2013
MotoGP rookie Bradley Smith is to race an R1 Superbike in the second round of the Qatar International Championship.
The race - at the same circuit where Smith will make his premier-class debut on April 7 - will conclude a busy trip to the Middle East for the Englishman, whose main goal is to promote motorcycle racing and advise local riders at some special track days.
First stop for the 22-year-old Monster Yamaha Tech 3 star will be the Bahrain International circuit on Saturday, where he will ride the R1 road bike prepared by Pete Beale Racing at a track day.
On Sunday he will be on hand to assist and offer advice to up and coming racers in a special practice day at the home of the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix.
Smith then moves onto another F1 venue, the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, and also Dubai for a couple of track and practice days with road riders and racers.
He then completes his Middle East adventure on more familiar territory in the second round of the Qatar International Championship at the Losail International circuit.
Triple grand prix winner Smith will ride in practice and qualifying on the Friday and then two 15-lap championship races organised by the QMMF on the Saturday.
“I'm so looking forward to this trip - helping up and coming riders, riding new circuits which I've only seen on the television and to be honest enjoying a bit of sunshine,” explained Smith before flying out.
“I've been pushing really hard to make this happen. Of course it's great preparation for me before
MotoGP testing gets underway in Sepang but also I'm certain there is some real racing talent in that part of the world.
“You only have to see how
MotoGP has exploded in Malaysia to understand what the success of local riders can achieve. I end the trip with a couple of races in Qatar and it will be interesting to see just how the riders have improved actually racing against them.”
Smith's first
MotoGP test of the year starts at Sepang in Malaysia on February 5.