Jeff Smith (motorcyclist)
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Vincent Smith MBE
(born 1934 in Colne
, Lancashire
, England
) is a former world champion motocross
racer.
His achievements include two FIM
500cc Motocross World Championships (1964, 1965), two British Trials Championships, multiple British Experts Trial wins, four individual race wins in the Motocross des Nations
, one Scottish Six Days Trial
win and eight ISDT
Gold Medals. He was a member of the BSA
factory racing team.
Smith began his riding career as a trials rider, becoming so successful that he was offered a spot on the Norton
factory team. After moving to BSA, he won the 1953 and 1954 British Trials Championship. BSA asked Smith to compete in motocross racing which he did with such success that he soon began to concentrate on a motocross career. In 1964 at the age of 30 he captured the 500cc Motocross World Championship, defeating the defending champion, Swede Rolf Tibblin
. He successfully defended his crown the following year.
After he retired from competition, he helped develop off-road bikes for Can-Am motorcycles
that went on to claim the first three places in the 1974 AMA
250cc motocross national championship. Smith was also involved in vintage motorcycle racing becoming the executive director of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) before retiring from that position.
In 1970, Smith was awarded the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire. He was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 2000. He currently lives in Wausau, Wisconsin
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 1934 in Colne
Colne
Colne is the second largest town and civil parish in the Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England, with a population of 20,118. It lies at the eastern end of the M65, 6 miles north-east of Burnley, with Nelson immediately adjacent, in the Aire Gap with two main roads leading into the Yorkshire...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is a former world champion motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer.
His achievements include two FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
500cc Motocross World Championships (1964, 1965), two British Trials Championships, multiple British Experts Trial wins, four individual race wins in the Motocross des Nations
Motocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross"...
, one Scottish Six Days Trial
Scottish Six Days Trial
The Scottish Six Days Trial is an internationally recognised Motorcycle trials competition, which has been running since 1909 making it the oldest motorcycle trials event in the world...
win and eight ISDT
International Six Days Enduro
The International Six Days Enduro is the oldest 'off road' motorcycle event on the FIM Calendar.The ISDE was first held in 1913 at Carlisle, England. It has occurred annually, apart from interruptions due to World War I and World War II, at various locations throughout the world. The early...
Gold Medals. He was a member of the BSA
Birmingham Small Arms Company
This article is not about Gamo subsidiary BSA Guns Limited of Armoury Road, Small Heath, Birmingham B11 2PP or BSA Company or its successors....
factory racing team.
Smith began his riding career as a trials rider, becoming so successful that he was offered a spot on the Norton
Norton (motorcycle)
Norton is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade". By 1902, they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range...
factory team. After moving to BSA, he won the 1953 and 1954 British Trials Championship. BSA asked Smith to compete in motocross racing which he did with such success that he soon began to concentrate on a motocross career. In 1964 at the age of 30 he captured the 500cc Motocross World Championship, defeating the defending champion, Swede Rolf Tibblin
Rolf Tibblin
Rolf Tibblin is a former world champion motocross racer. He was one of the top riders in the Motocross Grand Prix World Championships during the 1960s...
. He successfully defended his crown the following year.
After he retired from competition, he helped develop off-road bikes for Can-Am motorcycles
Can-Am motorcycles
Can-Am is a motorcycle producing subsidiary of the Bombardier Recreational Products, a Canadian corporation.In 1973, under the direction and leadership of an American Engineer named Gary Robinson and former motocross World Champion, Jeff Smith working with a team of California desert racers,...
that went on to claim the first three places in the 1974 AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
250cc motocross national championship. Smith was also involved in vintage motorcycle racing becoming the executive director of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) before retiring from that position.
In 1970, Smith was awarded the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire. He was inducted into the AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
in 2000. He currently lives in Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
.