Smart joins Vivaldi.

Former Rizla Suzuki rider Scott Smart will contest the remainder of the 2005 British Superbike Championship for Vivaldi Racing, riding a third Kawasaki ZX-10R alongside Ben Wilson and Tristan Palmer.

"The Vivaldi Racing team are one of the friendliest and most professional teams in the paddock and I am sure we will have a long and happy relationship together," declared Smart, a race winner with Hawk Kawasaki last aseason. "I will be able to share my knowledge and experience with both Ben and Tristan, which they will use to their advantage as we enter the second half of the current campaign."

"I am delighted to welcome Scott on board and look forward to working with him," added team manager Rickard Wilson. "He is a very capable rider, as he proved last year with Hawk and his knowledge of bike set-up is second to none. I am sure he will prove to be an asset to the team.

"I must also stress that Scott's arrival will in no way affect the position of either Ben or Tristan in the team as we are fully committed to both young riders," he insisted. "Scott is a very welcome addition to the Vivaldi Racing British Superbike team and we are looking forward to building on the solid foundations we have already established."

James Haydon has already been announced as Smart's replacement at Rizla Suzuki, while Scott will make his Vivaldi debut at round seven of the BSB championship, at Knockhill, on June 26.