Moto Legend down??

KennyT
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Vista, CA US
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4/28/2020 9:53am
That is such awful news...feel so badly for the kids/grandkids. The guy was a superstar yet he was so humble. My oldest son and his best friend had the pleasure of a private ride day/lesson with Marty back in 1997 and Marty treated them like they were his best buds. He still hauled ass! Awful that Nancy is gone too. What a wonderful wife/mother

Prayers to all
2

The Shop

dimetime
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Huntington Beach, CA US
4/28/2020 10:45am Edited Date/Time 4/28/2020 10:46am
Noooooooo! This is awful. Speechless

RIP moto hero Marty and RIP to his wife Nancy.

To those of us who grew up idolizing Marty, l mean, just fucking awful. l can't believe it.
EngIceDave
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Merritt Island, FL US
4/28/2020 11:06am



This hung proudly in our home

Shot by my Brother, Ken, was the only person standing at the bottom of McCoy's Mountain, in St Pete, when Bob Hannah's bike broke and Hannah walked to the top of the jump, and waited, for Marty Smith to sail by and on to the 500cc National Championship. There's a photo that was in Cycle News, shot from about the finish line area, and you can see Ken, standing at the bottom of the jump, shooting upwards.

One more story, I was about 12 at the time, think it may have been this same event/year, and I went and had a T-shirt signed by all the riders (My Dad scored some pit passes, another story for another time) and I had gotten Marty's, on the back, and then went to Hannah's and had him sign the front (BTW, a photo of that happening wound up in Cycle magazine) and when I turned to walk away, Hannah could clearly see Smith's signature on the back (it was big) and he said "Hey, come back!" and I ran.....

15
4/28/2020 11:08am
A true legend that stood the test of time. He had it all and was still a nice guy. Definetely one of the coolest ever. Godspeed to Marty and Nancy and condolences to all involved.
3
MXant15
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4/28/2020 11:11am
Godspeed to an absolute legend. RIP Mr and Mrs Smith.
SLAPAHO
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4/28/2020 11:24am
Such a bummer to hear this. RIP to a real legend..

5
EngIceDave
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4/28/2020 12:07pm
There is one photo, one I remember clearly, that I have been seeking for years

It's a head-on shot
He is turning left, so he's leaned over to the clutch side
It's a bar dragger
Handlebar is on his knee cap

I have wanted to see that photo for years, would LOVE to get a good high res (as much as possible from an early 70's photo) version of it

Will pay for it

I'll know it when I see it
1
Myke
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4/28/2020 12:18pm
Wow sad day. RIP
TeeJay54
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Pleasanton, CA US
4/28/2020 12:26pm
EngIceDave wrote:
There is one photo, one I remember clearly, that I have been seeking for years It's a head-on shot He is turning left, so he's leaned...
There is one photo, one I remember clearly, that I have been seeking for years

It's a head-on shot
He is turning left, so he's leaned over to the clutch side
It's a bar dragger
Handlebar is on his knee cap

I have wanted to see that photo for years, would LOVE to get a good high res (as much as possible from an early 70's photo) version of it

Will pay for it

I'll know it when I see it
Yes, that picture is the defining Marty Smith photo. Wish I could find it. This is gut-wrenching, he was a hero to so many of us, and such a nice guy. I can only hope that there's a great track up there in the cosmos/heaven somewhere and he's battling right now with Rahier, Magoo, Eirstadt, Moates, Pomeroy and the rest of the guys, with Nancy, his mom and dad cheering him on at trackside. To his family: you were blessed to have such incredible parents, my thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
3
dean122
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Upland, CA US
4/28/2020 12:28pm Edited Date/Time 4/28/2020 12:28pm
I tried to emulate everything Marty did in the magazines when I was a kid. Truly a riders hero and will be missed.

RIP Marty and Nancy, my thoughts are with the family.
2
davistld01
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Springfield, MO US
4/28/2020 12:33pm Edited Date/Time 4/28/2020 12:34pm
EngIceDave wrote:
There is one photo, one I remember clearly, that I have been seeking for years It's a head-on shot He is turning left, so he's leaned...
There is one photo, one I remember clearly, that I have been seeking for years

It's a head-on shot
He is turning left, so he's leaned over to the clutch side
It's a bar dragger
Handlebar is on his knee cap

I have wanted to see that photo for years, would LOVE to get a good high res (as much as possible from an early 70's photo) version of it

Will pay for it

I'll know it when I see it
Is this close? I know it's a right hander, but...


