Donny Schmit (January 17, 1967 – January 19, 1996) was an American professional motocross racer. He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1986 to 1989 and, in the Motocross World Championships from 1990 to 1994. Schmit was notable for being a two-time motocross world champion, winning the 125cc title in 1990 and the 250cc championship in 1992.[1]
AMA 125cc Western SX - 1986FIM 125cc - 1990FIM 250cc - 1992
Wins
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Motorcycle racing careeredit
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Schmit started racing when his father bought him a Honda XR75. He signed with Kawasaki’s Team Green as an amateur.[2] In 1986, Schmit turned pro, winning two AMA 125cc West Region Supercross races in his first season on the pro tour.
In 1987, Schmit signed with Suzuki, winning the AMA Motocross National in the 125cc division at Anderson, South Carolina.[2] Schmit also won the 125 national at his home circuit in Millville and finished the year ranked fifth.
By 1988, Schmit was racing in the 250cc AMA Supercross division, but was injured and decided to stay with outdoor motocross. That season, Schmit had seven podium finishes in AMA 125 motocross, including a Millville victory, and finished runner-up to George Holland. He was AMA's Rookie of the Year.[2] Schmit left Suzuki after 1988 and rode the AMA outdoor nationals as a privateer. He finished 1989 ranking fourth in the AMA 125 Motocross; he was the top-ranked non-factory rider. At the season's end, Team Bieffe Suzuki offered Schmit a sponsorship to ride in the Grand Prix world championships.[2] Schmit was an immediate success, winning the 1990 125cc world championship.[2]
In 1991, Schmit was injured at the Hungarian Grand Prix, causing him to miss much of the remaining season. In 1992, Schmit rode for Chesterfield Yamaha, and won his second world title, along with five 250 GP wins. He rode for Chesterfield Yamaha for two seasons, finishing third in 1993 and seventh in 1994. At the end of the 1994 season, Schmit retired from full-time racing.
In 1995, Schmit returned to the AMA Nationals at Millville, finishing fourth place for Honda of Troy. He also won the four-stroke Motocross Championship for CCM in San Bernardino, California.
Schmit died on January 19, 1996, from aplastic anemia, after his wife Carrie rushed him to the hospital with a severe headache.[2][3] He had been awaiting a bone marrow transplant.
His 15 career victories in World Motocross Grand Prix were a record for an American rider. In 2002 Schmit was inducted into the AMAMotorcycle Hall of Fame.[2] A jump at his hometown track in Millville, Minnesota, "Holy Schmit" is named in his memory.
Referencesedit
^Boehm, Mitch (June 1992). GP motocross wrap up. Retrieved January 18, 2018. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
^ abcdefg"Donny Schmit at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame". Motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
^Jeremy McGrath supercross overachiever. January 1996. Retrieved January 18, 2018. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
April 11, 2024
donny, schmit, january, 1967, january, 1996, american, professional, motocross, racer, competed, motocross, championships, from, 1986, 1989, motocross, world, championships, from, 1990, 1994, schmit, notable, being, time, motocross, world, champion, winning, 1. Donny Schmit January 17 1967 January 19 1996 was an American professional motocross racer He competed in the AMA Motocross Championships from 1986 to 1989 and in the Motocross World Championships from 1990 to 1994 Schmit was notable for being a two time motocross world champion winning the 125cc title in 1990 and the 250cc championship in 1992 1 Donny SchmitNationalityAmericanBorn 1967 02 12 February 12 1967Minneapolis MinnesotaDiedJanuary 19 1996 1996 01 19 aged 29 Coon Rapids MinnesotaMotocross careerYears active1986 1995TeamsKawasaki Suzuki HondaChampionshipsAMA 125cc Western SX 1986FIM 125cc 1990FIM 250cc 1992Wins15Motorcycle racing career editBorn in Minneapolis Minnesota Schmit started racing when his father bought him a Honda XR75 He signed with Kawasaki s Team Green as an amateur 2 In 1986 Schmit turned pro winning two AMA 125cc West Region Supercross races in his first season on the pro tour In 1987 Schmit signed with Suzuki winning the AMA Motocross National in the 125cc division at Anderson South Carolina 2 Schmit also won the 125 national at his home circuit in Millville and finished the year ranked fifth By 1988 Schmit was racing in the 250cc AMA Supercross division but was injured and decided to stay with outdoor motocross That season Schmit had seven podium finishes in AMA 125 motocross including a Millville victory and finished runner up to George Holland He was AMA s Rookie of the Year 2 Schmit left Suzuki after 1988 and rode the AMA outdoor nationals as a privateer He finished 1989 ranking fourth in the AMA 125 Motocross he was the top ranked non factory rider At the season s end Team Bieffe Suzuki offered Schmit a sponsorship to ride in the Grand Prix world championships 2 Schmit was an immediate success winning the 1990 125cc world championship 2 In 1991 Schmit was injured at the Hungarian Grand Prix causing him to miss much of the remaining season In 1992 Schmit rode for Chesterfield Yamaha and won his second world title along with five 250 GP wins He rode for Chesterfield Yamaha for two seasons finishing third in 1993 and seventh in 1994 At the end of the 1994 season Schmit retired from full time racing In 1995 Schmit returned to the AMA Nationals at Millville finishing fourth place for Honda of Troy He also won the four stroke Motocross Championship for CCM in San Bernardino California Schmit died on January 19 1996 from aplastic anemia after his wife Carrie rushed him to the hospital with a severe headache 2 3 He had been awaiting a bone marrow transplant His 15 career victories in World Motocross Grand Prix were a record for an American rider In 2002 Schmit was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 2 A jump at his hometown track in Millville Minnesota Holy Schmit is named in his memory References edit Boehm Mitch June 1992 GP motocross wrap up Retrieved January 18 2018 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help a b c d e f g Donny Schmit at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Motorcyclemuseum org Retrieved August 5 2013 Jeremy McGrath supercross overachiever January 1996 Retrieved January 18 2018 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Donny Schmit amp oldid 1134711546, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
