Motocross Legend Marty Smith Passes
Cycle News Staff | April 28, 2020
We have confirmed that motocross legend Marty Smith and his wife, Nancy, died, Monday, April 27, in an accident while operating a four-wheel off-road vehicle at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Dunes (Glamis Dunes) in Imperial County, California.
Smith, 63, is a three-time AMA Pro Motocross Champion. The Southern Californian motocross heartthrob was best known as a factory rider with Team Honda, winning two 125cc National titles in 1974 and 1975, and the 500cc title in 1977. In 1978, Smith suffered a hip injury that marked the beginning of the end of his racing career. He eventually bounced back but later admitted that his heart wasn’t into racing anymore, and he and Honda parted ways. Suzuki, however, convinced him to keep racing and signed him to a two-year contract. He retired at the end of the 1981 season.
Smith was inducted to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.