2
4/28/2020 12:36pm


1976 Hangtown at Plymouth….First National of the year and Marty Smith had the #1 plate. His bike broke and he pushed it back to the pits. Didn't throw it down, didn't wait on his mechanic, just pushed his bike back through the crowd. The fans loved it, I loved it. A real motocrosser in my book.
17
TeeJay54
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4/28/2020 12:38pm
JAFO92 wrote:
Dave, is this it ? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/04/28/423996/s1200_114144.jpg[/img]
Dave, is this it ?


That is definitely THE BEST photo of Smith. Thanks for finding it.
8
JAFO92
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BFE, TX US
4/28/2020 12:46pm
TeeJay54 wrote:
That is definitely THE BEST photo of Smith. Thanks for finding it.
I know this isnt close up, but for what its worth another another bar dragger by him.


16
EngIceDave
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Merritt Island, FL US
4/28/2020 1:08pm
Those are cool, and close, but this was a head-on photo
JRT812
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Cottontown, TN US
4/28/2020 1:19pm
What a bummer
1
ninety3
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Saddleback Park, CA US
4/28/2020 1:19pm
Sometimes you meet legends and they fall short of your expectations.
Marty was the real deal as a human, and a racer
Feel fortunate to have spent some time with him on a few projects, and he really was the genuine article
Larger than life in every way
Truly saddened to hear about this

Love all the pics, keep em coming moto brothers
1
Rawly
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Simi Valley, CA US
4/28/2020 1:47pm
Rest In Peace Marty and Nancy. My condolences to the entire family. Like a lot of the riders out there , Marty was my first motocross hero when I got into it back in 1976. The pictures of him dragging his bars in the mags are etched into my memory. Was very cool to see the Motocross Files documentary on him and learn more about his life. What a sad day for our sport.
JAFO92
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BFE, TX US
4/28/2020 1:59pm
UPDATE on Marty Smith:

Marty's tragic accident took place yesterday at Glamis Dunes in the southern California desert near the Colorado River. Marty, his wife Nancy and two friends were out for a ride in Marty's dune buggy and went up a sand dune. The other side was a razor back (straight down), Marty turned to avoid going off the other side and the buggy rolled one time on Marty and his wife at less than 20 MPH. The other two were uninjured. No high speed, no alcohol, just a freak accident. No other vehicles were involved.

Just wanted to squash any rumors before they get out of hand.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/2675620819162914/permalink/297386849933…
4
sclark309d
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US
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4/28/2020 2:02pm Edited Date/Time 4/28/2020 2:02pm
G-man wrote:
OMG I can't believe this!!!!! To the younger generation of MXer's Marty Smith was Jeremy McGrath before there was a Jeremy. He really was [b]AMERICA's FIRST...
OMG I can't believe this!!!!!

To the younger generation of MXer's Marty Smith was Jeremy McGrath before there was a Jeremy. He really was AMERICA's FIRST MOTOCROSS SUPERSTAR....

I was in Laughlin one time in an elevator with a Family of four and the kids had Moto shirts on and I commented "Nice Shirts".

Nancy replied, "Thanks meet Marty Smith." I told him how much I admired him and his racing. Shook my hand and said “Thank-You I appreciate it”, he was very gracious.

Marty Smith was such a class act and America could not have had a better Ambassador to the sport…..

I am gutted—this has been a SAD week…. Sad
I shook his hand at one of his classes. I was amazed at how substantial it was. Nice guy.

RIP Marty and Nancy.

Condolences to friends and family
FortyHat
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CO US
4/28/2020 2:06pm
Such incredible cornering style from over 40 years ago, wow. Dude must have been a time traveler.
4
FWYT
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San Diego, CA US
4/28/2020 2:13pm
FortyHat wrote:
Such incredible cornering style from over 40 years ago, wow. Dude must have been a time traveler.
No kidding. Even today, looks fresh and contemporary and stylish as hell.
RIP to a legend. Condolences to all.
2

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