No single person dominated the early years of NETA competition more than Donny Sweet. Don was NETA champion for 11 consecutive years from 1972 to 1982. He was then back on top in 2003 and 2005.
Don competed in his first trial in 1969 in Bennington Vermont at the age of 13 and rode as often as he could thereafter. He and his best friend Len Thompson (his future brother in law) both rode Ossa Plonkers and began competing in more regional events throughout New England.
In 1972, Don started competing in both National and NETA events. That same year, John Taylor of Yankee Motors (the Ossa Importer) became Don’s first sponsor. Don rode a MAR (Mick Andrews Replica), and placed fourth in the Michigan Ontario Trials Association National. Owing to backing from the OSSA importer, Don was able to travel to the 1972 El Trial De Espana and the Scottish Six Day Trial even though he was only 15 at the time and not old enough to compete. Don eventually rode the SSDT placing as top American rider.
Don was contacted in 1973 by his soon to be boss Bill Stewart, the designer of the TY250A. Don was offered a Yamaha sponsorship and they worked out the final details while attending the 1st US 6 Day hosted in Dalton, MA.
In 1974 and only 5 years after riding his first event, Don rode professionally for Yamaha and placed 3rd in the newly formed AMA sanctioned North American Trials Council series. One year after his debut in the NATC, Don placed 2nd, only edged out by the late great Marland Whaley.
After a break from the national circuit and the birth of his second daughter, Don was right back to the top. Don was only beaten by the great Bernie Schreiber (the only American to ever win the FIM World Trials Championship), ultimately placing 2nd in the 1983 US NATC.
Don completed his final year of US National Championship competition with a 3rd place finish in 1986, right behind the then up and coming Ryan Young (6 time consecutive US National Trials Champion).
Don was a factory sponsored rider for Montesa during the late 1970s, competing in World Rounds throughout Europe, Canada and America.
Don Sweet was inducted into the NETA hall of fame in 2008 and the NATC hall of fame in 2013. He continues to ride in select NETA events while supporting his three grandsons at both NETA and National events.
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