Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1530089
We asked a few of Smith's friends and fellow racers what this legend meant to them, which will most likely be similar to so many others who knew or knew of Malcolm Smith. Scot Harden — Off-Road Racing Legend I was blessed to know the man for nearly 50 years, working, racing, traveling and spending time with him on the trail. Like most stories about Malcolm, mine begins with On Any Sunday. As a 15-year-old boy growing up on the outskirts of Las Vegas, I had no idea where my life would lead. Fortunately, in the summer of 1971, I found my inspira - tion and direction, my blueprint for life, sitting in a movie theater watching On Any Sunday. Malcolm's pure joy of rid- ing a motorcycle, convinced me that it was the only way forward in life. Like countless others similarly affected by my generation, I wanted to be Malcolm with every fiber of my being. Thanks, Bruce Brown! As my racing career progressed, I ulti - mately met Malcolm, and unlike meet- ings with most celluloid heroes, I was not disappointed. He was even larger, more authentic, genuine and every bit as much a hero in real life. Eventu - ally, I was signed by Team Husqvarna and Malcolm Smith Racing Products to compete in Baja and the other big desert races. I won my first Baja 1000 in 1977 wearing MSR gear and proudly wore the brand for years. Malcolm Smith Racing Products warehouse was in some orange groves on Marlborough Ave in Riverside. To this day, whenever I smell orange blossoms I think about that place. Spending time with Malcolm alone in his office, admiring his trophies and photos, hearing his stories, and getting advice on racing and life was priceless. "Sometimes you have to slow down to go faster," "Take care of your sponsors," "Don't get a big head," and "Think about your future after racing." Priceless advice. It saved me a ton of pain and suffering and greatly impacted my life. In the early '80s, my relationship with Malcolm evolved when I became a District Sales Manager for Husqvarna Motorcycles and later as VP for KTM North America. Malcolm Smith Mo - torsports was a very important dealer for both brands. There, I got to see how Malcolm approached business. I witnessed his simple, straightforward approach to dealing with the public, his business morals and ethics, decision- making and values, and most impor - tantly, how he treated people, especially P58 FEATURE I As you can tell, Smith indeed took the ISDT seriously. It's the few times he was on a motorcycle without a smile on his face; he was concentrating too hard to smile.