Michigan native Kelly Smith has signed a two-year deal with Yamaha of Troy to ride the YZ250F for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. He will make his debut with the team October 10-11 at the Maxxis U.S. Open in Las Vegas.

     Formerly with factory KTM, Smith, 23, has endured the past two years as a privateer with some support from Yamaha. He finished this year’s 125cc East Coast Supercross series in an impressive fourth-place position in the championship points race. The end of the 2003 Outdoor Nationals found him in a ninth-place position overall.

     Smith will again race the East Coast division in 2004 and 2005. In addition, he plans to ride some 250cc races on the opposite coast.

     He will soon head west to begin testing with the factory team in California.

     The Yamaha-mounted rider is excited about his new deal and wants to give credit where credit is due.

     “I just want to thank the Lord for always keeping me safe,” Smith said.

     “I wouldn’t be back on a factory team,” he added, “without the great help and support of all my sponsors, family, friends and fans. I look forward to a new season with a great team.”

     Smith wishes to thank his many sponsors who have helped him through his years as a privateer, including SoCal, Yoshimura, Smith, Enzo, Sidi, RK Chains, Vortex, Dunlop, Vega helmets, Tag Metals, Ride Engineering, Bakuhatsu motors, Wiseco, Works Connection, Racerhouse.com, Fuel Motorsports, David Allen Racing, Powers Motorsports and VRMweb.com.