Don Smith CV
| A Brief Synopsis 1937 to 2002 |
| 1937- December 29th Donald Roland Smith born Walthamstow London E17. Parents separated when toddler, raised by Mother (died 1960). One sister Pamela Mary (b. 14/6/1933). |
| 1952- Aged 14 attending Sir George Monoux Grammar School London E17. Headlines start Cycle Speedway - "Not quite the thing for a Grammar School Chap". |
| 1953- Built first "Trials" motor cycle - 199 Villiers engine and wheels in 150 new improved frame. |
| 1954- On road at stroke of midnight. 350 ex Police girder Ariel in Trials trim. Started work general engineering. Bought 16MCS AJS Trials/Scrambler - competing. |
| 1955- Charge-Hand Artistic Wrought Iron Company. Winning 2nd half races at Wembley Speedway on Ajay. |
| 1956- Moved to Bishops Stortford Herts. Maintenance Welder at Stanstead Airport. Good facilities for fettling MX machinery. Connection D.A. Cornell Motorcycles. |
| 1957- National Service 33rd Parachute Light Regiment R.A. -23335242 GNR. Smith D.R. |
| 1958- Volunteer for Paras to stay in UK and continue riding. 11 jumps very proud Red Beret. Stationed on own at Aldershot some 10 miles from Bordon home of Army M.T. School where Bill Brooker was an Instructor plus J.V. Smith, Pat Brittain, Eric Adcock etc. Practicing and competing all week on Army G3L and each weekend civvy for D.A.C.M/Cs |
| 1959- Return to civvy - Manager D.A.C. Motorcycles Bishops Stortford. Write up by "VEG" in Motor Cycle. Semi-works support by Greeves. Built TRIBSA MX. Invite to me and Dave Bickers (fellow Eastern Center "ace) from Markelo Club Holland for International Ascension Day MX (May 7th 59) First of 11 Scott Spoons. |
| 1960- Opened Don Smith Motorcycles Ltd Highams Park London E4. aVERAGE STOCK 100 M/Cs. Agents Triumph, Norton, Ariel, Honda and Suzuli. (Sold business 1970). Full works support Greeves (and obvious agents). Stopped MX - Easter shop opening. Married. |
| 1961- Few more Scrambles (was getting Start Money!) Reg. Competing Int. Nat. and other Trials. Best Newcomer S.S.D.T. 37 marks lost (G.L. Jackson 1 mark). June 25th South Eastern Centre Home Counties Trial - Premier D.R. 21 marks lost, Runner-Up G.L. Jackson 22 marks lost! 20 Premiers. |
| 1962- Winner 1st Int. Trials Holland and St. Cucufa Paris, Nat. Hoad Premier. Brit. Exps. 3rd. |
| 1963- National Premiers John Douglas, Southern and Mitchum Vase (by 21 from Sam). Easter weekend - Sat. Don Mountstevens 2nd, Sun. Beggars 5th, Mon. Estern Centre Lambourne End Grand National Scramble: Junior 1st, Up to 350 1st, Solo Grand Nat. 1st, Sidecar Grand National 1st. May Welsh 3 Day, June Valli Bergamasche (Italy): International Team 1st, Manufacturers Team 1st I.S.D.T. type Enduro. |
| 1964- Winner European Trials Championship, S.S.D.T 3rd, National Premier Cotswold, Beggers, John Douglas, Hoad, Southern, Perce Simon & Mitchum Vase. June 7th Scramble Teversal Nu-Texa Trophy race 1st (Won £14) |
| 1965- Riding Trials, MX, Speedway (Winner "Stars of Tomorrow Trophy" at Kings Lynn), Welsh 3 day, Bergamo; 5 National Premiers and numerous O.T.C. events. |
| 1966- Winner 10 consecutive International Trials, 15 lesser events. Racing Speedway for First Divison West Ham. |
| 1967- Euro Champ (2nd time). S.S.D.T. 6TH, Best Manf & Club Team. Resigned from Greeves. Rode Bulto privately 10 events - 7 x 1st, 2 x 2nd and 1 x 3rd. Approached by Montesa. |
| 1968- Working with Montesa on Cota Proto. Opened own Trials/MX Sport Park (Linford Park). Collected Montesa Proto L.A.P. 19/4/68 debuted in Lochaber Trial Fort William, 21/4/68 - 1st. |
| 1969- S.S.D.T. Best Mon& Fri, led until Wed night. Finished 4th, Best Manf & Club Team. Euro Trials Champ (3rd time). 11th consecutive Scott Spoon. 19 D.T.C Premiers. |
| 1970- Terminated Montesa Contract hoping for Japanee involvement. Contnued Design and Development. |
| 1971-Don Smith Safety Footrest (Speedway) and Springer BMX bicycle. Instructor Hackney Speedway |
| 1972-Signed with Kawasaki Japan to Design/Build & Develop completely new Trails machine. Proto engine 450 MX'er! Arrived April 24th - "Designed and built ALL other parts (frame, tank, forks, q.d. rear wheel etc) " shook down in Mitchell on Sept 23rd and won D.T.C. Comerford Cup Trial on Sept 24th (5 mths). Proto sent to Japan October 18th. D.R. followed (first of 6 visits) Oct 27th. |
| 1973-3 x 450 Protos competed in S.S.D.T. D.R. Team Mngr. All finished & 500 Cup (Sunter, Kemp & Galloway). July to Japan checking out new 250 protos. 250 protos E.T to UK Auguse 7th. Nat Southern Trial Sept 16th D.R. 3rd. |
| 1974-Wrote forst book manuscript. 4 month 34 city tour of U.S.A. promo/P.R. for Kawasaki. |
| 1975-Kawasaki 330cc protos development - excellent machine but fear Trials market potential not large enough to satisfy Japanese production potential. RIDE IT! The complete book of motorcycle trials. Author D.R. Published by Haynes/Foulis. |
| 1976-End Kawasaki Trials involvement. Very upset by that decision. Realised probs re marketing but felt should continue on small scale for maximum exposure (as Honda) 330 Exce |
| 1977-Running resedential Trials School Essex & Derbyshire - many "now" lads pupils - Glen Scholey, Nibs Kellett, Mike Crowder, Dave Ely etc.. Joined Fantic to assist Trials machine launch. |
| 1978-Last ride S.S.D.T. (Fantic) Divorce pending. (3 "grown up " children). Built Edmonton Cycle Speedway). |
| 1979-Knee operation finished competitive activity. Wrote 2nd book. Standard BMX Promo. |
| 1980-Trials Bike Riding (E.P.Press Published). Joined Ammaco/Mongoose UK-Marketing Director. |
| 1981- Considerable Press Exhibition Track exposure BMX Earls Court Bike 81 etc. |
| 1982-Needing to return to motorcycling (admin/P.R./ Promo/Coordinate/Comps/Sales, resigned Ammaco, wrote Ride It! BMX - The Complete Book of Bicycle Motocross Published Haynes/Foulis September 1982. Holder of over 800 Trophies. |