Czech contender Jakub Smrz will return to the British Superbike Championship grid in 2018 with the PR Racing LLoyd & Jones Bowker Motorrad BMW team, aiming to build on his previous season with the Liverpool-based squad.
Smrz was a consistent points scorer last season with the highlight of the year coming at Silverstone when he scored the team a top five finish.
“I’m very happy to be staying with PR Racing for another year so I need to say thank you to John and Julian for the opportunity. Last season we started from zero but improved throughout the season and scored some good results and I felt very happy and comfortable with the team,” said Smrz.
“Last year we had some highs and lows, but we found a lot of areas we can work on and it’s great to stay on the same bike and build on our experiences. We had a very positive test in December so we have already started to develop and improve some of those areas and I can’t wait to get back to Spain and get our 2018 season started.”
The team will also have a double pronged attack of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship with Sam Coventry and Luke Hedger joining the team’s 2018 line-up.
Coventry said: “I’m really excited about staying with PR Racing for this upcoming season, can’t thank John and Julian enough for supporting me and giving me this opportunity to continue working with this experienced and professional team, can’t wait to get back on the Bowker Motorrad BMW for testing. In terms of myself I’ve up my game this year in terms of diet and fitness and I can’t wait to challenge at the front of Superstock 1000, the class is always extremely competitive but there’s no reason I can’t be a front runner with PR Racing on the Bowker Motorrad BMW.”
Hedger added: “I’m really excited to finally announce my plans for this year. I can’t wait to get the season started with PR Racing on the Bowker Motorrad BMW. I’m thrilled that John has given me this opportunity. I believe with a year of experience under my belt in the Superstock 1000 class, and in a well established team I can battle for the 2018 championship.
“I am excited to get to Spain and get some laps in on the BMW ready for the first round at Donington Park. I would like to say a massive thank you to John from PR Racing, Bowker Motorrad BMW, and all my sponsors for getting me to this point.”
