Nationality British Died October 6, 2004 Role Motorcyclist | Name Don Smith Current team Retired | |
Born 19 December 1937London, England ( 1937-12-19 ) | ||
Don Smith (19 December 1937 – 6 October 2004), was a former International motorcycle trials rider. He was born in London. Smith was the first FIM Trials World Champion in 1964 when the championship was known by its original title of Challenge Henri Gouthars. Smith again won the title in 1967, before winning a final time in 1969. He died in a hospital on 6 October 2004 at the age of 66.
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Biography
Don Smith was the winner of what is regarded as the Inaugural FIM Trial World Championship in 1964, at the time known as the Challenge Henri Gouthars Championship. He won ahead of German rider Gustav Franke, taking wins at the French and German rounds. The following year he finished in 8th place in the championship. 1966 saw Smith back on form with a 2nd place finish behind rival Franke.
For the 1967 season Smith turned the tables on Franke, taking his factory Greeves to wins in Switzerland and Belgium and taking back the title. Smith left the Greeves camp at the end of 1967 and switched to the Montesa for the 1968 season, finishing 6th.
The Challenge Henri Gouthars was renamed the European Trials Championship for 1969, and this year saw Smith take his final championship title win, this time ahead of countryman Denis Jones and Sammy Miller. 1970 was to be Smith's final year of competing in the European Championships and he ended the season in 8th place, with a season best of 3rd in Belgium behind Miller and Laurence Telling.