Jeff Smith MBE 1934 – 2026 | TRIALS GURU

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Jeffrey Vincent Smith MBE, born in Colne, Lancashire on 14th October 1934, has passed away peacefully at Marshfield Clinic Hospital in Weston, Wisconsin, after a short illness on Saturday 21st March 2026, aged 91 years.

Jeff Smith works on his 250cc BSA in 1961 – Photo: OffRoad Archive.

Jeff was FIM World Motocross champion in 1964 and again in 1965 when riding for BSA on their highly successful 441cc Victor machines which Jeff helped to develop. He rode for the BSA factory from 1954 through to 1969. He also rode for Norton in trials and scrambles from 1950 through to 1953.

Jeff Smith (500cc Norton) on Kinloch Rannoch at the 1953 Scottish Six Days Trial – Photo: Ray Biddle.

Although best known as a scrambles and motocross rider, he was also highly successful at trials, having won the Scottish Six Days Trial on a 500cc BSA Gold Star in 1955 and also competed in the International Six Days Trial at which he won eight gold medals, his first was in 1951 in Italy on a Norton aged just sixteen.

1959 Scottish Six Days Trial on ‘Glen Ogle’, Jeff Smith on his factory BSA C15T – Photo: OfRoad Archive.

Jeff Smith was a household name, primarily due to his many successes in the BBC Grandstand and ITV World of Sport televised scrambles in the 1960s. He usually rode with the number 4 when making appearances on national television.

Jeff at the 1968 East German Grand Prix – Photo courtesy of Justyn Norek.

In 1954, Smith began to make his name in international motocross by winning his first race in the Dutch 500cc grand prix, a round of the then European 500cc motocross championship.

Imola 2012 – Derek Rickman; Les Archer; Jeff Smith and Don Rickman – Photo: Justyn Norek.

For many years, Jeff’s travelling companion was Arthur Lampkin who passed away only a few weeks ago.

Jeff was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s new year honours list in 1970 and was inducted into the AMA’s ‘Hall of Fame’ in 2000.

Jeff Smith (Left) and his best man, Peter Stirland (right) at St Mary’s Church in Prestbury, Gloucestershire in 1957. (Photo: Smith Family Archive)

Jeff leaves a widow, Irene, his daughter Chris, son James, grandson James and granddaughters, Josie and Ellie.

Jeff Smith MBE and Irene Smith (nee Draper) – Photo: Chris Smith.

Trials Guru sends sincere condolences to the Smith family at this very sad time.

Main photograph: Jeff Smith chats with great friend and rival, Torsten Hallman – Photo: Justyn Norek.

Slideshow presentation of the life of Jeff V. Smith:

Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
Photo: Mike Davies
Eric Adcock with his DOT at the finish of the 1955 Scottish Six Days Trial, with event winner Jeff Smith looking pensive.
Jeff Smith with daughter Chris and Peter Stirland in 2018. Peter was Jeff and Irene Smith’s best man.
With thanks to Ian Berry
Left to right: Roy Peplow; John Draper; Jeff Smith MBE; Sammy Miller MBE; Blackie Holden and Arthur Lampkin – Photo: Toon van de Vliet.
Left to right – Jeff Smith MBE; Peter Fletcher; Gordon Jackson; Alan ‘Sid’ Lampkin; Arthur Lampkin – Photo courtesy of Colin Bullock.
1952 – SSDT start at Roseburn, Edinburgh shot taken by Ray Biddle, Birmingham of Rex Young; Jeff Smith; John Draper on their 500T Nortons
Jeff Smith(left); Torsten Hallman at Imola – Photo: Justyn Norek
1957 SSDT at Auchterawe on the 500 BSA Gold Star