Slaw Dog
The world of racing lost a legend this week. The American Motorcyclist Association announced that Malcolm Smith has died from complications of Parkinson’s disease, which he battled for more than two decades. He was 83.
Smith passed away at home in Riverside, Calif., on November 26, peacefully and surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Louise and Ashley, sons Joel and Alexander, granddaughters Evie, Adeline, Amelie, Miley and Claire, and grandsons Ethan, Malcolm and Conrad.
Smith was a legend in the sport and on the big screen. He won eight gold medals at the ISDE, was a six-time winner of the Baja 100, three times on a motorcycle and three times in a car, and was a four-time winner of the Baja 500. He also participated in the Paris Dakar Rally twice and was a motorcyclist through and through.
His talent on two wheels lead to him starring in a role in the iconic movie On Any Sunday alongside Steve McQueen. The movie won an Academy Award in 1972 for Best Documentary and is widely regarded as the movie that put motocross on the map. Smith also appeared in Naturally Free (1975), Dirt (1979), and On Any Sunday II (1981).
After racing, Smith created the iconic gear brand MSR (Malcolm Smith Racing), which was eventually purchased by Tucker Rocky Distributing.
“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.”
Ride in peace, Malcolm.
Funeral and memorial services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Malcolm’s favorite charity, the Malcolm Smith Motorsports Foundation, which supports the children of Baja, at www.malcolmsmithmotorsportsfoundation.org/ .
Main image: AMA
