Chris Smiley and Scott Sumpton's #222 and #29 Cupra Leon’s embraced Restart Racing’s debut season with open arms. As with all new entries an element of learning was expected, but with direction from BTCC race-winner Smiley, the team enjoyed plenty of points finishes en route to finish second in the Independent Teams’ Championship.
Donington Park
The #222 advanced through to Part 2 of qualifying in the teams’ very first session, leaving an air of optimism heading into the first race day of the 2024 season. The mood would only improve on Sunday as that Saturday performance translated into points instantly.
In what was a weather-delayed opening bout, Smiley’s Cupra Leon would come home in 15th to earn the team its first-ever BTCC point. The opening bout would see him finish in front of two NAPA Racing UK Fords, the eventual winners of the Teams’ Championship to add to the celebration.
Croft
It was 18 rounds before Restart racing would first taste victory in the Independent’s category. Championship leaders Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing had won the previous 17 races before the newest two-car entry ended the streak at the North Yorkshire-based circuit.
Despite starting on the final row of the grid, the #222 would gain eight positions in an action-packed race to bring home the first-place trophy. The first event after the summer break saw this result kick off a nine-race run of points-scoring finishes for the Essex-based team.
Knockhill
Heading north of the border it was Sumpton’s turn to fly the Restart Racing flag as the rookie doubled the teams’ win tally in the Independent category. The result would be the #29 cars joint-best overall result of the year in 11th place, resulting in a quarter of all points scored across the 2024 season.
Similar to Smiley’s victory, Sumpton started the bout on the final row working the Cupra Leon’s way forward to take top spot at the Dunfermline-based circuit.
Silverstone
Continuing the steep upward trend that the team set for themselves in the second half of the season, the results would get better and better all the way until the penultimate event of the year. Smiley would take the team’s best result with a sixth-place finish in the heavily weather-affected day.
The result was the best for any Cupra Leon across the season let alone for the team themselves. As has been the trend in 2024 for the #222, the result was based on an overtaking frenzy as Smiley started the race from 13th on the grid.
