TCR UK title contender Chris Smiley has been confirmed as the latest Team UK driver to compete at this year’s FIA Motorsport Games. Set to take place at France’s Circuit Paul Ricard, between 26th and 30th October 2022, this international competition will see competitors from all over the world compete in 17 different motorsport disciplines with the aim of collecting a gold medal for their nation.
Smiley, who has driven a Honda Civic Type R FK7 TCR run by Restart Racing in this season’s TCR UK Touring Championship, has been nominated by Motorsport UK to represent Britain in the highly competitive Touring Car category that features TCR-specification cars.
Having made his TCR UK debut at Oulton Park in April this year, the former BTCC front-runner made a seamless transition to the TCR grid by claiming pole position and going on to take a lights-to-flag victory in the opening round. A series of consistent high-scoring results since then has enabled the Carrickfergus-born driver to stay in contention for the title and, with two of the season’s 15 rounds remaining, Smiley jointly leads the UK edition of the championship for global specification touring cars.
Chris Smiley, Team UK FIA Motorsport Games Touring Car representative:
“It’s a privilege to be invited to join Team UK and take part in the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games. It will be very interesting to see how we fair against drivers and teams from the other countries represented.
“Paul Ricard is new to me, so I’m eager to learn as much as I can about the circuit and how the car reacts to it. I’m really looking forward to competing for Team UK and taking on the responsibility that comes with representing your country in a major sporting event.”
Bert Taylor, Team Principal – Restart Racing:
“The whole team is excited to be taking part in such a large global occasion and proud to represent Team UK at this year’s FIA Motorsport Games. We’ll be up against competitors from all over the world and we feel ready to step up to challenge.
“As well as Team UK, we understand that we will also be representing TCR UK. We therefore look forward to showcasing how far the championship has come over the past two seasons to become one of the strongest TCR series in the world.”
TCR UK Touring Car Championship Promoter Stewart Lines:
“I’m delighted that the driver chosen to represent the UK in the Touring Car category at this year’s FIA Motorsport Games is a TCR UK competitor.
“Chris (Smiley), Restart Racing and the Honda Civic Type R FK7 – together with the backing of JAS Motorsport – has proved an extremely strong package this season. I’m therefore confident they will provide Team UK with the best chance for success in the Touring Car category at the Games. We wish them the very best of luck! ”
The FIA Motorsport Games Touring Car competition begins on Saturday 29th October with two 30-minute practice sessions. A 30-minute qualifying session and a 25-minute +1 lap qualifying race will take place on Sunday morning, ahead of the main 30-minute +1 lap race on Sunday afternoon that will decide the medal-winning nations.
Further information can be found at the FIA Motorsport Games website.
