Kiyonari returns to BSB at Oulton with Smiths BMW

Three-time MCE British Superbike champion will return to action at Oulton Park next weekend after signing a deal with the Smiths Racing BMW team. 

Kiyonari was left without a ride after being dropped by the Bennetts Suzuki squad at Brands Hatch last month following a difficult start to the season with a number of poor results. 

However, the Smiths Racing team have given him a lifeline after a positive test at Donington Park. Kiyonari remains one remains one of the most successful riders in the championship, with 50 career wins to his name and he’s determined to recapture the form that put him in the title fight in 2014 with BMW. 

“I am happy to be back for Oulton Park with BMW and I am hungry to end the season with good results – I want to try and win again and fight for podiums, and so far this year hasn’t been easy,” he said.

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“I had a good test with the team so I could work with them for the first time and already we made some good changes with the setting and I enjoyed riding the BMW again. It has a different engine and chassis feeling to the BMW I raced before, but already I have a good feeling which is important.

“It is good that my first race with the team is at Oulton Park as I have won many times there and had strong results, so I hope we can make a good start to the final rounds of the season there. I want to thank my sponsors and also Alan and Rebecca for this opportunity and I am looking forward to Oulton Park.”

Smiths BMW team manager, Rebecca Smith added: “We are really excited by the opportunity to work with Kiyo for the remainder of 2016. It goes without saying that we haven’t had the greatest of seasons and despite investing heavily in the development of the bike we have been unable to achieve results.

“Kiyo has proven that he can compete on a BMW and as one of the most successful riders in the British Championship everyone in the team is relishing the opportunity to work with him. On top of all of that we’ve already got him reading The Farmers Weekly!”

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