Barry Smith (motorcyclist)

Barry Smith
Barry Smith (right) after winning at Assen in 1969.
NationalityAustralian
Born (1940-03-08) 8 March 1940 (age 84)
Macclesfield, England
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years1965 - 1969, 1971, 1979, 1980 - 1981
First race1965 Spanish Grand Prix
Last race1981 125cc Argentine Grand Prix
First win1968 Isle of Man 50cc Ultra-Lightweight TT
Last win1979 125cc Belgian Grand Prix
Team(s)Derbi
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
30 4 10 N/A 2 174

Barry Smith (born 8 March 1940) is an Australian former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.[1]

Motorcycle racing career

Smith was born in Macclesfield, England where he bought his first motorcycle, a 250cc BSA.[2] By 1959, his family had emigrated to Australia and Smith began motorcycle racing against Australian riders such as Kel Carruthers and Tom Phillis.[2]

The need for more competition led Smith back to Europe where he competed in the Grand Prix world championships from 1963 to 1981.[1][2] His best seasons were in 1968 and 1969 when he finished third in the 50cc world championship.[1] He also won the 1968 Isle of Man 50cc Ultra-Lightweight TT, achieving the first Grand Prix win for Spanish manufacturer Derbi.[3]

Barry Smith (3) pursues Jan de Vries (22) during the 1969 50cc Dutch TT.

Smith won three consecutive victories in the Formula III Class at the Isle of Man TT from 1979 to 1981.[3] He has also won more Isle of Man TT races than any other Australian, 5 in total, 1968 250cc Production, 1968 50cc, 1979 Formula TT, 1980 Formula TT and 1981 Formula TT. He also won the 1979 and 1981 Formula III Class in the Formula TT world championship.[4][5] Smith also won the 125 Australian national championships in 1978 and 1981. He retired in 1983 after 25 years of competitive racing. Smith won four Grand Prix races during his career.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Barry Smith career statistics at MotoGP.com". motogp.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Whispering Smith: Barry Smith World Champion". bikereview.com.au. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Barry Smith Isle of Man TT statistics at iomtt.com". iomtt.com. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  4. ^ "1979 Formula TT Results". racingmemo.free. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  5. ^ "1981 Formula TT Results". racingmemo.free. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
Sporting positions
Preceded by TT Formula Three World Champion
1979 		Succeeded by
Preceded by TT Formula Three World Champion
1981 		Succeeded by
none