Eurotech Racing will retain the services of Brett Smith for the 2018 British Touring Car Championship, finalising the outfit’s three-car assault on the series.
Smith completed a half-season with the Midlands-based outfit last year after father Jeff was ruled out on medical grounds following a crash in qualifying at Croft.
Stepping up from the MINI Challenge, he followed up impressive times in testing with points on his championship debut at Snetterton in July.
He finished the season with Jack Sears Trophy triumphs at Silverstone and Brands Hatch and simultaneously secured the MINI Challenge title.
He will now join the returning Jack Goff and new addition Matt Simpson in the Eurotech stable ahead of 2018.
“Obviously the circumstances around me coming into the BTCC weren’t ideal,” commented Smith.
“It would have been great to share the grid with my Dad as I have done in the Mini Challenge, though we are all still hoping that can be realised with a swift recovery!
“Nevertheless, it’s always been a dream of mine to race in the BTCC. It has a rich history, and it’s an unrivalled spectacle but for me it’s the challenge of beating 31 other drivers who on their day are also capable of beating you.
“There are very few other championships in the world which can lay claim to that and it’s my intention this year to build upon the steady progress I made between Snetterton to Brands Hatch and to be towards the front, challenging for podiums and, with a little bit of reverse grid luck, possibly even a win in 2018.”
“The BTCC is a monumental step up from any other UK championship,” explained Eurotech Team Principal and father, Jeff.
“With Brett having had no testing in the Honda Civic Type R, we were initially quite conservative on car set up.
“Whilst I have always been aware of Brett’s natural talent as a driver, I like many others were taken aback by just how quickly he got to grips with BTCC. As we saw in Free Practice at the final race weekend at Brands, he was fully committed.
“Unfortunately in qualifying, he was caught out by the rapidly changing conditions. Had this not happened, I’m sure he would have been right at the sharp end and would have got his maiden podium. Given this success, I see no reason for Brett not to be challenging very hard this year and look forward to seeing him on the podium.”