Don Smith

Don Smith


Don Smith Lamborelle (B) 1964	Don Smith Westfalen (D) 1964

Don helped Montesa to develop the Cota, here the first Model 1968. He won another European Title, but got almost no reward from Montesa for his success...

On my visit back in May 2003, I met Don Smith on the evening of the 1st Scottish Pre65 day at the Clachaig Inn, where I stayed with my father. It was about 7 pm and I had a beer at the pub, during my father Mark (80 years old) had a nap before dinner. Next table to me where 2 gentlemen, one was smoking selfmade cigarettes. I asked him, if he would mind me smoking a ciagar ? "Of course not, go ahead!". I asked the two seniors, what they were doing here. "Watching the Pre65 trials!" the smoker answered. "Years ago, I competed myself, but I never won"..."Oh, you must have been good, then" I answered, " Whats your name?" I asked, getting courious now. "Don Smith." ??? "You must be joking" "No, no, this is my former competition manager Bill Brooker" .. Ok, the guy smoked since 30 min one cigarette after the other, and quickly I found out, that it must be true.

Me and my father talked till midnight with Don, drank beer, smoked ciagres and cigarettes and I learned a lot of stories, about Greeves, Montesa, traveling in Europe and low salaries at that time, etc. So I got to know Don. He gave me his autogram on the Pre65 program

Don won the Swiss Alpentrial Oberiberg in 1966 on a Greeves. Oberiberg 1966, Alpentrial 1966 . Don never got the trophee. Why? He told me, but it's a secret...

My father Mark was at that time a member of the GSCZ (Gelände Sport Club Zurich), who organised the Alpentrials till the World Champion Round 1977. Afterwards, the permission was no more given by the local community, sadly.

Don was starting the Pre65 on next Saturday morning. Next day and on the Sxottish 6 days, we met him & Bill several times.


Don starting the Saturday's Pre65 in Mai 2003 at Schoolhouse	Bill Brooker and Mark with Ariel cap

Mark and Bill Brooker at Pipeline	Bill happy

Don wearing a Greeves Jacket is helping a Triumph rider at Pipeline	Puuh, getting hot after lifting this heavy Triumph, so let's smoke...