RIP Paul Smart

Vince said:
78, and died in a bike accident. Not a bad way to go. if you have to go.
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We all have to depart this world sometime, I think going out in a collision involving a motor vehicle while out riding your motorcycle is fucking horrible.
Paul thanks for the images and thrills. In the 70's he did more for Ducatis's images and sales than any other rider, RIP Paul.
 
Better than the slow lingering death my Mother went through, I was her full-time carer and nobody deserved that. Going out with a bang doing what you love is way better to me.
 
78jotadave said:
We all have to depart this world sometime, I think going out in a collision involving a motor vehicle while out riding your motorcycle is fucking horrible.
Paul thanks for the images and thrills. In the 70's he did more for Ducatis's images and sales than any other rider, RIP Paul.
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Being killed by some idiot in a car late for work or looking at his/her phone isn't glorious.

Paul
 
Difference is, Vince, Paul Smart was a healthy individual with potentially many more years of happy life left. I know what you're saying, but it's not like a cardiac arrest vs long-term cancer demise.
 
Just to make it clear, I am not advocating mandatory traffic accidents for all. And in the sentence I wrote it says IF YOU HAVE TO GO. And we all do at some time. I hope to be still riding at 78. That's a good age to get to and still be fully active. I guess I have been around PLENTY lately who haven't been living to the full. Good luck to those that can and do.
 
he was a local resident living close to Brands Hach race track, I saw him about five years ago and he was a bit old and dodderry then, the crash happened at Flimwell East Sussex, one area of which (may or may not have been the crash site) is a notorious black spot as a traffic light is approached from what is a potentially very safe place on the A21 to go very, very fast indeeed, but the built up area around the lights tricks you, and it is common to be approaching much too fast, I seriously hope that when the details of the crash are revealed that he was not at fault in any way, he was one of my hero's and I wouldnt want any of that spoilt, nor would he, but I share some of the sentiment above, I want to go, at the right time, in an instant, you will not see me in bed wearing nappies for two years!

RIP Mr Smart and my sincere thoughts are with Maggie (nee Sheene) Scott (now FIM technical director) and his sister, Paula.
Paul was always very pleasant and patient with this person 9 years younger than him nipper, when I was riding to Brands Hatch on a bicycle and hanging around his pit area, I particularrly quized him on the intslation of a 3 litre V6 Ford Zodiac engine into what was then known as the "diesel front" Transit van, I eventually got the Transit van at 19 years old (Brand new) but my sensible hat dictated that it was a stock 1700 4 pot V four.
CLEM
 
This is bad news,I always remember him from his works rides on the BSA/Triumph triples back in `71, there`s a BSA promo clip of Daytona `71 and the American commentator saying "Wow,look at that style" as Paul carves his way through the infield section.
I believe he ran a motorcycle dealership in Kent and there was a story about a punter taking out a GS1000 (I think) for a test ride and on his return telling Paul he was disappointed with the bikes performance-Paul replied that can`t be right and to prove his point took the guy for a short pillion ride on the back of the GS.When they got back to the shop the guy was speechless and quivering like a jelly!
Like I said,bad news.
 
I agree, sad news about the passing of another star rider of the past.
I dare say though, the news might put another nought on the end of the price of a green framed Ducrappi SS.
 
Bugger! That's very sad. Kinda reminds me of the way Mike Hailwood and Nicky Hayden went. Just dumb traffic accidents.

Paul did a ride around Tassie a few years ago with a couple of his friends. I wasn't able to catch up with him, but some of my mates did. He made an impression on them as a very pleasant and cheerful sort of bloke.
 
he did make mistakes though, he was the official importer of the Brazil made Amazona bikes, bringing in about four to the UK, the last couple were almost given away, and might have even been bought for the 1600 VW engines that they contained, he also brought in the Spanish Sanglas for a while, a much better bike (and I have always wanted a 500 single) but still not UK popular, I have no idea why anyone would buy the 400 as it contained a Yamaha engine 4 stroke twin, and the Yam was by far a better bike.
CLEM
 
Got an email last night from a friend who knew Paul. Apparently he'd just been given the all clear after a battle with cancer and was looking forward to getting on with life. Cancer treatment may partly explain the "old and doddery" look of a few years ago that Clem described. Dunno how much his wife will know about his death because she has Alzheimer's. My mum had Alzheimer's. Fucking horrible disease. Effectively kills people while leaving their bodies still alive.
 
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