Donny Schmit, an American legend in the history of World Motocross.

Donny Schmit, the American champion who left his mark on World Motocross

The Minnesota native made his mark as a professional in the mid-1980s, winning the AMA 125cc West Supercross Championship in 1986 before joining Suzuki and becoming one of the leading figures in the AMA 125 Nationals. Schmit finished second in the 1988 AMA 125 National Championship, then raced as an independent in 1989 and still managed to finish fourth in the series. His career took a decisive turn when he moved to Europe, where he immediately won the FIM 125cc Motocross World Championship in 1990 with Suzuki. After a 1991 season plagued by injuries, Schmit moved up to the 250 class with Chesterfield Yamaha and won the FIM 250cc World Championship in 1992, thereby securing world titles in two different classes. He remained a contender in the Grand Prix until 1994, before returning to the United States, where he finished fourth at the 1995 Millville 250 National and also won the World Four-Stroke Championship that same year. Schmit ended his Grand Prix career with 15 victories, establishing himself as one of the most talented American riders of his era. Donny Schmit died on 19 January 1996, aged just 29, after suffering from severe aplastic anaemia, a rare and serious blood disorder.