Smrz signs with Molenaar.

Czech GP star - and the country's only representative in the 250cc world championship - Jakub Smrz will start his fourth year of grand prix participation as part of the Honda Arie Molenaar Racing line-up.

The Dutch outfit enlisted the services of the 20-year old towards the end of the 2003 campaign, after he had been released from his contract with the Elit squad. Smrz then scored the team's first points of the quarter-litre season with 14th position at the final race in Valencia. Smrz managed to notch an overall placing of 24th in the standings, with a highest result of 12th at Assen.

The former European 125cc star, and three-time national champion at that same level, will steer a kitted RS 250cc Honda for the team headed by ex-125 GP winner Hans Spaan.

"Jakub is a good rider but, sometimes, he wants too much," Spaan commented, "He has now had three years in and around the GP scene, and he is the type of rider you have to calm down rather than push onwards.

"He has the track knowledge, and also some experience of the 125s, so I am hoping he will be a positive influence on young 125cc rookie Raymond Schouten. I expect Jakub to be scoring points regularly next year."

Smrz earned five top-ten finishes riding a Honda in the 2001 125cc Championship, and recorded a career best result with fifth position at Assen that year. In 2002, he started in the 125s and finished in the 250s, establishing a link with the Molenaar team when he filled in for Katja Poensgen. He will continue to fit his racing in around his studies.