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James Dorlin Returns to BTCC With Restart Racing for 2026

He steps into Dan Lloyd’s vacated Hyundai seat at Restart, debuting at the Croft pre-season test.

Overview

  • The 26-year-old Yorkshire driver will race a Hyundai i30 Fastback N for the reigning Independent Teams’ champions, with Chris Smiley widely expected to be the second driver although not yet officially named.
  • Dorlin replaces 2025 Independent Drivers’ champion Dan Lloyd, who has stepped away from the series.
  • His first outing in the Restart Hyundai is scheduled for the official BTCC pre-season test at Croft on 24–25 March.
  • The move follows a curtailed 2025 rookie campaign with Speedworks in which he reached the Quick Six multiple times and scored a best finish of seventh at Thruxton.
  • Separately, Senna Proctor has joined the Alliance-run NAPA Racing UK squad as reserve driver and coach to Sam Osborne.