Multiple Isle of Man TT and British Superbike Championship race winners Smiths Racing have announced this weekend’s 2020 BSB finale will be its swansong outing after choosing to wind down its motorsport operation.
The family-run team has established itself as a force on both the national and international road racing scene with numerous victories, while it reached the six-way BSB Title Showdown on three occasions between 2017 and 2019 with Peter Hickman.
Now after a decade of success, Smiths Racing reveals it has taken the tough decision to step away from motorsport in its entirety.
“We have had a wonderful experience and gained lots of fantastic memories in the British Superbike and Supersport Championships and at the TT, NW200, Ulster GP and Macau GP over the past decade or so,” said team owner Rebecca Smith.
“We have enjoyed a lot of success but now as a family and a business, we wish to concentrate our efforts in other directions.
“I would like to thank all of our riders, team members, sponsors, fans and organisers who have been instrumental in our successes over the years. Whilst it is the end of an era for Smiths Racing as a family-owned and operated team, some elements will continue in a new guise and we wish everyone involved good luck for the future.”
Debuting in the British Supersport Championship in 2010, success came quickly for the outfit with podiums in its maiden season, earning it official backing from Triumph and two titles with Glen Richards in 2012 and Billy McConnell in 2014. A move into BSB followed in 2015 with McConnell but it was the signing of Hickman in 2017 that took it to its finest success, scoring fourth overall that year.
Hickman went on to establish himself as arguably the finest road racer of today with wins at the TT, Manx GP, Ulster GP and Macau Grand Prix. The team also holds the TT lap record with Hickman, achieved in 2018.
Hickman has already announced he’s sourced a new ride for 2021 in BSB and on the roads, but as yet hasn’t confirmed which team it will be with.
