[2] With his long hair, Southern California surfer looks and smooth riding style, he was a popular figure among race fans and was the first superstar of American motocross.
[1] Born in San Diego, California,[4][5] Smith first began riding motorcycles at the age of six on local trails and hills with his dad.
Riding a Yamaha AT1 125cc enduro motorcycle stripped of lights and with an improvised number plate cut from aluminum, Smith finished fifth.
[3][6] As Smith progressed from Novice class to Intermediate, he moved to a Penton motocross bike and was getting his first notices in California newspapers.
[8] More important than the win, however, he gained the attention of Honda who was in the process of putting together a team to compete in the newly organized AMA 125cc Nationals set to begin in 1974.
Still in high school, he was the subject of a Peter Starr documentary called "To Be a Champion" which chronicled his successful AMA debut and elevated him to "rock-star" status among his school-aged peers.
[6] This attention didn't go unnoticed by Honda who featured his youthful good looks in its advertising or American boosters of motocross who put him on dozens of magazine covers.
For the Grand Prix series Smith placed fourth in the title chase despite breaking down almost as many times as he finished, a cool reception from European riders and fans, and an ambitious travel schedule that took a bigger toll than he had expected.
A blown transmission at RedBud Track 'n Trail in the second to last race put the championship out of reach for Smith as he finished second to DiStefano who won the 250cc title for the third time in a row.
Hannah's throttle cable malfunctioned while leading the first moto and left him unable to finish, handing Smith the 500cc National crown and his final AMA title.
[16] Smith along with Bob Hannah capped off the year by giving Roger De Coster his strongest American challenge to date in the 1977 Trans-AMA series.
While De Coster won his fourth consecutive Trans-AMA title, Smith took two rounds of the series and finished third just a few points behind Hannah for the runner-up spot.
On the outdoor stage, he showed that he hadn't lost his skill finishing third for the 1980 500cc title just a few points short of runner-up Goat Breker.
[10] Still a threat for a podium appearance but no longer a realistic competitor for a title, Smith quietly finished the 1981 season 12th overall for the Supercross series and 6th for the 500cc Nationals.