The announcment of Bryan Smith joining the Werner Springsteen Racing Kawasaki team stirred a great deal of interest in the new team over the past couple of days.

Bill Werner has tuned motorcycles that carried Gary Scott, Jay Springsteen and Scott Parker to a total of 130 National Championship Wins and 13 AMA Grand National Championships. Since 2007 Werner has been developing the Kawasaki 650cc into a competitive motorcycle in the Expert Twins class.

 Jay Springsteen with 40 National Wins and 3 AMA Grand National Titles will now be hitting the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Series as a team owner rather than a racer.  The fans and racing paddock will be proud to have Springer back in flat track racing.

Bryan Smith has finished in the top five Expert Twins point standings over the past five seasons which proves he knows his away around a race track. As a former Screaming Eagle Harley-Davidson rider, the jump to the Kawasaki 650cc Twin may be the biggest challenge of his career.

There have been several brands over the past couple of years make a run at being competitive against the dominate Harley-Davidson XR750. The combination of Werner, Springer and Smith may just be the package it will take.

Comments from Bill Werner:

Q. What is the official name of the team?

A.Werner Springsteen  Racing Kawasaki

Q. What role will Jay have with the team?

A. Jay will be a coach, mentor and test rider at tests to help develop the chassis and offer input at the race  track.

Q. What was the biggest challenge getting Bryan to ride the Kawasaki?

A.Like any one else I am sure it is easier to stay in your comfort zone and he has a history of riding the Harley, the Kawasaki will be new to him.

I am sure he must be wondering if he has to adapt to the bike or if we can adapt the bike to him. If he would have stayed on the Harley I am sure he would have been in contention again to win the championship so there is some risk involved for him. But that is also the challange.  I think that is part of why he is doing it.

Q. Why did you go after Bryan?  Was he always your first choice?

 A.There are a number of riders that weekend after weekend compete at a high level. I think one of Bryans main atributes is his work ethic and demeanor at the races.  Another plus is logistics to Jay and myself. And as they say size matters. In racing especially on the Miles I think his size is a plus.   

Q. We know the Kawasaki 450 single is a dominate motorcycle in the singles class, however the 650 ninja will be an underdog this year. What expectations do you have with Bryan on the bike?

 A. I would like to say we are cautiously opttomistic. We know there is work to do, but again that is the challange for all of us.

Q. Do you expect the twin to be more competitive against the Harleys on the half miles or miles?

A. Bryan has won on short tracks, half miles and miles but I think his size helps him more on the miles.

Comments from Bryan Smith:

Q. Why did you sign with the Werner Springsteen team?

 A.  A few different reasons. #1 being that Harley pulled there support to myself and the rest of the Wrecking Crew, and with the struggling economy Moroney and his dealership werent sure they could carry the whole team like they had in the past. #2 being that me and Bill Werner have a good relationship and the more we work together the Better my results get, so i wanted to build on that.

 Q. Have you ever raced anything other than an XR in the twin’s class?

 A. I never have raced anything else in the GNC twins class, Although back in 2001 i rode a few races on a TL1000 in the “supertracker” class.

Q. During 2009 did you pay any attention to the progress Bill was having with the Kawasaki 650?

A. Yes. Bill Helped me alot last season with my Harleys and we worked together on the Kawasaki 450s, so I always payed attnetion to how the 650 was progressing.

Q. What expectations do you have this year in the Twins class?

A. I honestly think we can be competitive on the miles come the first race, The halfmiles might take a couple races and/or testing to get those dialed in.

Q. What role do you see Springsteen having at the races?

A. Well mostly I see him giving me pointers on what he sees during my races, something I either are or arent doing right. Hes one of the best in the world, so ill gladly take any advice he has to offer.

Q. Will Springsteen ride the bike during test days to give input?

A.  Yes, when schedules and travels work out, he will test the bike.

Q. With Springsteen and Werner you have two of the best in your pits. Does this add any pressure or give you more confidence?

A. Deffenately more confidence, period.

Q. Have you talked with any of the other riders about your move to the Kawasaki ? If so, what were their thoughts?

A. Ive talked to a few of them. Most all of them think its cool and think it could really help the sport, and are really curious to see what I can do on the kawasaki.

Q. Let’s talk a little about the singles.  You just finished inside the top 20 last year in the singles series. What improvements need to be made to move up in your singles program?

A. Well more than anything I need to start with not getting injured and being healthy for every race. I missed the springfield tt, as i was recovering from a broken wrist and collar bone from a MX accident. I missed the Springfield St, as i was recovering from a broken ankle the day before on the mile.

Q. The 2010 series opens at a new track in Daytona. Do you believe this will help or hurt your chances to get off to a good start?

A. Well like all the other racers, we dont really know? Its a new track so i guess that levels the playing field for everyone.

Q. The twins series will open at a new track on May 1st  in Prescott , Arizona .  Do you think that will help your chances for a good finish on the Kawasaki ?

A. Well once again, its a new track so i dont really know. It is a mile, and Bill Werner will have a fast Kawasaki for me, so I think well be alright 

Q. Good luck with the new team.

A. Thanks everyone, hope to see ya at the Races soon!

Smith will ride the Kawasaki Ninja 650 twin in the Grand National Expert Twins Class.