The world of racing lost a legend this week. The American Motorcyclist Association announced that Malcolm Smith has died from complications of Parkinson’s disease, which he battled for more than two decades. He was 83.

Smith passed away peacefully at home in Riverside, California, surrounded by his family on November 26th. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Louise and Ashley, sons Joel and Alexander, granddaughters Evie, Adeline, Amelie, Miley and Claire, and grandchildren Ethan, Malcolm and Conrad.

Smith was a legend in sports and on the big screen. He won eight gold medals at the ISDE, won the Baja 100 six times, three times on a motorcycle and three times in a car, and won the Baja 500 four times. He also competed in the Paris Dakar Rally twice and was a motorcyclist through and through .

His talent on two wheels led to him playing a role in the iconic film Every Sunday alongside Steve McQueen. The film won an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1972 and is widely considered to be the film that put motocross on the map. Smith also appeared in Of course free of charge (1975), dirt (1979) and Every Sunday II (1981).

After the race, Smith founded the legendary equipment brand MSR (Malcolm Smith Racing), which was eventually purchased by Tucker Rocky Distributing.

“Malcolm Smith embodied so much of what was good about motorcycle enthusiasts and the sport of motorcycling,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “Not only was he an outstanding rider, racer and entrepreneur, but Malcolm was also a great example of how to get the most out of motorcycling.” And Give back and support our sport, as he did for much of his life – and always with a smile on his face.”

Ride in peace, Malcolm.

Funeral and memorial services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Malcolm’s favorite charity, the Malcolm Smith Motorsports Foundation, which supports the children of Baja, at www.malcolmsmithmotorsportsfoundation.org/.

Main image: AMA