i30 N TCR driver takes title fight to final race of the season

Victory in the first two races of the TCR UK season finale at the Silverstone International Circuit (October 12-13) allowed Callum Newsham to take the title fight into the very last race of the season, despite starting the weekend third in the standings.

Newsham was the driver to beat for most the event in his JH Racing-run i30 N TCR. He took pole position but was beaten off the line at the start of Race 1. Running second, he kept the pressure on the leader and was able to take advantage of a problem on the final lap to take victory.

The victory placed Newsham tenth on the partly reversed grid for Race 2, but he was able to make his way through the field at lightning speed. By the end of the opening 2.97km lap he was fourth, improving to second before the Safety Car was scrambled for an incident at the end of lap two. Once the racing resumed, he continued his charge taking the lead on lap five and pulling away to win by over 12 seconds.

The two results made Newsham an unlikely challenger to the title ahead of the final race of the season – having started the weekend third in points with only a remote chance of taking the title. Starting from pole position, a third victory was needed for him to have a realistic chance. However, the day ended in bitter heartbreak after he broke a driveshaft as he accelerated away from the line.

Still, Newsham, who only claimed his first TCR victory at the opening round of the season, finished the year tied for the most victories this year, with five wins as he finished third in the final standings.