Championship Glory: Restart Racing’s Breakthrough BTCC Season

Published on November 10, 2025

The 2025 British Touring Car Championship season will be remembered as the year Restart Racing proved its BTCC credentials. Across ten intense rounds, the team battled through highs, heartbreaks, and history-making moments to claim both the Independent Teams’ Championship and the Independent Drivers’ Championship, with Dan Lloyd securing the title and Chris Smiley finishing third.

It was a season that had everything: the team’s first ever overall podium, its maiden BTCC race win, and a pair of drivers who refused to back down from round 1 to 30.

The story began back in April at Donington Park, where Restart Racing debuted its newly developed Hyundai i30N. From the very first laps, it was clear this was a car and a team ready to compete in 2025. Smiley and Lloyd both showed encouraging pace, scoring solid points and laying the groundwork for what would become a landmark year.

It was a tough opening weekend for Lloyd, who recorded two DNF’s.

Smiley took his first Independent win of the season in the 2nd race of the campaign.

At Brands Hatch Indy, the second round, consistency was key. Both drivers banked valuable finishes well inside the top 10 but it was Smileys’ double Independent win that pushed the team towards the top of the Independent standings. At this point, it had been a tricky start to the season for Lloyd, but by the time the series reached Snetterton for Round 3, the pace in the car had truly been unlocked. Lloyd claimed his first Independent win of the season, with Smiley finishing close behind to secure the team’s first-ever 1–2 finish in the Independents’ category, a historic moment for Restart Racing and a sign of things to come. The team also led a BTCC race for the first time with Lloyd duking it out with the Manufacturer Ford Focus of Dan Rowbottom in the meeting’s second race of the day.

The team lead a BTCC race outright for the first time after Lloyd charged into the lead in race 2. He’d eventually finish 4th with Smiley in 5th.

Lloyd picked up his first Independent win of the season at Snetterton to kick-start his title charge.

The momentum carried into Thruxton, where both drivers delivered another weekend of strong points. Smiley led the way, another Independent win, while Lloyd added further consistency to his campaign with three point scoring finishes. Despite a post-race exclusion in race three for Smiley, which cost him his second Independent win of the day, the team left Hampshire leading both the Independent Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships.

Then came Oulton Park, a weekend that cemented Restart Racing’s arrival as genuine front-runners. Smiley stunned the paddock by qualifying second, equalling his career best and giving the team its highest ever grid slot. He converted that into Restart’s first overall podium with a third-place finish in Race 1, while Lloyd charged from the back to twelfth after being excluded from qualifying for a minor ride-height issue. The weekend unravelled after race 1 with mechanical setbacks and a race-ending alternator fault, but Oulton Park proved this team could mix it with the best.

Smiley en route to take his 2nd place on the grid at Oulton Park. The team’s best qualifying of the season.

In round 13 of the season Smiley claimed the teams first ever overall BTCC podium with 3rd at Oulton Park.

The summer break brought time to reset before Croft, Lloyd’s home circuit, where the team were greeted by huge Yorkshire crowds. Lloyd battled overheating engine issues all weekend but still managed an Independent win in Race 1, while Smiley’s pace was cruelly undone by contact and serious bad luck. The final race ended in heartbreak as both cars were failing to make it passed the first lap, Lloyd’s engine finally let go, and Smiley was the innocent party in a multi-car collision.

At Knockhill, the team’s resilience shone again. On the tight Scottish circuit, both drivers worked tirelessly in rather hot conditions, for Scotland, to secure points and Independent wins. Smiley was back on form, claiming a clean sweep of all three Independent victories to retake the championship lead, with Lloyd close behind. It was a statement weekend and further evidence that Restart’s consistency and teamwork were proving to highlight championship-winning qualities.

At this point in the season, Smiley really started to pull away in the championship race.

A dominant display at Knockhill saw Smiley take all three Independent wins.

