Restart Racing is delighted to confirm that reigning BTCC Independent Drivers’ Champion Dan Lloyd will return to the team for the remainder of the 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.
Lloyd will be back behind the wheel of the Hyundai i30 N Fastback from the next round at Donington Park GP, reuniting with Chris Smiley and the team with which he enjoyed a hugely successful 2025 campaign.
The return brings a familiar face back to Restart Racing. Lloyd played a central role in the team’s breakthrough season last year, claiming its first outright BTCC victory with a memorable win at Silverstone before going on to secure the Independent Drivers’ Championship.
Together with Smiley, he also helped Restart Racing claim the Independent Teams’ Championship, completing a landmark season for the squad in only its second year of BTCC competition.
Although Lloyd stepped away from racing in the championship at the end of 2025, he has remained closely involved with Restart Racing throughout this season, working with the team on race weekends in an advisory role. His return to the cockpit therefore sees him step back into an environment he already knows inside out.
Pete Jones, Team Principal of Restart Racing, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have Dan back in the car.
“He knows the team, he knows the car and we know exactly what he is capable of. What we achieved together last year was incredibly special, so having the reigning Independent Champion back behind the wheel feels like a great fit for us.
“Dan has remained a big part of the team this year and has been with us at race weekends in an advisory role, so he has stayed very close to what we are doing and how the car has developed.
“He also has a brilliant relationship with everyone in the team and with Chris, which means he can come straight back in and get on with the job.
“We still have a lot we want to achieve this season and there are plenty of opportunities ahead of us. Bringing Dan back gives us a proven race winner who knows how to get the very best out of this car, and I think everyone in the team is excited to see what we can do together over the remaining rounds.”
Dan Lloyd said:
“First of all, I want to say that I know this is a difficult situation for James. I’ve been in that position myself before in my career and I know how tough it can be. He’s a very talented driver and a great guy, and I genuinely wish him all the best for whatever comes next.
“From my side, I’m absolutely buzzing to be coming back.
“Restart Racing feels like home to me and what we achieved together last year was something I’ll never forget. To win the team’s first outright BTCC race and then finish the year as Independent Champion was incredibly special.
“I’ve stayed really close to the team this season, working with everyone at the race weekends, so I’ve never really felt like I’ve been away from it. That makes coming back into the car feel very natural.
“I know the Hyundai, I know the team, and I know how hard everyone works behind the scenes. I’m coming back hungry, I want to enjoy it and, most importantly, I want to help the team finish the season as strongly as we possibly can.
“I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel at Donington.”
Lloyd will make his return to BTCC competition at Donington Park GP on 22/23 August before completing the season at Croft, Silverstone and Brands Hatch.