Former world 500 champ Victor Arbekov has passed away aged 75. The Russian was world 250 champion in 1965.

Arbekov was born in Podolsk, and started racing during 1959 in the 125 cc class on a home-built bike. He worked as a mechanic and his first top class race was in the 1963 Russian 250cc Grand Prix. 

In 1964, Arbekov – nicknamed ‘Smiler’ – finished the 250cc motocross world championship in third place behind Joel Robert and Torsten Hallman. The following year, he defeated Robert to win the 1965 250cc world championship, on a CZ motorcycle.