Smiley returns for third year
BTC Racing has announced the return of Chris Smiley to complete his third full year in the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.
Establishing himself in 2018 as a regular top ten finisher, Chris showed strong pace as soon as he stepped into the Honda Civic Type R FK2 at the start of last season.
Despite limited track time, he competed hard all season achieving career highlights, including his first podium at Donington Park and first BTCC race win at Rockingham Motor Speedway in August.
He finished the 2018 season in 13th overall, 6th in the Independent Drivers’ Championship, and 2nd in the hotly contested Jack Sears Trophy, in which Honda works driver Dan Cammish took the honours.
Chris, a former winner of the Mini Challenge GB Title, is focused on the start of the 2019 season and it’s clear that he has high expectations for the coming season.
“I am over the moon to be back with BTC Racing. I was there from the start, and I look forward to continuing my BTCC campaign with them.
"I made great strides in 2018 and am focusing on the Independent Drivers’ Championship this year as well as supporting all the team.
"I have never been happy to make up numbers, so 2019 will only be a success for me if I have collected more wins. I cannot wait to get started and have been working hard over the winter to support these targets.”
Team Manager Zoe Timbrell added “We are so pleased that we have been able to keep Chris with us for a third year.
"We have all got to know him well, and his ambitions match those of BTC Racing perfectly. We are a close-knit team of people and he is part of the family now!”
Whilst things have appeared quiet from BTC Racing since the end of the season, it has been a busy few months.
The team was purchased by businessman Steve Dudman in October. “Bert and I have been friends since 1996 and we have shared the same passion to race cars at the highest level to the best of our ability (and pockets), all of our careers. "Many will be aware that we have two race car licenses to run in BTCC. The news of our second driver will be announced very shortly."