The legendary Malcolm Smith has died at age 83. His family confirmed he passed away at his home in Riverside, California. He was surrounded by his family. Smith battled Parkinson’s disease for more than two decades.
Smith’s off-road racing career spanned several decades. Early on, Smith raced motorcycles just about everywhere including Baja. His career started in 1956 and grew from there. He started on a 1949 500cc Matchless motorcycle. Smith also raced in Class 1, racking up three wins in Baja. He also raced the Mint 400 and the Dakar Rally. Later in his career, Smith developed tools and riding gear as well as owned a motorcycle dealership in Riverside. Smith also had a charity dedicated to giving back to Mexico which raised money for orphanages and schools.
Smith was inducted into the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, Motorsports Hall of America and Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
“Malcolm Smith embodied so much of what’s good about motorcycle enthusiasts and the sport of motorcycling,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Not only did he excel in riding, racing and business, but Malcolm was also a great example of how to get the most out of motorcycling and give back and support our sport, which he did during much of his life — and always with a grin.”
