Paul Smart Biography – Paul Smart Wiki
Paul Smart was an English short circuit motorcycle road racer who later entered Grands Prix. He began racing in the latter half of the 1960s after attending the Charles Mortimer Race School at Brands Hatch race circuit, Kent in 1965, initially buying a Bultaco which proved expensive and unreliable, and later riding a variety of machinery in different classes on the UK short-circuits.
For 1966 Smart shared a 125 cc Honda with John Button whilst saving money to buy a 250 cc Cotton which he rode successfully at club level, in the end winning the MCN 250 cc Championship. After the Cotton engine failed, he was provided with a Greeves by Chas Mortimer.
He won the 250 cc class at the Stars of Tomorrow meeting at Mallory Park, England on July 3, 1966, riding a Greeves. He first entered the Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix in September 1966 riding a Greeves Silverstone as used by the race school.
In 1967, he was sponsored by Charles Mortimer Senior, proprietor of the Charles Mortimer Race School based at Brands Hatch race circuit, Kent, riding from a stable consisting of RDS Greeves 250s, a Bultaco 125, and an Aermacchi 350 together with Chas Mortimer, Charles’ son. Both were also employed as road race instructors at the race school. At the Isle of Man TT Races on a Norton for Paul Dunstall, Smart scored second place in 1967 and again second on a Norton in 1969, both in the Production 750 cc class.
Smart continued to be successful in his career during 1969 when he was sponsored by Joe Francis Motors, a London motorcycle dealer selling AMC, which provided a 750 cc Norton, a Seeley, a 250 cc Yamaha, and winning the Hutchinson 100 Production machine event on a Triumph 750 cc. For 1970 there was a works Triumph Trident 750 cc and his own 350 cc Yamaha. In the early 1970s, Smart was riding in North America for the Hansen Kawasaki team on air-cooled H2R two-stroke triples.
Smart is famous for winning the Imola 200 on 23 April 1972, at age 29, riding Ducati’s new 750 racer, based on the GT750 roadster. Ducati paid his airfare and £500 wages. A 750SS road bike and production race version followed, turning into the 1975 900SS which continued until the early 1980s. He also raced in Grands Prix in the early 1970s, with second-place results in 1971 in both the 350cc and 250cc categories, riding Yamaha machinery.
After making history for Ducati and winning further races, in 1978 Paul finally hung up his leathers and retired from competition to concentrate on his motorcycle business which he expanded into three separate shops at one stage. He sold the shops and the family caravan park business in Kent, later qualifying as an offshore sailing skipper, formalizing his long-time hobby.
In 2006, Ducati produced a 1000cc limited-edition PaulSmart 1000 LE, in recognition of the 1972 Imola win, designating it Paul Smart 1000LE. It had the advanced technology of the time but resembled the 1972 race bike.
Paul Smart Age
He was born on April 23, 1943, in Eynsford, United Kingdom, and died on October 27, 2021, in Kent UK. He was 78 years.
Paul Smart Wife
Paul married his wife Maggie in 1971. Maggie is the late Barry Sheene’s older sister. Smart and his wife were parents of two adult children.
Paul Smart Children
He had two children. His daughter Paula and son Scott who is a former Grand Prix racer who has won races in the British Superbike Championship and then turned to Superstock.
Paul Smart Death
Smart died on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, aged 78. His death was confirmed by his British Superbike Championship via their official social media pages.
The championship wrote on Twitter: “We are saddened by the news that Paul Smart lost his life in a road traffic collision today while riding his motorcycle. Paul was a hugely popular character in and out of the paddock. He was much loved by his family, friends, and fans around the world and our thoughts are with them.
His family has also issued a statement via Bike Sport News which read: “It is with huge sadness we have to report that Paul lost his life in a road traffic collision earlier this afternoon while riding his motorcycle in East Sussex and Kent. The police and coroner are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Paul was a hugely popular character in and out of the paddock, and much loved by his family, friends, and fans around the world. He was 78.
“He will forever be synonymous with Ducati, the Italian brand he propelled to international acclaim with victory in the 1972 Imola 200 race. Paul also shared a special affinity with the Brands Hatch circuit, having lived literally next door in West Kingsdown for many years.”
The family went on to respectively request for privacy during their difficult time. They added: “So much more can and will be written in the days and weeks ahead about a life well lived that has been tragically curtailed.
Series and Race Director of the championship Stuart Higgs also paid his own tribute on his Twitter account. He wrote: “The very saddest of days that my hero dear friend Paul Smart has lost his life today. My heart goes out to Maggie, Paula & Scott.”
Paul Smart Cause of Death
He died after a motorbike crash aged 78 on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.
