Chris Smiley has been announced as the first driver for BTC Norlin Racing in the 2017 British Touring Car Championship season, piloting one of the team’s pair of Chevrolet Cruze race cars.
The team, who are based in Northern Ireland, have secured a multi-year deal with leading hotel development company Norlin, which has allowed 24-year-old Northern Irish racer Smiley to return to the BTCC grid.
Smiley made his début in the championship in 2016, but only contested the first half of the season with Team HARD due to a budget shortfall.
“For me, this is the start of my BTCC career,” said Smiley, whose best result in 2016 was a point-less 16th place finish at Thruxton. “I didn’t really get enough running this year to learn anything, so I am beginning afresh. I will be able to properly attack the championship in 2017.
“I am grateful for the people who have stood by me – and the guys at Norlin have been so enthusiastic. They are family friends and we have been able to put together a team of highly talented people. I really can’t wait to get started.
“We want to be solidly in the top ten to start with and build from there. There is no reason why we shouldn’t be expecting podiums and strong results from reversed-grid races over the latter part of the year.”
BTC Norlin Racing have purchased the TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs) previously held by Power Maxed Racing, along with their two Chevrolet Cruze race cars.
Team Principal Bert Taylor believes that the team, which took a sabbatical from the championship in 2015 and 2016, can move forward up the grid, having not finished in the points since 2008.
“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Norlin and to get Chris on board is a real coup,” said Taylor. “I worked with Chris at Team HARD this season and saw first-hand what a talent he is. He is utterly focused on his career and is dedicated to winning, which is the same passion that we have as a team.
“We have expanded the backroom staff at BTC Norlin Racing and have brought in expertise. We have taken on staff that have worked with the likes of RML and Triple Eight, so we feel confident we can move forward.
“We have chosen to run with the Chevrolet initially because it is a car we know well, and we have run them before. In the longer term, our plan is to become a constructor in our own right, and that is the aim for 2018.”
Norlin Chief Executive Richard Irwin is looking forward to his brand being involved in the BTCC and further representing Northern Ireland.
“For years, Northern Ireland sportspeople and teams have been challenging the leaderboards at global level,” added Irwin. “Motor sport is no different and this is an exciting time for a new team from Northern Ireland to be entering the BTCC. We want to build a brand that our sponsors, team, country and sport are proud to be associated with.”