Mike Newton

14/4/1960

Record updated 11-Apr-06

Mike Newton is a long-term racing enthusiast, highly successful CEO of AD Group and founder of Dedicated Micros, the worldwide security equipment manufacturer. He and Thomas Erdos first paired up to contest the 2003 FIA GT Championship, sharing a Saleen S7-R and they have raced together ever since – Le Mans, Bathurst, Daytona and the Spa 24 Hour races included. Of late they have shared an MG Lola sports prototype; the EX264, also prepared by RML.

Newton’s two major passions are flying and motor racing; the former is reflected in the fleet of private business jets he operates through AD Aviation – another AD company - and the latter through his continued participation in motor racing.

His interest in racing is a longstanding one. Newton started out back in 1985 in locally based Formula Ford 1600 Championships. From 1995 to 1997, he finished in the top four – the highest being 2nd - in The Champion of Oulton Formula Ford 1600 series.

Other key landmarks in his racing career to date include: victory in the 2002 Daytona Grand-Am finale (GTS class) in a Saleen S7-R, driving his Ford Falcon EL to class victory in the 2001 Nurburgring 6 Hours and 6th overall in the 500km Super Touring feature race at Bathurst in 1999.

Newton has raced three times in the Le Mans 24 hours, claiming 6th in class in 2003 (Saleen) and then in 2004 helping the EX257 to its most enduring 24-hour run ever. However his most memorable result surely has to be last year’s victory in the LMP2 class – the first for a British team - driving the RML MG Lola EX264 to success alongside Tommy Erdos and Warren Hughes in a race notable both for its highs and lows.

Also in 2005 a final round LMP2 victory at Istanbul in the Le Mans Endurance Series, driving alongside Tommy Erdos, helped to secure a well deserved 2nd place in the LMP2 Championship.

Mike has also completed the Bathurst and Spa 24 Hour races – the latter four times – and finished fourth in the Daytona Prototype class at Daytona in 2004. He was back again this year for the fifth successive year, this time co-driving another Daytona Prototype entry with Tommy, Warren Hughes and Stefan Johansson.



With thanks to Tim Compston, AD Holdings plc