Chris Smiley will be venturing into his third full season of racing in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship as BTC Racing have announced they are to retain him for 2019.
Under pressure to perform following the team’s switch to Honda Civic Type R’s at the start of 2018, Chris handled said pressure superbly to become a regular top ten finisher before finally scoring his maiden BTCC victory in the final race of the day at Rockingham.
Finishing thirteenth overall, sixth in the independents and second in the Jack Sears Trophy, the Northern Irishman has ambitions to climb both championship tables whilst also gunning for more silverware in the new season.
“I am over the moon to be back with BTC Racing.” Said Chris,
“I was there from the start, and I look forward to continuing my BTCC campaign with BTC Racing. I made great strides in 2018 and am focusing on the Independent Drivers’ Championship this year as well as supporting all the team at BTC Racing.
“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.”
BTC Racing Team Manager Zoe Timbrell confirmed that Chris is the right driver for the squad. “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!”
