Shepherd and Newsham Shine as TCR UK Kicks Off 2025 Season at Donington Park
The TCR UK Touring Car Championship commenced its 2025 season with three exhilarating races at Donington Park’s National circuit on March 22-23. Adam Shepherd emerged as an early championship leader with two victories, while Callum Newsham also secured a win. Notably, newcomers, including teenage talent Finn Leslie, delivered impressive performances.
Qualifying
Adam Shepherd, driving the CUPRA Leon Competición TCR for Capture Motorsport, set the fastest lap in Saturday morning’s qualifying session, achieving an average speed of 103 mph around the 1.96-mile circuit. He edged out Callum Newsham of JH Racing, piloting a Hyundai i30 N TCR, by 0.166 seconds. Alistair Camp secured third in another Hyundai, followed by Area Motorsport’s Sam Laidlaw in a CUPRA Leon VZ TCR. Laidlaw’s consistent performance also earned him a front-row start for the weekend’s third race. His father, Steve Laidlaw, qualified sixth despite having three laps invalidated for track limit violations. Brad Hutchison of Bond It with MPH Racing placed between the Laidlaws in fifth.
Debutant Finn Leslie, transitioning from the Fiesta Junior Championship, impressed by qualifying seventh in his Power Maxed Racing Hyundai i30 N TCR, just over a second off the lead pace. Teammate and fellow newcomer Harry Bloor secured ninth, while seasoned Irish racer Rod McGovern completed the top ten. In the Gen 1 Cup, which features older TCR models, returning driver George Jaxon led the pack in his DW Racing Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.
Race One
Shepherd and Newsham maintained their front-row positions at the start. However, an incident involving Steve Laidlaw and Hutchison at Redgate Corner resulted in Laidlaw’s CUPRA being stranded in the gravel, prompting an early safety car deployment. Laidlaw managed to rejoin at the back of the field.
Upon resumption, Newsham closely trailed Shepherd until a power-steering fluid leak in his Hyundai led to a small fire, forcing his retirement. Shepherd then faced pressure from Hutchison but held firm to claim victory. Hutchison secured second place, while Alistair Camp recovered from a slow start to finish third.
Race Two
The second race featured a reversed grid for the top ten qualifiers. Despite starting mid-pack, Shepherd navigated through the field to clinch his second win of the weekend. Newsham, rebounding from his earlier setback, showcased resilience by finishing second. Sam Laidlaw rounded out the podium in third, marking a successful race for the Area Motorsport driver.
Race Three
In the final race, Newsham capitalized on his pole position to lead from start to finish, securing a well-deserved victory.Shepherd, aiming for a hat-trick, settled for second after a spirited chase. Alistair Camp once again demonstrated consistency by finishing third, reinforcing his presence as a championship contender.
The season opener at Donington Park set a competitive tone for the 2025 TCR UK Touring Car Championship, highlighting both seasoned drivers and emerging talents. The series now looks ahead to its next rounds, anticipating continued excitement and fierce competition.
