Sport   Other Sports   Touring Cars

A View From The Driver's Seat: Wow, what a great couple of days!!

By Dave Newsham / MJP Media | 1 March 2013

Following testing in Portugal, Dave Newsham tells us of his first experience of the new Speedwords Motorsport Toyota Avensis.

Testing the Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis in Portugal

Well, I am back from testing in Portugal and what a fantastic two days it has been.

Last week I was full of enthusiasm for the test, tinged with anticipation and wondering just what the car would be like. I was hoping for some good weather too after weeks and weeks of nothing but cold and snow here.

3 seconds faster than the WTCC pole position time - impressive!

When I arrived at the circuit I realised just why so many teams and events come here - it is not only beautiful, but demanding and very hilly and technical too. I knew this would be a true test for me and the car but as soon as I had done my first few laps I realised what a fantastic job Christian and the team had done on the car and I instantly knew what a good decision I had made in joining Speedworks. I was determined to repay their faith in me.

Now it was down to business and wow, what a car this is. It seems intuitive to drive, fabulous when you get it in the sweet spot and with a balance I could only dream of as we tested so many different set-ups. How can I describe what the car was like? Well, I think a lap time 3 seconds better than the WTCC pole tells its own story!!

The Speedworks Motorsport NGTC Toyota Avensis being launched at Autosport

We did have a couple of minor panics though. The first was when I really panicked as I thought we had blown an engine, but thankfully it turned out just to be a sensor. You have no idea how relieved we all were. The second was when I clobbered a kerb late on the last day and unfortunately bent the suspension - sorry Boss - causing us to abandon the last bit of testing.

However, I saw more than enough in the test to fill me with a great sense of purpose going forward and a real wish to get behind the wheel as soon as possible. What else can I say except thank you Christian and the Speedworks team for giving me such a great opportunity and a fantastic car for the test. Next is testing at Brands Hatch and then Media Day at Donington. Looking forward to those enormously.

See you all soon.

Dave #17

Touring Car content supplied by MJP Media