The Restart Racing driver has already conceded defeat in his quest to make it back-to-back titles having recorded two DNFs at last month’s triple-header at Knoc💫khill circuit in Scotland last month. 

Smiley finished the opening race down in ninth position before suspension failure on his Japanese hatch on the following day’s opening 25-minute sprint denied him a possiꦆble fi🌠rst win of the year. Moments before the setback he had moved past Matthew Wilson’s Cupra Leon and into the lead. 

The final race of a forge꧑ttable weekend also ended in𓆏 disaster for the Northern Irishman as his JAS Motorsport-developed car developed technical issues which forced him back to the garage. 

Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Silverstone’s National circuit for rounds 10 and 11 – ꦛthe first time the competition⛦ has visited it since 2020 – Smiley is currently ninth in the standings on 109 points, 164 behind current leader Carl Boardley, who is 36 clear of second-placed rival Bruce Winfield. 

“We have had some time to digꦬ into the troubles of the last couple of rounds and we are aiming to try some new things out this weekend at Silverstone,” the 31-year-old explained to ltxcn.top. 

“Silverstone is obviously a very different circuit to any of the other circuits on the calendar thi✤s year. We know it is a short, power circuit – so it will help that w🅷e are light. However, it is not necessarily a strong circuit for the Honda Civic Type R – so we will just have to see how we go. 

“Our plan for these last few races is just to𓆏 try new things and try and get some good results to end the year on a high. There is nothing to lose now except time to develop the car and be ready for 2024,” he added. 

Free Practice is due to take place on Saturday from 9.25am followed by qualifying at 11.50am to help determine the look of the grid for Sunday’s opening ♐25-minute sprint (1.35pm). It will be followed by race two at 4.25pm. 

Following Silverstone, teams will visit Donington Park National (September9-10) and Brands Hatch Indy (Octo🅠ber 21-22) respectively.