Marty Smith
Encyclopedia
Marty Smith is a former professional motocross
racer. He won three AMA National Motocross championships, all aboard Honda
s, and was runner-up twice. With his long hair and Southern California surfer looks, he was a popular figure among race fans.
Smith burst onto the motocross scene by winning the inaugural AMA 125cc National Motocross Championship in 1974 and followed that up with another 125cc title in 1975. That same year, he won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross, and finished second in the 250cc AMA Supercross series. Though he didn’t win a title in 1976, he again won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross and placed third in the 125cc World Championship, the highest finish for an American in the world championships at the time. Smith was runner-up to Bob Hannah
in the 1976 125cc national championship. In 1977, Smith recorded his final AMA title, defeating his long-time rival Bob Hannah in the last race of the season to win the 500cc AMA National Motocross Championship. A serious crash at the Houston Supercross in 1978 left Smith with a dislocated hip. He finished third in the 500cc National Motocross Championship that year, but never recaptured his championship speed. He raced for Honda for one more year before switching to Suzuki
for the 1980 and 1981 seasons. He retired at the end of the 1981 season.
Smith stayed involved in motorcycling. In 1991 he teamed up with Larry Roeseler
and Ted Hunnicutt Jr. to win the famous Baja 1000
desert race on a Kawasaki
. Smith was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
in 2000.
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. He won three AMA National Motocross championships, all aboard Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
s, and was runner-up twice. With his long hair and Southern California surfer looks, he was a popular figure among race fans.
Smith burst onto the motocross scene by winning the inaugural AMA 125cc National Motocross Championship in 1974 and followed that up with another 125cc title in 1975. That same year, he won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross, and finished second in the 250cc AMA Supercross series. Though he didn’t win a title in 1976, he again won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross and placed third in the 125cc World Championship, the highest finish for an American in the world championships at the time. Smith was runner-up to Bob Hannah
Bob Hannah
Robert "Hurricane" Hannah was one of the most successful motocross racers in American history. He won a total of seven AMA national championships....
in the 1976 125cc national championship. In 1977, Smith recorded his final AMA title, defeating his long-time rival Bob Hannah in the last race of the season to win the 500cc AMA National Motocross Championship. A serious crash at the Houston Supercross in 1978 left Smith with a dislocated hip. He finished third in the 500cc National Motocross Championship that year, but never recaptured his championship speed. He raced for Honda for one more year before switching to Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
for the 1980 and 1981 seasons. He retired at the end of the 1981 season.
Smith stayed involved in motorcycling. In 1991 he teamed up with Larry Roeseler
Larry Roeseler
Larry Roeseler is a professional off-road racer in motorcycle and Trophy Truck classes. He is a 10-time overall winner of the Baja 1000, 12-time overall winner of the Baja 500 and a 10-time gold medalist in the International Six Days Enduro. He has spent the past 25 years racing in numerous...
and Ted Hunnicutt Jr. to win the famous Baja 1000
Baja 1000
SCORE Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in November. The Baja 1000 is part of the SCORE Championship Desert Racing Series that include the Baja 500, San Felipe 250 and the new San Felipe Challenge of Champions in place of the Primm 300 which had...
desert race on a Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
. Smith 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.