The team returned to the track last week for a two-day test at Croft Circuit, putting the new cars through their paces ahead of the 2025 season. With both Chris Smiley and new signing Dan Lloyd behind the wheel, we made valuable progress, despite a few early technical setbacks. Here’s how the drivers summed up the test.
Chris Smiley
“A pretty productive two days at Croft. We had the usual first-day niggles with the car, including a few electrical problems, but on Thursday we made really good progress.
I was working with my new engineer, Martin Broadhurst, getting to know him and also the new car. We made a few setup changes without throwing loads of new tyres or brakes at it, which meant we could properly evaluate the changes and stay grounded in our approach to the new season.
In the last session on Thursday, I really started to feel at home in the car, and I can’t wait for our next time out at Media Day on the 15th of April at Donington Park. See you all there!”
It was the team’s first running of the new Hyundai i30’s. Photograph: JEP
Dan Lloyd
“It wasn’t a great test for us in terms of overall running, but during the laps I did get, I felt at home and comfortable with the car straight away.
We got off to a really good start on the first morning, everything felt great, but we ran into some teething issues, which is to be expected with a new car. Unfortunately, those developed into something more serious than we’d hoped.
That said, the little running we did was really positive. We just need more time on track, and the team are working around the clock to fix those issues and get the car out again before Media Day.
Finally, it was a big positive to see Chris going so well and making progress with the car, that’s great learning for the team.”
Dan Lloyd made his first appearance as a Restart Racing driver at his local circuit, Croft. Photograph: JEP
The team’s next confirmed action will be at the BTCC Media Day on 15th April at Donington Park.
