Just 17, Smith was given the lofty mission of campaigning the RC125 (the factory version of the then-new CR125M Elsinore) in the AMA 125cc Motocross National Championship's inaugural season. He dominated the four-round series, winning the first two races and finishing runner-up in the final two. Smith won the crown, with fellow Honda riders Bruce McDougal, Chuck Bower and Mikey Boone taking second through fourth in the final standings. Despite his travel schedule, Marty also managed to graduate from high school that same year.

Smith successfully defended his crown in 1975, topping all but one of the seven races and finishing third in the other, ultimately compiling a record 543-point margin on the series runner-up. He was also one of the first Americans to beat the Europeans, winning that year's FIM 125cc USGP, held at Mid-Ohio in Lexington, Ohio, as well as the 500cc Trans AMA race in Nebraska.

The following season saw Smith continue in the AMA series while also traveling overseas for selected Grand Prix rounds in the FIM Motocross 125cc World Championship. Although he lost the AMA 125cc crown to Bob Hannah (finishing second), he again won the USGP in Ohio and finished fourth overall in that series. And in 1977, Smith further demonstrated his versatility by winning the AMA 500cc National Championship.

A serious injury early the next year derailed Smith's '78 season, and he switched to Suzuki for a three-year run before additional injuries prompted his premature retirement at age 24. In the years since, much of Smith's time was devoted to teaching students through his Marty Smith Motocross Clinic.

American Honda had only been established for 15 years at the time of Smith's hiring. Stylish on and off the bike, Marty's clean-cut image and prototypical SoCal surfer looks were a perfect fit.

"It was an era of rebellion for a lot of kids," remembered Dave Arnold, Smith's mechanic during the '76 125cc USGP and 500cc Trans AMA race, as well as the '77 500cc title-winning season. (He also eventually became Honda's team manager.) "Marty was a baby boomer, and when those kids' parents looked at motocross and saw that it was kind of an athletic sport—or at least healthier than sex, drugs and rock and roll—they were more inclined to fund the purchase of an Elsinore or whatever. Marty epitomized that; he had teen-idol looks, wore a red, white and blue Honda jersey and was on book covers and lunch pails. You could say he took the 'You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda' tagline and turned it to 'You beat the fastest people with a Honda.' The relationship between Marty and Honda was very family-like and loyal. When he flew to Japan, they put out a red carpet for him, and Mr. Honda was there to meet him on the runway."

"Marty was a great racer and a true Honda legend, and his passing is a blow to the sport," said Lee Edmunds, Manager of Powersports Marketing at American Honda. "On behalf of everyone at American Honda, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and fans."

Smith was 63 at the time of his passing. He is survived by his siblings, Todd and Jeanette; his children, Tyler, Jillyin and Brooke; and seven grandchildren.

AMA

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Marty Smith dies in crash
National championship-winning motocross racer's wife also killed

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Marty Smith, a 2000 inductee into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, died Monday, April 27, from injuries sustained in a dune buggy crash in Southern California. He was 63.

Also killed in the crash was Smith's wife, Nancy Smith.

A three-time AMA Motocross National Champion, Smith won the inaugural AMA 125cc Motocross Championship in 1974. He successfully defended his title in 1975, and also won the 1977 AMA 500cc Motocross Championship and the 1975 and 1976 125cc U.S. Motocross Grand Prix events. Smith also competed in AMA Supercross for four seasons (1978-1981).

Born in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 26, 1956, Smith started riding with his father, Al, on a step-through Honda 50 in the California desert. He took part in his first motocross race at age 14. Smith became a regular at Southern California tracks and started winning races on a regular basis. During his formative racing years, he had no professional trainers and learned by carefully observing the fast guys, then applying what he saw.

Smith became known as one of the most precise riders in motocross history. His riding style remained smooth throughout his races and he rarely crashed.

Smith won all of 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.

He retired from racing in 1981 and developed a motocross school called the Marty Smith Motocross Clinic.

You can read more on Smith's career with his entire biography from his 2000 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction.