Chris Smiley delighted by maiden BTCC success

Chris Smiley admitted his delight at breaking his BTCC duck with victory in the final race of the weekend at Rockingham.

The BTC Norlin driver led for most of the race at the wheel of his Honda Civic Type-R to secure his maiden success after an assured performance on track, taking the lead at Deene when a number of cars ahead slid off in tricky conditions and then easing away from the pack behind after an early safety car period.

The win was the second of the season for the team and came after a strong run to fourth spot in race one, despite heavy front-end damage after clipping team-mate Dan Lloyd’s spinning car on the opening lap, and seventh with additional ballast onboard in race two.

“The last five laps felt like five years,” he said. “I feel I drove the car to perfection in that final race and didn’t make a single mistake – everything I know about racing a touring car, I used. I got away and maintained the gap and then when I crossed the line I could hardly breathe with the emotion. It’s great for me, and the sponsors and the team, as a lot of effort goes into doing this and I’m pleased for everyone involved.

“I needed that win as I said at the start that of the season that I had to do it this year – and it would be great if we can get another one before the season is over. Our only downfall this season has been the fact that we have gone to every meeting lacking time with the car with whichever circuit we are at, but we have shown here that we can qualify well and then pick up the results. Things aren’t always going to go your way as we have seen this year, but we know we can be right in the mix.”