Former two-time British Touring Ca💟r Championship race winner Dave Newsham will make his return to the series for Power Maxed Racing as Kelvin Fletcher's replacement for this weekend's Knockhill meeting.

Fletcher is set to return to fray in time f🍷or Rockingham but misses the BTCC's annual voyage to Scotland due to the imminent birth of his first child.

"As much as I love the BTCC, and I love to race, the birth of my first child is not💝 something I can miss, Liz is due any day now, and I just can't be in two places at once," said Fletcher.

"I feel like I have been making progress this y𒁃ear and am aware that I don't want to lose the momentum, and the BTCC demands 100% focus, but I want to be there to support 🌃Liz.

"It is great to see fellow PMR driver and local hero Dave step ﷽in for Knockhill, he has an excellent track record there, and I caꦕn't think of anybody I'd rather have to keep the seat warm."

Newsham is no 🦋stranger to Power Maxed Raci♐ng having driven for the Chevrolet outfit alongside MG's Josh Cook last season.

Despite losing his BTCC seat for 2016 the 49-year old has remained꧋ an integral part of the PMR fold due to his British Rallycross commitments with the squad.

Newsham achieved his best ꧋overall finish of ninth in the 2012 drivers'ꦅ standings after clinching both of his BTCC wins for the ES Racing.com Vauxhall outfit during that season.

His last podium in the series ironically came at his home circuit after famously finishing second for the AmD Tun🌠ing.com squad.

"The BTCC has alway♍s held a special place in my heart, and when Adam (Weaver) approached me to stand in for Kelvin, I couldn't get the word yes out fast enough. The team and car were great last year and with the upgrades for th🐓is year; I can't wait to get back behind the wheel.

"Kelvin has made significant progress in the car this year but family 🐻is family, an♏d we'll keep our ears open for baby news this weekend."