|
Hi Everyone, we are
delighted to have been asked to asked along to this special event for our
Dad and thank the organisers both at the front of and behind the scenes.
We would like to mention a few and would like to give them all a small
token of our appreciation:
|
Roy Enticknap -
For kindly hosting today's event |
|
Bob Adams - For
his part in the setting up/organisation etc |
|
Bill Wilkinson -
For supplying the premier award |
|
Brian and Alice
Foster - For their secretarial and administrative skills
including producing the smashing programme |
|
Observer Mr Ken
Davies - For his attendance here today |
We have brought a
visitors book and would really appreciate it if you would all sign it
and add your comments.
Can you believe that it is nearly 5 years ago already since DR suddenly
exited out of this world? We met up with some of you in Scotland at the
Pre-65 in May 2005 when we took Dad on his final 'Ashes Tour'
culminating with a walk up the Devil's Staircase section where we
sprinkled his ashes. It was a special day.
We miss Dad greatly but
have many terrific memories and know that he would really love today's
event. We are certain he will be looking down, having a laugh, joke and
a smoke! He was really looking forward to getting back in to the Pre-65
scene and was doing very nicely on his Cub until he 'knackered' his
shoulder one day during practice when descending a steep slope with
locked elbows. The cub came to an abrupt halt and having locked his arms
his shoulder took the full impact. Ouch!! He said after that he would
have to rewrite the bit in his 'Ride It' instruction book that said
'lock your elbows' as it was painfully wrong!
During his motorcycling
career DR won over 700 trophies and the picture of his with them taken
back in the 70's shows them in their full gleaming glory. We the kids
remember the days of duraglitting the get the trophies polished and
ready! We have brought a small one with us to be presented today and we
thought it quite apt that the date on the trophy is 1959, marking some
50 years. For those of you who are 'techno savvy' you might like to
visit www.donsmithtrials.co.uk
where you can enjoy a trip down memory lane with a selection of photos
etc.
Turning to 'Pre-67 and
Twin Shocks', Paul and Karen both qualify by birth dates for the Pre-67
and Amanda qualifies for the Twin Shocks as 3 years ago she had a hell
of a shock producing twins! DR has 5 grandsons, the oldest being 19 and
the youngest are 3. None have expressed interest in carrying on the
Smith motorcycling tradition unfortunately, although once the
stabilisers come off the twins bikes you never know!! Paul regrettably
cannot be here today as he lives and works in Japan but has asked us to
pass on his best wishes, good luck and thanks.
Finally, we would again
like to thank everyone who has been involved in making this event
possible, for giving your time and your enthusiasm and also to the
competitors who have travelled here from far and wide. We hope you all
had a great day! Cheers!!
|
