Paul Smart, Imola 200 Mile winner in 1972, has passed away

Paul Smart, a former motorcycle racer who sporadically competed in the World Championship between 1970 and 1972, lost his life in a traffic accident yesterday. The 78-year-old Smart was riding his motorcycle between East Sussex and Kent, according to GPOne, as authorities investigated the circumstances surrounding the events.

Born on April 23, 1943, the Brit competed in the world classes 250cc, 350cc and 500c on Yamaha, Ducati and Seeley motorcycles. The peak of his career came in 1972 when he won the Imola 200 miles on a Ducati. Smart’s connection with the Borgo Panigale plant was immortalized when the manufacturer inaugurated a motorcycle in its name in 2006: the Ducati PaulSmart 1000 LE.

He won seven podiums during his time at the World Championship and retired in 1978 after also working for Suzuki, Triumph and Kawasaki.

Motorcycle Sports extends its deepest condolences to the family and to all those close to Paul Smart!