How it Began
We knew we would be in the TCR UK Championship early in April, this wouldn’t normally be an issue however, the season started the weekend of the 16th and we had to go to Europe to pick up the car. Chris hadn’t driven the car and the team had precious little time to prepare, the car was even still in its ‘old livery’. Bert and the team worked miracles to get to Oulton Park ready for free practice with sponsors on the car, website and social media set up, the team in ‘team’ clothing and everything ready to go racing.
What a mammoth effort from all concerned and a big thankyou to all the partners and supporters who helped in getting to the first round at Oulton Park.
Unbelievably Free Practice at Oulton Park was Chris’ first time driving the car.
How it’s Going
Who would have thought back in April that coming to the final weekend of the season at Snetterton we would be competing for the TCR UK championship and the following weekend be representing the UK at the FIA Motorsport Games?
Just as we thought the 2022 race season was coming to a close, albeit an exciting one with the final round of the TCR UK coming up on the 23rd October, another amazing racing opportunity surfaced which we simply could not turn down.
Restart Racing has been nominated by TCR UK to represent Team UK in the FIA Motorsport Games, which is being held in France at Paul Ricard, on the 28-30th October 2022.
TCR UK 2022 Season
What a first season in the TCR UK for the team, by the time we attend Snetterton we will have driven with three different liveries on the car, pole positions, fastest laps, race wins and some contact with short excursions over the grass. All in a days work for a racing team.
Oulton Park International 16th – 18th April
Qualified on pole and led the first race from lights to flag, second race was reversed grid and Chris made up positions.
Donington Park GP 28th – 29th May
This was a British GT and GB3 weekend, some great cars on display and superb racing.
Qualified on pole in the new livery, contact in the first race and a stirling drive in the second after starting in the pack.
Brands Hatch Indy 18th – 19th June
P6 this time out in qualifying and a P2 in the first race followed by a DNF and a P8 in the third race of the day.
Oulton Park Island 16th July
P6 again in qualifying and a P4 in the first race followed by another P4 to conclude the day. Chris finished the weekend leading the championship.
Castle Combe 6th August
Third pole of the season followed by a clutch issue in the first race which meant making up a lot of places was imperative to maintain the challenge for the championship. Chris managed to finish 5th which was amazing, what a drive.
This is another example of where the quality of the overall team can be admired as a new clutch was fitted to the car and Chris was ready to race again for the second race where he ended up with a 3rd place, fastest lap and Driver of the Day.
Donington Park National 29th August
P2 in qualifying with Adam Shepherd in P1 breaking the TCR UK average speed record. Chris finished the first race on the podium in P3 and was hit from behind early in the second race for a DNF.
Everyone left Donington in the knowledge it would go to the final weekend at Snetterton with several drivers still in contention for the TCR UK title.
TCR UK Finale at Snetterton 22nd – 23rd October
Image Credit – https://www.snetterton.co.uk/
It all comes down to the final rounds of the championship to decide the winner of the TCR UK series for 2022. What a season it has been with some excellent racing, exciting overtaking manoeuvres and the rise of the championship with new followers and viewers.
It must be said that Stewart and Nicki Lines have done an excellent job this season, Paul O’neill and Andy McEwan around the drivers and providing excellent commentary and Phil Kinch has driven the online presence. I know there are many people behind the scenes who have contributed towards making this season such a success.
The timetable for the showdown on Sunday looks like this:
Free Practice: 9 – 9.15
Qualifying: 10.40 – 11.10 – Watch Live – https://youtu.be/RMxjAWq0TPk
Grid Walk: 13.00 – 13.20
Race 1: 13.30 – 14.05 – Watch Live – https://youtu.be/wgr5p0LMEoo
Race 2: 15.40 – 16.05 – Watch Live – https://youtu.be/IHuRCZbJblU
The top of the championship looks like this:
Chris Smiley – 315
Isaac Smith – 315
Adam shepherd – 289
Bruce Winfield – 285
Lewis Kent – 255
We will be leaving Snetterton and pretty much straight off to Paul Ricard in France.
FIA Motorsport Games
Restart Racing will be making the journey across to France to represent Team UK, previously represented by Rory Butcher, in the Touring Car sector of the event. Chris will be joined by many other Touring Car drivers from across the world to compete against each other for the overall title.
We are delighted to have been provided with such a great opportunity to compete at a global event, ‘I am very privileged to be representing Team UK in the FIA Motorsport Games. We are very thankful for the opportunity and I am exceptionally proud of Restart Racing who have been given the chance to showcase themselves at an international level. The team have been very busy preparing themselves and the car for the tremendous challenge ahead and we feel ready for the opportunity to prove ourselves.’ said Chris.
We’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has made this possible, including all of our sponsors.
We cannot wait to get stuck in, see you all in France!
