Reigning British Touring Car Championship Independents’ Champion Daniel Lloyd can today announce that he has made the decision to take a sabbatical from full-time competition in 2026.
Huddersfield racer Daniel emerged on top of a titanic battle for the Independents’ crown last season at the wheel of a Restart Racing-run Hyundai i30 Fastback N, seeing off the challenge of team-mate Chris Smiley and Power Maxed Racing’s Mikey Doble to take the title.
A first championship win in Britain’s premier racing series came at the end of a strong season for the Yorkshireman that included a fifth career BTCC victory at Silverstone, which also marked the first win for the team.
Given the progress made over the course of 2025 as the team got to grips with the Hyundai, Restart Racing team owner Pete Jones had expressed a desire to retain Daniel’s services for a second season, with a focus on attempting to defend the Independents’ crown.
However, with the ongoing growth of his sponsorship and management company, and an all-new business project that is set to launch later this month, Daniel has made the difficult decision not to take up a full-time drive for the season ahead.
Instead, the Yorkshireman will only contest a select number of ad-hoc races in various other series during 2026 as he instead puts full focus into his business commitments, which will include yet-to-be-determined roles in the touring car paddock.
Daniel will also continue to work as a driver coach with JLC Group pair Chris and Jamie Hayes as they return to Britcar with their SEAT León Supercopa.
Daniel Lloyd said:
“The 2025 season turned out to a great year alongside Restart Racing, with the win at Silverstone and then the Independents’ title meaning we ended the campaign on a real high.
“Having known Pete for a number of years, he was keen for us to continue together into 2026 to try and defend the title and of course, the racing driver in me would love to be out there trying to do it all again. However, this is a decision that I’ve taken with my head rather than my heart, and with a focus on my long-term future.
“Last year saw me launch my consultancy business ProEdge Sponsorships and that has already grown and developed more than I expected it to in the first year. Going into the new season, the business will be rebranded as ProEdge Management with a number of drivers already signed up, and is going to require more of my time.
“There is also a new business automotive project that I’ve been working on behind the scenes and am planning to launch in the near future, which is something else I need to focus on.
“Considering all that, it’s the right decision to focus on my commitments away from the circuit, take a step away for a year and then focus on coming back stronger in 2026. I have to say a huge thank you to the sponsors and commercial partners who I have worked with, and who understand the reasons behind my decision. However, my relationship with a number of those partners will continue with my new project, which I’ll reveal in the coming weeks.
“I also have to thank the team for their support last year, and also all of the fans who have cheered me. I fully intend to be in the paddock in other roles this season – so you’ll certainly be seeing me around!”
Pete Jones, Restart Racing Team Principal, said:
“Dan was a key part of our journey in 2025. That win at Silverstone, the title, the memories, he gave us so much to be proud of in our first year together. While we would have loved to see him back in the car this season, we fully support his decision to pursue exciting new opportunities.
“Dan will always be part of the Restart story. I have no doubt he will be back around the paddock, and he will always be welcome in our garage.”
