Double British Supersport title-winners Smiths Racing have announced they will be expanding their team to a two-strong rider line-up for the 2016 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season, with Czech contender Jakub Smrz and Kent's Howie Mainwaring Smart.
The Gloucester-based team led by father and daughter Alan and Rebecca, have risen through the ranks of the support classes since their debut in the British paddock in 2010, becoming one of the most successful teams in the Supersport class in recent years. The team made their debut in the premier class in 2015 with the BMW S1000RR, scoring their first podium finish in MCE BSB at Cadwell Park.
Smrz joins the team for his first campaign on the BMW after experience in the championship with both Yamaha and Ducati, claiming top ten finishes and a pole position in past seasons. The Czech is now confident of a strong season with the Smiths Racing BMW team.
Kent-based Mainwaring Smart will also make the switch to the German manufacturer for his 2016 campaign and the MCE BSB race winner is ready to fight even harder next year after securing a string of top ten finishes this year.
Smrz said: "I'm very excited about this new adventure and really happy to join Smiths Racing for 2016. The team did very well in their first season in Superbike and showed that they have big potential. Having experienced staff and a lot of passion for racing, I'm sure that we will be competitive. I can't wait to start testing and begin working with the Smiths team to get my first impression of the BMW. My 2015 season wasn't my best for many reasons so I'm even more motivated for 2016 and working harder than ever before ready to get started."
Mainwaring Smart said: "I am really looking forward to the 2016 season and can't wait to start working with everyone at Smiths Racing and alongside a very experienced team-mate in Kuba. I feel with my team-mate's experience and my determination it will work really well and it will show with the results. To be honest I can't tell you how excited I am as words can't express my feelings. It's time to get my head down now and up the training ready for the first test on the bike which can't come soon enough."
Team Manager Rebecca Smith commented: "Running a two rider Superbike team was always something that we talked about and aspired to achieve and so it feels great to finally put this into place for 2016. We've had some great success and also a lot of fun in the Supersport class but the time is right for us to move the team on and fully commit to the premier class.
"We are welcoming the opportunity to work with both Kuba and Howie and believe that they will really complement one another. We will be continuing our progress from 2015 in staying with BMW for 2016. We have an extensive testing programme planned and are very much looking forward to getting this underway and beginning our 2016 campaign."
