Ducati Legend
Paul Smart Passes
P
aul Smart, one of the most talented
and courageous racers of all time,
died after he was involved in a collision
aboard his motorcycle near his home in
Kent, UK, October 27. He was 78.
Short in stature but steeped in skill
and bravery, Smart will forever be
remembered as the rider who led the
famous Ducati 1-2 at the 1972 Imola
200, but there was much more to the
man. A pioneer of the off-the-saddle,
knee-dragging style, Smart was in
demand from factory teams far and
wide, among them Suzuki, Kawasaki,
Triumph and Norton.
Following a few lessons with the
Charles Mortimer Racing School at
Brands Hatch, Paul sold everything he
possessed to buy a 125cc Bultaco, a
somewhat temperamental machine that
was quickly sold and replaced with a
CR93 Honda. He was soon a force to
IN
THE
WIND
P24
Paul Smart (left) with Virgil Elings (owner of the Moto Solvang Museum) at
Pukekohe, New Zealand, in 2006.
PHOTO: JIM SCAYSBROOK
