Malcolm Smith showed the government exactly what he thought of the CPSC ban on selling youth model ATV's and Motorcycles by holding a protest at his multi-line dealership and selling 3 machines to some of the most recognized faces in the motorsports industry. Troy Lee and Jeff Ward both purchased KTM 65SX model dirt bikes for their kids while Glen Helen Raceway owner Bud Feldkamp purchased a Can-Am DS 90 for his. The penalties that Smith could face for each unit sold are a $100,000 fine and possible imprisonment.
The emcee for the protest was none other than Larry Huffman, who was the voice of Supercross for 16 years and took time to interview attendees such as Jeremy McGrath, Pro Circuit's Mitch Payton, Troy Lee, Jeff Ward, Bud Feldkamp and the man of the hour Malcolm Smith. Huffman asked Smith what he planned on doing with his inventory of, now illegal, inventory of youth model ATVs and motorcycles.
Bud Feldkamp signs the paperwork...
Bud Feldkamp signs the paperwork making him the owner of a brand new illegal DS-90 and shakes hands with Malcolm Smith to seal the deal.
"Well, I can tell you what I have planned for one of them," claimed Smith. "I'm going to take one of them and put it on the back of a Sea-Doo with a bunch of girls in bikinis. I'm going to ride around Long Beach Harbor, all of the container ships and toss it into the harbor. Just like the Boston Tea Party." Huffman in disbelief asked if he was serious and Smith responded, "I'm serious. I'll have it certified that it doesn't have any pollutants in it so it can't hurt anything and toss it into the ocean. Hopefully I'll get some press coverage."
Smith also made the offer to anyone that wanted to leave a $100, fully refundable, deposit on one of the banned machines, he would sell it to that customer at dealer cost once the ban was lifted. This statement had the crowd inside of the store roaring in support of the legend.
Huffman told Smith, "It takes a lot of guts, and you've never been known not to have guts. I've watched you race over the years." In response to that, Smith said, "It's just a big hill, and I'm going to up it one way or the other."
Jeff Ward and Malcolm shaking...
Jeff Ward and Malcolm shaking hands after paperwork is completed on the purchase of a brand new KTM 65SX.