Eurotech’s Brett Smith is aiming to compete in the British Touring Car Championship full time next season.
Smith joined the grid at Snetterton to replace father Jeff Smith, who was involved in a multi-car collision at Croft last month. The 25-year old took points in only his third ever BTCC race, finishing 14th after two retirements earlier in the day.
The achievement means Smith is meeting his own target of points finishes, and is already thinking about next season.
“[The aim is to] just try to get top 15s and, come the end of the year, top 10s, and maybe try to sneak a reverse grid,” he told Overtake Motorsport ahead of his first race.
“I’m under no illusions how difficult it is.
“I think next year, realistically, we can start pushing for top 10s more so.”
When asked, Jeff Smith – who is also Eurotech team owner – told Overtake a 2018 drive for Brett will depend on his performance this season.
The BTCC rookie is currently leading the MINI Challenge Championship by more than 100 points after 15 races. The championship has prepared many other drivers, including Rob Austin and Martin Depper, for the BTCC, and Smith believes it has become a proving ground for touring cars.
“I can’t talk up the Mini enough,” he said.
“It’s so similar, just like a baby brother to the touring car, so it’s put me in quite a good stead.
“It’s just a little bit more of everything, basically. It’s a bit of a proving ground now, the Mini.”
Feature image credit: Caroline Rhea
