Paul Smart

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Another legend sadly gone, but not forgotten.

It is reported in several places that legendary Ducati racer Paul Smart has died.

Paul passed away following a road traffic collision earlier today (27th October 2021?) while out riding his
motorcycle in East Sussex and Kent. He was 78.

A much-loved and respected racer, Paul was best known for winning the 1972 Imola 200 for Ducati,
but he also enjoyed success with Suzuki, Triumph, Kawasaki and Yamaha factories both in Europe
and America until he retired in 1978.

Paul leaves wife Maggie, son Scott and daughter Paula.
 
Oh no not another legend gone
Very sad news
Rip Paul
 
Very sad new indeed. I hope there were no other injured parties.
 
Very sad. Very nice guy. At least he went quickly instead of decaying away with some horrible illness.

When I was thinking of buying a Paul Smart Replica I attended a track day at Cadwell Park.

There was an old boy a few vans away in the paddock who had one, so went to ask him about it. He was so friendly, so helpful, happy to chat all day it seemed, and he seemed to know his shit.

At the end of the chat I said ‘So, in summary, you’d recommend one then”?

“Yes” he said, followed by “but I would wouldn’t I”?

You probably cottoned on faster than I did on the day, but yes, turns out it was Paul Smart with his very own Paul Smart Replica !
 
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Along this line of discussion , related news that Trident and Twin Triumph vendor Tony Hayward passed recently. It must be
30+ years ago I bought stuff from him.
One wonders if the world of bikes will pass with us.
 
Bloody ‘ell, what’s going on!

Another sad loss.

Tony was a good egg. He did like to talk too…
 
Sad to hear about Paul Smart. Watched him at many races in the 1970s.
He also a raced Dunstall 'Production' Norton Dominator 745cc at the TT in 1967 and an early Plumstead 'Production Commando' 745cc prepared by John Maclaren and entered by Arter Bros in 1969. {correction edited from Dunstall Nortons in both years}
Two 2nd places and a 99 mph race speed in 1969 less than 30 seconds behind winner Malcolm Uphill on his works Triumph Thruxton Bonneville.
Ride on Paul.
 
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Sad to hear about Paul Smart. Watched him at many races in the 1970s.
He also raced Dunstall 'Production' Nortons at the TT in 1967 and 1969. Two 2nd places and a 99 mph race speed in 1969 less than 30 seconds behind winner Malcolm Uphill on his works Triumph Thruxton Bonneville.
Ride on Paul.

RIP great rider... he reputedly melted a tt100 tyre on I think a Ducati
 
Sad news to get this morning , another notable racer and man gone too soon ….
 

Thanks for posting this. Made me realise there was an error (now corrected) in my earlier posting.
It went like this:
1) Watched video heard mention of Paul Smart on a Commando - so not a Dunstall Dominator 745cc.
2) Checked programme for 1969 TT. Race no. 23 (as shown in video for Paul's bike) is for a Norton Commando entered by Arter Bros with rider listed as PJ Williams.
3) Checked Peter Williams autobiography Designed to Race for 1969 which mentioned that he had missed the race due to hospitalisation (bad asthma). Paul Smart is mentioned as the substitute rider.
4) Checked 1967 TT Programme https://daveriley.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/4/5/4845046/iom1967tt.pdf which confirmed Dunstall Dominator 745cc for Paul.
5) Edited entry in Wikipedia to clarify for both years.
All very nerdy but good to set the record straight.
Andy
 
Bought my first Suzuki from his Shop in Rochester, proper gent and was a true "character"
RIP Paul
 
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