Restart Racing continued its strong start to the 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season with an impressive showing at the longest circuit on the calendar, Snetterton. Heading to the Norfolk circuit Chris Smiley, #22, led the Independents’ Championship with the Essex-based squad holding an advantage in the Independent Teams’ standings.
Saturday was a day of what could've been with Dan Lloyd, #123, narrowly missing out on the 'Quick Six' session by 0.097 seconds in seventh, while Smiley — after a strong showing in practice — qualified in 12th.
The opening contest on Sunday saw both the #22 and #123 Hyundai i30 Ns start on the soft compound Goodyear tyre. Lloyd started strong, making moves throughout the race to come home in fifth place, taking his first Independent victory of the campaign. On the other side of the garage Smiley made strong progress through the field, coming home in eighth overall and second in the Independents’, marking the team’s first-ever 1–2 Independent finish in the UK's premier motorsport series.
The second bout of the day saw both drivers again make quick starts. Lloyd would fight his way to the front of the field to mark the first time in which the Essex-based squad had led a BTCC race outright. Eventually the Huddersfield racer would bring home his second Independent win as a Restart Racing driver, crossing the finish line in fourth overall. Smiley would battle his way into fifth and earning an extra championship point by setting the fastest lap.
In the final race of the day, both Hyundai i30 Ns were set up for a strong prospect with the #22 due to start on the front row in second with the #123 behind in third. However, an electrical issue meant Smiley was unable to start the race on time and joined four laps down, effectively ending his day not classified. Lloyd, now on the hard tyre, made a strong start but was unable to hold position as the race unfolded. Eventually dropping down the order to finish 16th.
Despite the tough end to the day, Lloyd’s back-to-back Independent wins and two top-five finishes mark his strongest performance of the season so far. Smiley remains firmly in the mix with two strong results in the opening races and continues to show front-running pace. The team leaves Snetterton retaining its lead in the Independent Teams’ Championship.
Chris Smiley, #22 Restart Racing, said: “So that’s Snetterton over and done. Overall, a positive day. Race one this morning, we started P12 and raced our way up to P8. In race two, we got a good start and finished P5. Dan was the first Independent and I was second, so it was good points for the championship overall as well. The car felt really good.
"In the reverse grid for race three, we were meant to be starting P2, but unfortunately, an electrical problem meant the car wouldn’t start. The boys worked really, really hard in the garage to try and get it going, but yeah, I’m just gutted we didn’t get the opportunity to start from the front.
"We were on the hard tyre, but there were definitely still points available for both the overall and Independent championships. As I say, the pace has been good all day. I set the fastest lap in race two, the car felt great, and I’m really looking forward to Thruxton in a few weeks’ time.”
Daniel Lloyd, #123 Restart Racing, said: “A really good day. Two Independent wins, two top fives. A really strong result. Chris had a good race one and two as well, so we’ve increased the gap in the Independent Teams’ standings. It was really unfortunate for him in race three.
“I was on the hard tyre for the last race and we got pushed back a bit, but nevertheless, it was a really good day overall.
“I just feel like there’s a bit of a weight lifted off my shoulders after a tough start to the season, so I’m still really, really happy. The team did a great job, gave me a great car, and I just want to thank everyone for the support at the start of the season during a couple of tough rounds.
“I’m looking forward to Thruxton now.”
The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season continues in less than a fortnight as the series heads to the fastest circuit in the UK, Thruxton, on June 7-8 for Rounds 10, 11 and 12.