It was back to Donington Park next for the Grand Prix loop, and it brought both triumph and frustration in equal measure. Smiley delivered two Independent wins on track and finished fourth overall in Race 2, only to lose the result due to a ride-height infringement caused by a suspected slow puncture. Lloyd stepped up, taking two Independent wins himself to keep his championship hopes alive and further cement the team’s grip on the championship.

Smiley looked in control of the championship until he was disqualified from race 2 at Donington Park.

The momentum shifted as Lloyd took a pair of Independent wins at Donington Park.

The trip to Silverstone, however, was where Restart Racing made history. In front of the ITV cameras and a packed crowd, Lloyd stormed through to take the team’s first-ever BTCC race win, leading all but one lap and holding his nerve under immense pressure from reigning champion Jack Hill. As he crossed the line, the entire Restart garage erupted, mechanics leaping from the pit wall, engineers cheering through headsets, and team owner Pete Jones visibly emotional at the achievement.

Later that same day, the team provisionally sealed the Independent Teams’ Championship, a dream come true in only the team’s fourth competitive racing season.

Lloyd crosses the line at Silverstone’s opening race to seal overall victory.

The team celebrate their first overall BTCC victory at Silverstone.

That left just one chapter to write, Brands Hatch GP, the season finale. Lloyd arrived leading the Independent standings by five points over rival Mikey Doble, with Smiley close behind in third. The pressure was huge, but the pair delivered when it mattered most. Lloyd’s Race 1 win in the Independents gave him control of the title fight, while Smiley fought back in Race 2 to take Independent victory and keep his hopes of securing the title alive. However, it wasn’t meant to be for Smiley as, despite contact and a nervy encounter in the final race, Lloyd did exactly what was needed, bringing the car home to secure the Independent Drivers’ Championship, capping a sensational season that saw Restart Racing claim both Independent crowns.

The team celebrate the Independent Teams title after the final round at Brands Hatch.

Lloyd lifts the Independent Drivers title at the end of 30 hard-fought rounds.

Driver Reflections

Dan Lloyd:

“So that’s 2025 done. It’s been a year of ups and downs and, honestly, one of the toughest seasons of my career. I’ve really had to work for everything, on and off the track. There was a stage earlier in the year when I wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to keep going, so to end up as the Independent Drivers’ Champion is pretty emotional.

At the start of the season, the championship wasn’t even on my radar. I was just focused on keeping my head down, pushing on, and doing my own thing. Before I knew it, we were right in the fight, came into the final weekend with a lead, and managed to finish the job.

The big thing for me is what this team has achieved with this car. People might think it’s the same as the Excelr8 Hyundai, but it’s not, we started completely fresh this year. For the team to get it performing as strongly as it has, to the point where we took an outright win at Silverstone, is just incredible. Massive credit to all the boys and a huge thank you to everyone who’s supported me through the season.”

Chris Smiley:

“So that’s the season done and dusted. It’s really been a season of two halves. The first part of the year was solid, we were consistently qualifying near the front, and Oulton Park was definitely the standout, qualifying 2nd and finishing on the podium in race one.

The second half of the year, though, was tough. There were quite a few things that, honestly, were out of my control, and they’ve ultimately cost me a shot at winning the Independent Championship. But that’s racing. I accept it, and I’m genuinely pleased for Dan, he’s driven brilliantly all year and fully deserves it.

I’ve given it everything, and win or lose, it’s always a team effort. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved together. We’ll regroup over the winter, work hard, and hopefully come back stronger next season.”

Pete Jones, Managing Director:

“What a season. When we started the year, our goal was simple, to keep progressing, keep learning, and keep proving ourselves against the best in the BTCC. To now be sitting here as Independent Teams’ Champions and to see Dan crowned Independent Drivers’ Champion is beyond anything I could have hoped for.

It’s been a year full of highs and challenges, but through every setback this team has shown grit, determination, and belief. We’ve taken our first ever BTCC win, stood on the overall podium, and fought right to the very last lap of the season.

I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved, the drivers, engineers, mechanics, sponsors, and supporters. What we’ve achieved this year is a real team effort, and it’s something very special. We’ll take a moment to enjoy it, then start working to make 2026 even better.”