When she was 10, Willoughby resident Martine Smith became the first Canadian BMX racer to win a world championship, taking her age division at the 1985 Whistler competition.

"I've always liked speed sports," Smith recalled.

"Even just skiing, I always want to go down the hill fast."

When she began racing at five, she was sharing a bike with her brother.

Then her dad, Bill Smith, decided his daughter should have her own set of wheels.

"He could tell that wasn't the right bike for me, and he could tell I had some potential, so he went out, he got me my own bike, and I was racing against the boys, and I was just winning right away." 

By the time she stopped racing, in 1988, Smith had won more than 30 nationals, the US Gold Cup Championship, and the ABA Grands.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, she was in the first group of riders to be entered into the BMX Canada Hall Of Fame, at the inaugural awards and reunion event, held in 91Ô­´´ during the U.S. – Canada Borderline National races 

She was one of four 91Ô­´´ residents among the very first group of inductees, along with Jack Hutton, the most decorated pro BMX racer, and two-time national champion Summer Adams. Dexter Harker was inducted as a sport-builder.

Founded in 2023 the Hall Of Fame has the goal of recognizing the achievements of former riders and the many people who helped build the sport, explained hall director Kevin O'Brien, a BMX racer from Vernon.

"I just hope it sort of spreads a bit of love or information about the sport," OBrien said.

"That it's just one of the neatest family sports.

Much work remains to archive BMX history in Canada, said O'Brien, who estimates the current collection is perhaps "40 per cent complete."

"We're still a long ways away from compiling everything that everyone's done."

For now, there is no permanent home for the Hall exhibits put on display at George Preston, which included rows of classic bikes, many loaned by collectors,as well  photos of winners and  news clippings from long-ago articles, along with videos of key races.

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While not a formal inductee, B.C. BMX National Group president and 91Ô­´´ BMX Club board member Bea Lindsay-Hawkins was recognized for her contributions at the Hall Of Fame awards  in 91Ô­´´, receiving a signed number plate.

It was a busy weekend at the track,which had just added paved corners to the track, courtesy of paved corners made possible by funding from the Township of 91Ô­´´ and donations from Lafarge Holcium and iPioneer Paving.

More than 500 riders from across Canada and the U.S. competed in the BMX Canada Borderline National races in 91Ô­´´ Aug 3-4, the youngest 2 and the oldest is 76.

Several 91Ô­´´ racers won their divisions, including Dustin Worrall, Ryder Kerr, Noah Rozander, Chelsea Trites, and Cody Friesen.

Inaugural Canadian BMX Hall of Fame Event is underway this Saturday in 91Ô­´´. The track is the longest running BMX facility in the country

— 91Ô­´´ Advance Times (@91Ô­´´Times)

O'Brien said the creation of the hall of fame is luring veteran racers back into action.

"Three or four of the old school BMXers have now gone back to their tracks and they're starting to race and ride again. It's pretty cool."

Smith is one of them.

In July, in her first race after 36 years away from the track, she finished a respectable third.

Her 10-year daughter, Sophia has developed an interest in the sport and has been training with her mom at the 91Ô­´´ track.

"We're borrowing bikes because  we're just kind of just starting," Smith said. 

READ ALSO:Canada-U.S. BMX championships are coming to 91Ô­´´

More information about 91Ô­´´ BMX can be found online at .

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