Ducati Superbike
A new motorcycle racing team is gearing up to enter the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship.
The World Superbike team is called Liberty Racing, and is owned by the Liberty CZ Group which is based in the Czech Republic. It will take part in the 2011 WSBK championship using Ducati 1198 machines.
The rider chosen to spearhead the team’s attack will be 27-year-old Jakub Smrz from the Czech Republic, who has been on several team’s shopping lists this year and who has considerable experience on Ducati machinery.
In 2008 Smrz rode a customer Ducati 1098 RS for Guandalini Racing. He finished the 2008 season in 13th place in the championship.
For 2009 Smrz earned his first podium finish (3rd) in the fourth round of the season at Assen and first pole position in the eighth round at Misano Adriatico, finishing 10th overall on the year.
Smrz remained with the team in 2010, running under the B&G moniker after a partnership deal with the former Sterilgarda Ducati team.
After a string of mechanical failures midseason, the team switched to an Aprilia RSV4, marking the first time Smrz had ridden anything other than a Ducati in the class. Smrz is now back to his Ducati roots.
The Liberty Group is involved in the business of food and office supplies. And also owns Effenbert beer, which has been present in the championship as a sponsor for a few years.
After a couple of World SBK seasons spent learning ‘the ropes’, the Liberty Group has now decided to invest in new team premises, based in Prague, the company headquarters.
