Following a strong opening weekend at Donington Park, Restart Racing arrived at Brands Hatch with Chris Smiley leading the Independents Drivers’ standings, aiming to build on the team’s early momentum.
After a quick showing in free practice, Smiley was slightly disappointed to qualify 11th, while team-mate Dan Lloyd secured eighth, highlighting promising pace heading into the weekend’s three races.
Lloyd was handed a five-second time penalty for a start infringement in race one but showed great pace to climb up to seventh before the penalty was applied. Meanwhile, Smiley, running on the hard tyre, faced a tough battle but maintained a solid pace, ultimately finishing 12th. After the penalty, Lloyd finished ninth, putting both drivers in a good position to push forward in race two.
The second bout started with a tough opening lap for Lloyd, dropping from ninth to 12th after running wide at Graham Hill Bend. In contrast, Smiley made a strong start, moving from 12th to ninth. The #22 continued to push, overtaking Mikey Doble to take the Independents’ lead on the next lap. Showing his race craft, Smiley battled with then championship leader Tom Ingram, eventually making his way past and setting up a move on Ash Sutton.
Lloyd’s fortunes failed to improve as he was forced to pit after running through the grass at Surtees and McLaren, whilst Smiley made the most of a late restart, producing a move by reigning champion Jake Hill to claim fifth, before passing Charles Rainford to secure fourth and the Independent race win. Lloyd finished in 21st, having done all he could to salvage something from the race.
The reverse grid race saw Smiley start ninth but made a brilliant start, and he eventually secured fifth at the finish, claiming his second Independent win of the day. Lloyd crossed the line in 22nd, having fought hard throughout the race.
Smiley retained his lead in the Independents’ Championship, while Lloyd remains confident that his pace will soon be rewarded. The team also leads the Independents’ Teams Championship after another strong weekend.
Chris Smiley said: “Another really positive day here at Brands Hatch. We started off the day feeling like we were out of position. In race one, we took the hard tyre, moved up a few positions, and finished P12. The pace on the hard tyre actually gave us a better end to the day, and it was a real strength for us.
“In race two, we started P12 and moved up to P4. It was one of those races where we were making good moves and showing strong pace. It’s just a pity the safety car stayed out as long as it did. I really think that if the safety car hadn’t stayed out so long, we would have been on the podium.
“Race three, starting in P6, we gained one place and finished P5, taking another independent win. So, two independent wins out of three races today.
“Really looking forward to Snetterton in a few weeks’ time. We were strong there last year, so I’m really looking forward to heading back.”
Dan Lloyd said: “To sum up today, disaster. Another disaster. The weekend started really well again, with positive pace. We nearly got into Q3.
“Race one, we finished seventh on the road, but got unlucky with a five-second penalty, and it just got worse from there. In race two, I got caught up in someone else’s incident, which meant I had to come into the pits.
“For race three, we had to run the hard tyre, starting from the back, so the pace just wasn’t there to move forward. Just another day to forget for me.
“But on the positive side, the car is quick, so my time will come.”
Restart Racing and the rest of the BTCC grid return to action in just over one weeks time at Snetterton (23/24 May) for Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the 2025 campaign.
