GP and TT racer Paul Smart, 78, killed in road traffic accident

Paul Smart, one of Britain’s foremost motorcycle racing figures during the 1970s, has died following a road traffic accident at the age of 78.

Paul was riding his motorcycle between East Sussex and his home in Kent when he was involved in a collision that tragically claimed his life. An investigation is underway to determine the exact details of the incident.

With starts at both GP level and also on the Isle of Man TT, Smart became known for his versatility on a variety of motorcycles, competing across both short track and road races competitions for the majority of the decade.

Becoming a regular figure in numerous prestigious blue riband events, winning at the Manx Grand Prix and Race of the Year at Mallory Park, plus a stint competing in North America.

However, it was his success at the inaugural Imola 200 race on a Ducati 750 SuperSport that earned him his greatest achievement, not to mention notoriety decades down the line when the manufacturer honoured his success in its own backyard with a Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE special edition based on the Sport Classic in 2006.

A figure synonymous with the Brands Hatch circuit, where he lived within touching distance in West Kingsdown for many years, Paul is the father of GP and BSB rider-turned-WorldSBK Technical Director Scott Smart and survived by his wife Maggie and their daughter Paula too.

Visordown would like to take this moment to express our sincerest condolences to Paul’s friends and family at this difficult time.