Chris Smiley made his British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) debut in 2016, driving a Toyota Avensis for TLC Racing. Although his debut season was cut short, he gained valuable experience and showcased his potential in the highly competitive series.
In 2017, Smiley returned and embarked on his first full BTCC season with BTC Norlin Racing. Piloting a Chevrolet Cruze, he steadily improved throughout the year, achieving a season-best finish of ninth.
The 2018 season was a breakthrough for Smiley. Competing again for BTC Norlin Racing, he secured his maiden BTCC victory at Rockingham in the third race of the weekend. This win, coupled with a second-place finish at Donington Park, propelled Smiley to 14th in the championship standings, nearly halving his position from his debut season. His success at Rockingham remains his sole BTCC victory to date, but it was a clear indication of his growing competitiveness in the series.
In 2019, Smiley returned to Honda machinery, driving for BTC Racing in a Honda Civic Type R. The season saw him return to the podium on multiple occasions, including a second-place finish in the opening race at Croft.
The 2020 season brought a new challenge as Smiley switched to EXCELR8 Motorsport, driving a Hyundai i30 Fastback N. Despite the change in machinery, he continued to perform well, adding another podium finish to his career achievements.
In 2021, Smiley continued with EXCELR8 Motorsport in the Hyundai i30. While he narrowly missed out on a podium finish, with a season-best result of fourth, he demonstrated consistent pace and competitiveness throughout the year. This would be his final season in the BTCC before a two-year hiatus.
Now, after a brief break from the championship, the Northern Irishman is set to make his return to the BTCC in 2024. Smiley will be driving a Cupra Leon for the new Restart Racing team, bringing his experience and determination back to the grid. Fans will be eager to see how he performs in his comeback season as he looks to add to his impressive BTCC career.
