Don Smith (motorcyclist)


Don Smith, was a British 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 Henry Groutars. 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.

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 Henry Groutars 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 Henry Groutars 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.

World Trials Championship

YearTeam123456789PointsRank
1964GreevesBEL
3		FRA
1		GER
1		701st
1965GreevesFRA
5		BEL
21		198th
1966GreevesGER
-		FRA
2		BEL
1		472nd
1967GreevesSWI
1		BEL
1		GER
2		FRA
3		921st
1968MontesaSWI
3		GER
-		BEL
-		FRA
-		GBR
4		76th
1969MontesaSUI
2		FRA
5		GER
2		BEL
1		GBR
2		SWE
6		511st
1970MontesaGER
4		FRA
-		GBR
6		BEL
3		IRL
-		SPA
10		FIN
-		SWE
-		POL
-		248th

Honors

Ride It The Complete Book Of Motorcycle Trials
Ride It The Complete Book of BMX