REMEMBERING MARTY SMITH
P74
Feature
F
or those of us who were lucky enough to
experience motocross in the 1970s, I'm
guessing many of you would agree that it
was the most exciting time ever to be a motocross
fan, even to this day. I know it was for me, at least.
Motocross in America was still new, fresh and
growing fast. Motocross was exciting to watch and
even more exciting to participate in. Motocross
bikes were evolving by leaps and bounds seem-
ingly month by month, not year by year. And, as the
sport of motocross became more and more popu-
lar, so did those who were exceptionally good at it.
While there were many well-known motocross
racers in America at the time, the sport was still
looking for that one racer that MX fans, especially
young ones, could relate to and really latch on to;
someone who could also attract the attention and
reel in those who did not know anything about the
sport or those who had just a mild interest. The
sport of motocross could use someone to help
crank up its popularity a few more notches and per-
Remembering a motocross
legend, three-time AMA
National Motocross Champion
and AMA Motorcycle Hall of
Famer Marty Smith
(Above) There was no
mistaking Smith for
anyone else in the
motocross pits. (Right)
Marty Smith scored national
MX victories in three AMA
Motocross classes (125,
250 and 500cc), as well
as 250cc Supercross
and Trans-AMA. He also
won three 125cc GPs,
including one in Europe.
I BY KIT PALMER
Marty Smith
1956-2020
