Flo4Law Racing’s Benjamin Smith To Debut Full-Spec Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike At Circuit of The Americas
Flo4Law Racing, which fields team principal Bobby Davies, along with teammate Benjamin Smith, in Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup, is upping its game for the team’s home race at Circuit of The Americas.
While Davies will race his Stock 1000-spec Yamaha YZF-R1 in Superbike Cup, Smith will make his Steel Commander Superbike debut at COTA on a full Superbike-spec Yamaha R1 built by Freddy Carswell and his crew at Superbike Unlimited.
A long-time technical partner with Westby Racing, Carswell has been anxious to get back into Superbike, and Flo4Law Racing came up with an opportunity that suits Carswell, Flo4Law’s founder Florencio “Flo” Moreno, and Smith.
Smith will run his usual number 78 at COTA, and the Yamaha’s livery will feature Flo4Law Racing graphics with a touch of Superbike Unlimited branding to signify the collaboration between Flo4Law and SBU. Photo courtesy of Superbike Unlimited.
Also, Smith had an opportunity to test the bike at Barber Motorsports Park, with Carswell and crew in attendance. Everyone at the test was encouraged by how well Smith performed, and also how well the bike suited Smith.
“We’re incredibly excited to commence this relationship with Ben Smith and Flo4Law Racing,” Carswell said. After Westby Racing’s unexpected departure, I felt a profound loss and a strong sense of ‘unfinished business’. Since then, we’ve been not so quietly tooling up a Yamaha race program at Superbike Unlimited with the blessing of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS) and with technical support from Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. (YME), but we hadn’t addressed a few key components; a rider and a partner with an equal passion and drive for success in this sport.
“I feel we’ve found a great match in Ben and Flo, and I’m looking forward to the synergy our team will bring to the paddock.
“I’d like to extend special thanks to YMUS, YME, Steve Korol of Evol Technology, Chuck Giacchetto of Giaccmoto Racing, and Richard Stanboli of Attack Performance for helping SBU get this thing going and also encouraging the process. We’re thrilled to arrive as Flo4Law Superbike Unlimited in Austin!”
Flo commented, “Ben Smith deserves to be on a Superbike, and we’re honored to be in a position to make that happen. We look forward to learning and growing with this opportunity, and we would like to thank Superbike Unlimited for their trust in our team. Much like how we run our Texas-based law firm, Flo4Law Racing wouldn’t throw our hat in the ring with the big teams if we didn’t think we were in a position to compete. Stay tuned, we’re just getting started.”
Smith added, “For the past 10 years of my professional career, the ultimate goal has been to be given a shot on a true Superbike. After an incredible first season with my Flo4Law Racing team thus far, I am more than honored and grateful to be granted this opportunity. We were able to complete a very positive test on the bike about a month ago, and I think it will bode well for us coming into COTA.
“This will be my first weekend on a Superbike of this caliber, and I can’t thank Freddy at SBU enough for entrusting me to showcase their machine. I have been working hard to make the most of the opportunity I have in front of me, so the goal will be to put on a show for the home Flo4Law crowd with a solid three races. I can’t wait for everyone to see this thing on track. We’ll see you all in Texas!.”
Smith and Davies will compete in three Steel Commander Superbike races at COTA, with one of the races scheduled for Saturday, and the other two races on Sunday.
