Tuesday February 4th/25

Answer to the last quiz – a young Jeff Smith who rode a Norton in Trials, before becoming a World Champion MX rider – In fact Jeff had little interest in Scrambles back then – that is until he entered a Sunbeam event, won it and caught the bug – later of course he became a BSA factory rider and won World Championships. – However, Jeff always enjoyed trials and won the Scottish on a BSA one year. – Later of course after the demise of BSA, he got an offer from Bombardier to develop a Can Am. – The story is that one night somebody from Canada came knocking on Jeff’s door wanting to talk to him – he said “It’s late – come back tomorrow” – When tomorrow arrived, Jeff could not turn down the dollars, and moved to Canada – it’s reported that he packed along some British bike parts on the journey.

As most older enthusiasts will remember – The Can Am that Jeff Smith designed, did very well in both MX and Enduro models. – In Canada they hired the very talented Craig Woods of Cochrane Alberta. – Now Woodsy won most of the Cross Country races back then, but he became fed up with the lack of up dates and parts – that is when he sat down with myself and we got him on a Yamaha.

For me. my first meeting with Jeff Smith was at a Scramble in Knighton Wales – Back then I used to go to all the events taking pictures, which I would then print off, and display at the next Trial or Scramble – I recall giving Jeff a large Black & White photo of him at that event mounted on card – neat shot I wonder if he kept it.

Later of course, I was on the starting line at the 1976 200 mile 2 day Moose Mountain Cross Country – Jeff was there, promoting Can Am. – Luckily for me, he got a bad start (172 riders on the line) and I managed to follow him up an almost impossible hill, to pass likely 50 or more riders. – Yes on that weekend the race was won by another dear friend no longer with us Danny Amor, Jeff got 2nd – I came in 6th overall 3rd big bike. – Jeff of course showed up at the Trophy Presentation in a collar and tie.!! – Cool and very British.

Only Peter LeGrove from OZ got that quiz – maybe because he is an older ex pat, who had some of the old British bikes.

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Quiz today – Who is this rider?

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Below is a great shot of Sammy Miller on the first Bultaco Sherpa T – he won the Colmore trial first time out on the new bike – and the rest is history.

Here is a pic of Sammy’s Trophy wall at his museum !!! we know there is one in there from Japan -because we have the same one in our office!! – As mentioned before, we Imported Sammy’s Accessories back in the day, before he sold the business.