Despite winning several GPs, Donny finished third in 1993 behind Greg Albertyn and Stefan Everts. He didn't come out on top, but he was one of the stars of a memorable season in the 250 GPs. 1994 was another challenging year for Donny. He won the first round and held the points lead early, but then a streaking Albertyn, and several injuries, left the championship out of reach. The team announced midseason that he would not be signed for 1995.

GP Wins by American riders
Donny Schmit - 15
Trampas Parker - 13
Bobby Moore - 12
Brad Lakey - 9 (top American GP rider by any other measure)
Danny Laporte and Billy Liles - 6
Rick Johnson, Jeff Stanton and Tallon Vohland - 4
Mike Brown, Broc Glover, Johnny O'Mara, Jim Pomeroy and Marty Smith - 3 Wins
7 tied at 2 wins, 14 at 1 win, most recently Thomas Covington

Donny chose to retire from racing in 1995. Carie recalls that, He did not love his Yamaha and was tired of traveling and being away from home. We made the choice together in Germany at the last Grand Prix and headed home. He just took a year and played and played. He did everything he wanted to do.

He won the National Four-Stroke championship, appeared in a hilarious ice-riding segment in the Terrafirma2 ride video, and earned several top ten finishes Road Racing a near-stock 600. He started the Donny Schmit Motocross School and had plans to ramp up the following Spring. The only national he rode was Millville. Donny got the holeshot in the first 250 moto and nearly got an overall podium. His inspired charge in the hot and humid second moto, spurred on by his boisterous supporters, came up just short.

Later that Fall, Donny started feeling ill. On his 29th birthday, January 17th, 1996, he was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disorder that still has limited treatment options. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage two days later. The Metrodome was hosting a Supercross the next night. On the day he died, riders and others in the industry were on their way to Minnesota. At the opening ceremonies, instead of the typical festivities, the riders formed a circle and paid tribute to Donny in a somber and respectful silence. Paddocks on both sides of the Atlantic, and fans around the world, mourned his loss, respecting his accomplishments and who he was as a man.

Donny Schmit soared to great heights with a mental strength that few possess. His 15 Grand Prix wins are the most by any American. He will always be the first Minnesotan to win a US National, the first to win a Grand Prix, and the only one to win a World Championship. He did it all with humility and generosity, never forgetting his fans, friends, family, or his Minnesota roots.

Based on excerpts from Pioneers of Minnesota Motocross: Donny Schmit and Tom Benolkin

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