Bryan Smith Leaves Monster Energy Kawasaki

AMA Pro Flat Track rider Bryan Smith announced that he and the Werner Springsteen Monster Energy Kawasaki team are parting ways. The two parties failed to reach an agreement for the 2011 season, so Smith will compete in the 2011 Harley-Davidson Insurance AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship under his own racing program. Smith will fight for the Expert Twins championship onboard the FastHog.com XR750 with long-time supporter Pat Maroney and American Harley-Davidson in his corner.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Werner Springsteen Team, Monster Energy and Kawasaki for giving me the opportunity to race with them. I have gained a tremendous amount from the experience, and I will always cherish putting Kawasaki in the record books. I think Kawasaki will be very successful in the Grand National Championship, and I wish the Werner Springsteen Monster Energy Kawasaki Team and rider, JR Schnabel, the best of luck,” Smith said in the press release announcing his departure from the team.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise after Smith scored Kawasaki it’s first-ever victory in the Grand National Championship Expert Twins class when he won the prestigious Indy Mile. He also rode to victory in the Springfield Mile aboard Kawasaki’s 650cc Twin and was instrumental in its development, working hand-in-hand with legendary tuner Bill Werner and former AMA Grand National Champion, Jay Springsteen. Smith also helped Kawasaki earn its first AMA Pro Flat Track Manufacturers’ Championship. Despite his departure with Kawi in the Expert Twins class, Smith will continue to compete in the Expert Singles events riding a Kawasaki KF450.

Smith has been competing at the professional level since 1999. In 2001, he was the AMA GNC Rookie of the Year and the 883 Sportster Series Champion. He also did a three-year stint with the factory Harley-Davidson “Wrecking Crew” team from 2006-2009.