Don Smith  29.12.1937 - 06.10.2004

‘With Us In Spirit’

Trying to put pen to paper about our Dad, has proven to be very tricky. ‘D.R.’ was never ever short of a few words and it seems quite ironic that we find the task so difficult. However, he was ‘Mr Positive’, so let’s carry on in that vein!

Dad’s career spanning some four decades has been well documented and you may like to browse his ‘Year Book’ which can be viewed on this site. He was very proud of his achievements (3 times European Trials Champion etc), as are we, his family.  More than this, he was a true character who seemed to gather friends wherever he went. Even if he didn’t know you, you would simply become ‘Ace’. In recent years when dad was judging at a bike show, two chap’s conversation was overheard ‘oh yes I know Don Smith, he’s that bloke who used to smoke a lot!’ – of course, he really laughed at this!

‘D.R.’ was never conventional, he was however, hugely enthusiastic, optimistic and every inch the perfectionist – these qualities made him the great rider and ambassador for motorcycling that he undoubtedly was. He was often controversial too, never afraid to speak his mind, one thing was for sure, there was never a dull moment with D.R. around.

Turning to the SSDT; Dad truly felt this to be the GREATEST trials event in the world. He adored the Scottish Highlands and the warm welcome he always received whenever he was competing or visiting. An outright win of the SSDT eluded him and you may have thought that being such a perfectionist, it may have tarnished his feelings for the event. Far from this, he continued to hold the event in the highest esteem. D.R. made a brief riding appearance in 2000 and was involved in the ’03 event. He returned from this trip with renewed enthusiasm and vigour. He launched a ‘return’ to Pre-65 riding and had purchased (and of course, ‘modified’!) a Tiger Cub from Sammy Miller. He overcame an early setback after sustaining a shoulder injury, but was determined to climax this come-back with a ride in this year’s Pre-65 SSDT – of course he also planned to win it!  Sadly, this was not to be and he will no doubt, be lodging a protest!

Dad had so many happy memories and endless stories. Space does not permit their inclusion here, but we hope to include some of these stories on this site in due course. If you have any personal stories we would love to hear from you. He had kept copies of a very funny SSDT cartoon that was produced a few years ago depicting a typical mountain scene and D.R. is shown ‘feeding’ a fag machine half way up the section – magic.

He is dearly missed....Paul, Karen & Amanda (D.R's Kids)