Tony Smith x 2
   
Page updated 06-Oct-2014

There were two Tony Smiths racing in the 1970s, which has caused some confusion.

The first Tony Smith was a works BSA rider in the late sixties. He partnered Pat Mahoney on one of the three Gus Kuhn Commandos in the 1970 Bol d'Or.

In 1973 he was running a race school in France.

Photo of Pat Mahoney and Tony with Gus Kuhn's race mechanic, Dave Sleat, at the 1970 Bol d'Or at Montlhery, courtesy of Henri-Michel Leurette. [http://www.webzinemaker.com/admi/m9/page.php3?num_web=5798&rubr=2&id=27201]

Click here to read more of his career at the TT.


The second Tony Smith was a farmer from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. In September 1970 he bought a Gus Kuhn Production racer for £745 and won many races on it.

His son Ian tell us that he started his racing career in 1968 for Dunstall on a Norton Atlas.

In 1974/5 he rode for Thruxton Motorcycles on a Norton Commando where, amongst lots of success, he won the production race at the John Player Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1975. He also held the Brands Hatch lap record which stood until production bike racing changed format.

In 1976 he got a factory ride with the Norton works team. He tested the bike for a year but unfortunately Norton disbanded before he got a chance to race for them.

In 1977 he raced a Yamaha TZ750 for half the season and then retired.

Thanks to Ian Smith for the pictures

 

If you have further details of either rider's career and would like to add a
biography, memories and/or pictures, please contact us.