Recent passing of Jeff Smith 1934-2026

The FIM is saddened to confirm the recent passing of Jeff Smith MBE who was the FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion in 1964 and 1965 and one of the greatest off-road riders of his era. Born in Colne, Great Britian on 14 October 1934, Jeff received his first motorcycle from his father aged nine years old. From riding in the nearby field and then local trials Smith’s young talent saw him earn his first gold medal at the FIM International Six Days Trial (ISDT) in 1950 at just sixteen years old, this would be first of the eight gold ISDT medals that he would achieve during his highly decorated career.  

Employed by BSA as an apprentice engineer in 1952, Jeff was soon to repay the British motorcycle manufacturer by winning the British Trials Championship onboard their machinery in 1953 and 1954. A true all-rounder, Smith made his mark on the international motocross stage by taking his maiden race win at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1954, he would go on to record thirty Grand Prix victories and fifty-three race wins in this discipline.  

In 1955 Jeff won the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), and the first of his nine British 500cc British Motocross Championships (1955,1956,1960-1965, 1967) and was the top individual points scorer at the FIM Motocross des Nations. A year later Smith retained his British motocross title and led Great Britain to victory at the FIM Motocross des Nations, a feat he would repeat on six further occasions (1956,1957,1959,1960,1964,1965,1967) as well as twice winning the 250cc version of this event - namely the FIM Trophee des Nations (1961,1962). 

When Jeff retired from racing in the early 1970’s he moved to America to live and to continue to work in the motorcycle industry but returned to his homeland on regular occasions to visit his old racing rivals including his lifelong friend Arthur Lampkin who also passed away recently. Smith passed away aged ninety-one following a short illness. 

The FIM President Jorge Viegas, and the entire FIM family extends its deepest condolences to Jeff’s family and his many friends, he will be sorely missed by the global motorcycle community.