L&H Tour to Honor Marty Smith

Merced, CA ~ Three time motocross champion, Marty Smith, will be honored at this year’s Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the Unadilla on Saturday, August 13th.

Marty Smith was the AMA’s first 125cc Motocross Champion. During the 1970’s, Smith won three national titles – the 1974 & 1975 AMA 125cc Motocross Championships and the 1977 AMA 500cc Motocross Championship.  He won a total of 18 career nationals and was one of the few to score wins in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc AMA Motocross Nationals as well as Trans AMA competition.  In addition, Smith won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross in 1975 & 1976.

“Marty Smith, the guy had it all!” states Tom White of the Early Years of Motocross Museum. “Surfer good looks, talent, great style, and a champion’s will to win!  Marty really helped advance the sport of motocross in American and was largely responsible for Honda selling a heck of a lot of CR's in the late 1970’s” he adds.

Smith became known as one of the most stylish riders in motocross history.  According to his mechanic Dave Arnold, there was never a bad photo of Smith.  His riding style was textbook perfect.  He won all his championships with Honda and the company featured him in its advertising, using his long hair and youthful good looks as a selling point.  He was on  dozens of magazine covers riding the legendary Honda Elsinore, donning the famous red, white and blue racing colors. Smith became the first teen idol in motocross and legions of young fans followed his every move.

Alex Moroz, general managing partner of the Legends & Heroes Tour, states “Marty is a great champion who has paved the way for many of us in our sport.  His three time national titles and induction to the AMA Hall of Fame are a testament of his hard work and determination. As a team member of the original JT USA Racing team, Marty was involved in the early days of the brands development and continues today as an advisor".

Professor Gary Bailey writes, “I remember Marty Smith well because he was coming up as I was ending my pro racing career to focus on my motocross schools.  And, at that time, I was looking at what everyone was doing to go faster and to be a great champion.  Marty had it all - the looks, the style and the personality.  If you were looking for the whole package, Marty had it”.

On Friday the 12th of August at the Unadilla Amateur track (the U-2), the Legends & Heroes Tour in conjunction with JT Racing USA will be “Under the Big Top” hosting Marty Smith along with an impressive list of invited former champions including 3 Time National Champ Tony D., National Motocross and Supercross Champion Jimmy Weinert, The Professor Gary Bailey and former National Pro Mickey Kessler.  Additional invited national champions will be listed as they confirm prior to the event.  This will be a motivational presentation evening starting with a “Meet & Greet” of the champs at 7pm, an “Open Mic” session with all the champions followed by a “Silent Auction” and “Autograph Session”.

Congrats Marty, for a job well done!