NEWS FROM AROUND THE DIRT

Motocross legend and AMA Hall of Famer Marty Smith and his wife Nancy were killed in a dune buggy accident at the Glamis dunes on Monday April 27th. Marty and Nancy were riding with two friends when the accident occurred. According to reports, Marty was pronounced dead at the scene while Nancy was airlifted to a local hospital. She did not survive. Sixty-Three-year-old Smith is a three-time motocross champion, who rode for team Honda. Smith won the inaugural 125cc champion in 1974. Smith defended that title the very next year and won. In 1977 Smith won the 500cc motocross championship. He also has wins in the Grand Prix Motocross events. A 1978 crash at the Houston Supercross would leave Smith with a broken hip. He finished 3rd that year. Honda featured him in its advertising, using his long hair and youthful good looks as a selling point. He was on dozens of magazine covers riding the legendary Honda Elsinore, donning the famous red, white and blue racing colors. Smith became the first teen idol in motocross and legions of young fans followed his every move. Smith would switch to Suzuki motorcycles before retiring from professional racing in 1981. In 1991, Smith teamed up with Larry Roeseler and Ted Hunnicut Jr to win the Baja 1000. Smith was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2000.

Polaris Donates Goggles to Healthcare Workers and First Responders Polaris is donating 1,300 pairs of 509 and Klim googles to healthcare workers and first responders. The “goggles for docs” program provides protective eyewear to those on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a major shortage of protective gear among first responders and healthcare workers across the United States. “During these unprecedented times, we have seen so many examples of healthcare workers and first responders working in the most demanding circumstances despite the lack of PPE for the greater good,” said Tom Delanoy, 509 founder and president. DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM | 5

SCORE International has pushed back the Baja 500 race again. The race is now scheduled for the weekend of July 15, 2020. This is a month later than the previously announced June date which already had been pushed back by 2 weeks. “As the world continues to move forward in the battle against COVID-19 and following extensive discussions and further analysis with Mexican Federal, State, Municipal authorities along with all of our other significant stakeholders, we have modified our 2020 race schedule once again, changing the dates for two of three races in this year’s series—the SCORE Baja 500 and the SCORE San Felipe 250,” stated Jose A. Grijalva, SCORE President/Race Director.

“Working with Goggles for Docs to provide eyewear for those fighting on the frontlines of this pandemic seemed like a great way for us to contribute and we are humbled to be part of the solution.”

Both 509 and Klim brands are part of the Polaris accessory portfolio.

The Baja 500 will include a qualifying session during the middle of the week. The San Felipe 250 will be held September 22nd – 27th. As previously announced, the Baja 1000 will be a loop race, starting and finishing in Ensenada on November 17th. Originally the race was set to be a peninsula run down to La Paz.

The Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series has announced it is moving the season opener to Wild West Motorsports Park in Reno. The race was originally scheduled at the beginning of May at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona. New race dates have been announced for July 24th and 25th. Racing will be moved to nighttime to accommodate higher temperatures and the practice and qualifying schedules will also be revised.