Honda-SOHC

Other Stuff => Misc / Open => Topic started by: Nurse Julie on October 27, 2021, 09:56:45 PM

Title: Paul Smart... RIP
Post by: Nurse Julie on October 27, 2021, 09:56:45 PM
Just heard that Paul Smart has passed away. I bought my 1st 400/4 off him in 1979, a 2 year old F2 in Parakeet Yellow. I used to spend a lot of time at his shop in Paddock Wood and his other workshop in Hawkhurst. A true racing legend.
Title: Re: Paul Smart... RIP
Post by: SumpMagnet on October 27, 2021, 10:41:36 PM
that is sad news.
Title: Re: Paul Smart... RIP
Post by: MrDavo on October 28, 2021, 09:00:51 AM
Damn that’s sad. On a bike, too.

I went to the Race of the Year at Mallory Park in 1974, an amazing field with Read and Bonera on the MVs and Ago on a Yamaha, plus Sheene, Smart and all the usual suspects.

I think Paul was leading when his brakes failed going into the hairpin. I wandered down there during the subsequent red flag, and was very concerned to see him being treated on the track, with legs pointing in directions that they definitely shouldn’t go in.
Title: Re: Paul Smart... RIP
Post by: K2-K6 on October 28, 2021, 09:04:34 AM
Really sad news.

Remember him hanging off the side of a 750 Suzuki watercooled racer, also that win at Imola on Ducati against Agostini on his 750 MV Agusta.

A life of quite some style.
Title: Re: Paul Smart... RIP
Post by: Spitfire on October 28, 2021, 09:49:11 AM
Sad, sad news indeed, I can remember him hanging off his bike like nobody else, great racer.

Dennis
Title: Re: Paul Smart... RIP
Post by: Seabeowner on October 28, 2021, 06:47:00 PM
That is bad news. A British bike hero of the early 70s. Remember him as a big part of the UK team in the Transatlantic Trophy races we used to go to at Brands Hatch every Good Friday. (Except one when it snowed) RIP
Title: Re: Paul Smart... RIP
Post by: andy120t on October 31, 2021, 06:11:21 PM
I hope we can all keep riding for as long as we want to. 78 is a great age but it's a tragedy that that's a life cut short. Best wishes.
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