AmD Tuning were celebrating come the conclusion of the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season at Brands Hatch after Dave Newsham‘s Jack Sears Trophy success, the West Thurrock-based team hopeful of running a second Ford Focus in 2015.
The team’s switch to NGTC machinery from a Volkswagen Golf in 2014 proved an inspired decision for all involved, Inverness driver Newsham joining the team and instantly achieving silverware in a Ford Focus ST.
Newsham ventured into the top 10 seven times during the recent BTCC season, his racecraft enough to climb the most positions over the season from grid positions and therefore clinch the Jack Sears Trophy for 2014, a reward that the team’s former driver and now team boss, Shaun Hollamby, says was testament to the team and Newsham’s performances and determination.
Team boss Hollamby told The Checkered Flag afterwards that success was a nice reward for the team, saying: “Yes, exactly. It’s a reward for the team as well as the driver really.
“Here’s to 2015 where hopefully we’ll have two Focuses on the grid.”
“The rule awards consistency and reliability with the car which has been fantastic. I’m really, really pleased for the guys.
“Dave did a great job keeping it on the island, proving he can overtake which is what it’s all about, so I’m really pleased because it’s something to take back and shout about.”
Hollamby added that that sport’s current regulations allowed the switch to a front-running car more achievable for the small Independent AmD squad, Newsham having secured a famous visit to the podium at his home meeting of the season at Knockhill which was a result his team boss remembers fondly.
Photo: btcc.net
“The NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) rules are what have allowed us to compete in this championship, and for a team like us to have had a podium like we did in the year [at Knockhill] is just fantastic”, he added.
“The car has been 100% reliable, and obviously the crew have worked fantastically hard to make sure that we could give Dave a reliable car.”
Hollamby, a former Jack Sears Trophy race winner 12 months prior, shifted attentions to next season in which he intends to run two Ford Focuses, saying: “Here’s to 2015 where hopefully we’ll have two Focuses on the grid.
“The first thing to do is of course seal a place on the grid”, admitted Hollamby, with the queue to acquire a TBL licence for 2015 already appearing a one of a large quantity of BTCC teams and drivers.
The AmD boss confirmed also that interest to fill the second seat has been found already, the team in dialogue with several drivers in preparation for next year.
“The places are quite hard sought after, so that will probably be the hardest job. After that, we’ve got quite a few drivers that we’re talking to, so let’s get in among it all and see how we get on next year.”
AmD Tuning themselves ended the recently-concluded season 10th overall in the Teams’ Championship, Newsham himself finishing 17th.
