for this year I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel.

“Kelvin had made significant progress in the car this year but family is family and we’ll keep our open for baby this weekend.”

Fletcher, who has gone from strength to strength in his first season in BTCC, said: “As much as I love the BTCC, and I love to race, the birth of my first child is not something I can miss. Liz is due any day now and I just can’t be in two places at once.

“I feel like I have been making progress this year and am aware that I don’t want to lose the momentum, but the BTCC demands 100 per cent focus and I want to be there to support Liz.

“It’s great to see fellow PMR driver and local hero Dave step in for Knockhill. He has an excellent track record here, and I can’t think of anybody I’d rather have to keep the seat warm.”

Fletcher is expected to be back behind the wheel at Rockingham at the end of August.