The team is busy getting ready for the start of the season in late April, where it will run a pair of CUPRA Leons for Smiley and team-mate Scott Sumpton, who both drove for the team during its 2023 campaign in the TCR UK championship.
Jones adds his experience to the team’s management tier as it works to develop its relationships with existing partners and brands, while also bringing more onboard as the team embarks on its exciting programme in the UK’s largest and most established motorsport category.
Ben Taylor, team principal, said:
“We’re delighted to have Third Millennium continue to work with us, and for Pete Jones to have increased his involvement with the team as we join the BTCC. Jones has become a key member of our operation, and we have big plans for the future, so it’s fantastic we get to tap into his experience, knowledge, and passion for this sport.”
Pete Jones, Managing Director of Third Millennium, said:
“I have no illusions about the challenges ahead, but I have never been one to do things because they are easy. I have great belief in this team, having been supporting many of them over the last four years, and am glad to bring my expertise to the management structure this year. This is a big step for Restart Racing, and my goal is to ensure the team has a sustainable future, developing the commercial strategy with a particular focus not only on this year, but for its long-term future.”
Chris Smiley said:
“Third Millennium have been a fantastic partner to have these last four years, and I’m delighted that Pete Jones is now involved with the team as it goes to the deep end this year as we move into the BTCC. This is going to be an exciting programme, but also a big challenge, so we’re glad to have his experience onboard as we take this on and chase for independents’ success this year.”
About
Restart Racing has prepared, raced, and won at some of the most famous race circuits in the world. The team has built up a wealth of experience in the motorsport industry and made it its business to consistently build and run race-winning cars.
Over the years the team has run cars by manufacturers such as Honda, TVR, BMW, Chevrolet, Vauxhall, Porsche, Hyundai and Volkswagen in the BTCC, GT3 sports car series, and Hot Rods.
In 2022, our Essex-based professional team competed in the hard-fought TCR UK Touring Car Championship with Chris Smiley at the wheel, pitted against a total of 16 other teams. Having collected our race car from Honda’s specialist preparation company in Italy only days before the start of the season, Chris went on to secure pole position and win the first race at Oulton Park, and would go on to win the championship at Snetterton at the final round.
It turned out to be a great season of racing at some of the UK’s premier circuits, culminating in the team being chosen to represent the UK at the prestigious FIA Motorsport Games at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, where Chris Smiley finished in eighth position against competitors from around the world.
In 2024, the team heads to the UK’s premier motorsport category, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, with Chris Smiley returning to the series where he’s a proven race winner, competing with a pair of CUPRA Leons.
The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is one of the best-loved, most illustrious and famous motor racing championships in the world. Only Formula 1 and America’s NASCAR stock car series have longer histories – since its inception in 1958, it has attracted and captivated millions of fans around the world.
The BTCC’s two-litre formula continues to provide one of motor sport’s most addictive, action-packed atmospheres for an audience of millions. It is the perfect platform for teams, drivers and sponsors to raise their profiles and reputations.
