The famous British pilot died yesterday Wednesday October 27, 2021, following a road accident. A look back at his remarkable career, typical of the 1970s.
Born in 1943, his career began twenty years later; Paul was still young when he discovered motorcycle sports. First on
Bultaco, he made a name for himself on short circuits, typical across the Channel. Like many of his compatriots, he went from race to race, with different manufacturers, until he was spotted.
On a Greeves, he won the 250cc category at the meeting “Stars of Tomorrow 1966” (the stars of tomorrow) on the legendary route of Mallory Park. Close to the academy Chas Mortimer based at Brands Hatch, he sometimes takes advantage of the equipment made available to him: It is in this context that Paul registered for his first Manx Grand Prix (the antechamber of the Tourist Trophy) also in 1966.
Here in Assen in 1970. In order, Karl Hoppe, Giacomo Agostini, John Williams and Paul Smart. Photo: ANEFO
His career really took off in 1970, when he entered and regularly finished in the top 3 in the world. No matter the category, Smart is there. The following year, on Yamaha, this time he managed to climb to second position in Sweden, in
500 tsp as 350 tsp, but nothing to do in the face of the long shadow Giacomo Agostini and
MV Agusta.
Passed to Ducati in 1972, he won the first edition of the Imola 200 on the handlebars of a
750 Racer which would later become the legendary
SuperSport. This double from the Italian brand (helped by the second place of Bruno Spaggiari), historic, is undoubtedly the greatest moment of Paul Smart's career.
Moreover, in 2006, the firm paid tribute to its pilot by producing the Ducati PaulSmart 1000 LE, recalling the features of the '72 frame. After several complicated years, the Englishman finally hung up his leather business in 1978 in order to concentrate on his motorcycle dealerships.
For the record, Paul was married to Margaret “Maggie” Sheene, the sister of Barry, in 1971. From this union could only be born a good pilot, in the person of Scott Smart, BSB race winner, former Grand Prix rider in the late 1990s and today technical director of World Superbike. The couple also had a daughter, Paula.
Paul never let go of his machines, until he died on the handlebars in East Sussex at the age of 78. Paddock-GP joins in the pain of his family, and pays a final tribute to this great driver.
The famous Ducati PaulSmart 1000 LE. Photo: Brian Snelson
Cover photo: Ducati
