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A View From The Driver's Seat: Hi all, and welcome to the run up to the 2013 season

By Dave Newsham / MJP Media | 6 February 2013

In this first article, Dave Newsham looks back at 2012 and, following a busy Autosport International, looks forward to 2013 with Speedworks Motorsport.

In the driving seat: Dave is looking forward to the 2013 BTCC season

I have had a very busy new year so far with the Autosport International Show held at the Birmingham NEC. With autograph sessions, interviews and meetings with my new team Speedworks, sponsors and fans, it was without doubt the busiest Autosport Show have been to. It was great to catch up with my fellow competitors away from the circuit too - all seemed to be friendly and there was certainly a buzz about. I think we are all looking forward to getting back into our cars and Autosport made it seem like the season is getting closer. 2013 will, I am sure, be a classic BTCC season with full 32 car grids expected - sounds like carnage to me!

It was also my first meeting with my new NGTC Toyota Avensis. Whilst it looks similar to the car that Tony Hughes raced last year, this one is new, lighter and improved. If it goes as quick as it looks, then there should be some worried competitors out there right now. All the feedback from the weekend was how good the car looks, but I am also convinced it can be very quick too and we can be challenging the works teams. Unlikely we will be ahead of them at the end of the season, but our aim is to win both Team and Driver's Independent's Titles.

Dave's 2013 Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis at Autosport International

Having won races and figured on the podium on six occasions last year in inferior equipment, I know I can do it, I also have faith in the team that they can do it too. Speedworks were the very first team to sign-up to the NGTC regulations, taking delivery of the very first NGTC racing car. That was two years ago and they have learned and honed the car over this period of time. Year three is when all their work should come to fruition. We have a good budget in place to be able to do the job properly without having to cut corners. I really could not be in better hands.

To win championships at this level however, takes more than a quick car, team and driver. There are a lot of drivers who can win races; it's getting the most out of all 30 races who win championships. Keeping a cool head, not taking too many risks and finishing races are the attributes needed for winning championships at this level. Still need to be quick though! Last year we had 9 non finishes, that's almost a third of the races we didn't score. Some of this was down to me, some down to the team / car and others down to other drivers. But which ever way you look at it, that's a poor result and one I have learned from.

Following 2012, Dave has his sights set on more podium finishes in 2013

Testing will commence late February in Portugal to simulate the weather we will be experiencing during our season - let's hope it rains a lot then!

I will keep you posted every step of the way through this column, including daily updates during the Portugal test. Keep it here for all the latest news, guys and gals.

Dave #17

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