Dick Smith Killed in Plane crash

[Secret Squirrel]

May God bless the Smith Family. Our thoughts and prayer are with you.

It was a pleasure to meet Dick Smith at the 2006 WSCB in Sparks, Nevada. He was a guest speaker along with Peter Brock. He was just an amazing man.

Godspeed Dick, You will be missed dearly by all you have touched.

[Gordon Levy]

Who was Dick Smith?

I met Dick in the 80’s when I was in my early 20’s. I was a struggling, self employed body man and painter. I was working on a Shelby Mustang when Dick came by and asked me to look at his cobra. I restored the car and Dick and I became very good friends. Later he taught me to race and the first car I ever drove on a road coarse was #198.
Over the years I learned a great amount about his accomplishments. He is a 6 time national road racing champion, 1 time international FIA champion. He drove Can Am cars, took the Indy Rookies test, drove factory Porsches in Europe.
Dick was a pilot that got his license when he was 16. He flew P40’s in the military and later flew airliners including the MGM Grand. He was an accomplished pilot and had the opportunity to fly with him many times.
As great those accomplishments are, more important is who Dick was. As a person Dick was very down to earth. He used to say “I’m just an okee from Fresno”. He was always willing to help out if needed and truly cared for the people around him. He was a Father, Grandfather and Great grandfather. I know that they will miss him a lot as will the rest of us.
I just know the world lost a great guy and I lost a good friend.

Gordon Levy

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by billyboy

I am new to the Cobra family, but the Smith name and Factory 5 are legendary. May the Lord bless him and his family.
Bill

Just to clarify, Billy.

Dick Smith was the owner of CSX3035, since the 60's. He was legendary for being clocked at 198 mph at Daytona...hence his car #198.

Dave Smith is founder of FFR...no relation. However, Dick Smith had become a great friend and supporter of the boys at FFR.

[Igofastr]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

Wow. Just, wow.

Dick was one of the people I really wanted to meet in the future in the Cobra world. This is very sad news indeed. My condolences to the Smith family.

Ditto here. Sad and disappointed.

[Trevor Legate]

Yet another dark day. Such a waste. Dick was the first driver I saw who could really drive a 427 - I will remember forever watching him blast #198 up a hillclimb road in Nevada at a Ferrari Owners Club meeting - and he was the only driver not to lift as he blasted around the first corner - Fastest Time of the Day, of course.
He rang me recently to talk about books and motorcycle racing and the possibility of coming to Goodwood some time. He's one of a very few people I would forgive for waking me in the early hours of the morning (UK time!!). Strange how a conversation with someone like that makes the world seem a much better place. He will be missed.

[big-boss]

Back in about 1989, I took my fresh Butler Racing Cobra to the Tulare "Cars in The Park" first show. They put me in the "racing cars" catagory while I was sitting over there with some drag car or whatever. This young smart azz restoration guy (Gordon Levy) pushs old 198 over and set up next to me- paint was still wet. I understood Dick promised to have the car in the show- Gordon made it happen. The was one of the best days in my Cobra life hanging out all day with Dick & his wife and Gordon. Gordon was a little ticked about being next to a "Kit Car" but as we all know he got over it. DIck did not care at all- he was as curious about my car as I was his. He was a real guy, solid man of character. I saw him a couple of months ago we started talking about airplanes and he finally realized who my brother was and he promply spun a few yarns in that direction.
Neat thing is we will all celebrate his life through our Cobra adventures for years to come. I believe everybody will miss him- weather you knew him or not. He is a legend, that simple.

[John McMahon]

I am very sad today. Not until I met Dick Smith at last year's SAAC convention, did I fully appreciate what Jamo had been writing about his friend for so long.

Once I met him and found how full of life he was, I finally understood why so many liked him. He seemed to enjoy every person he met. He spoke more about flying I think, than driving.

Always a gentleman, extending his hand in welcome, he will be missed by all who met him. God Speed.

His signature says it all....




DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas - poet

[hey,littlecobra]

oh, this is so sad. I am very very saddened by this news.
Met him in Tulsa June '05, and of course i think everybody knows my story of Tulsa, June '06.
What a loss to the Cobra community, his dear wife Heather, and of course to all of us who consider him a friend.

Thank you for your stories, your wonderful sense of humor and your humility.
Oh, and I'll thank you one last time for your pants.

You will be missed, Dick.
Fondly,
Kristen

[RICK LAKE]

Dick Smith, A Hero, Legend, Pilot, Race car driver, Father, and Friend. I talked to Dick last week, Heather and Dick where in Ireland looking at a summer house. I don't know what the time differents was but I woke them up. SORRY was I. He called me when they got home, They found a small house and where looking to buy it. The other big thing was He was getting together with FFR and the Smith Brothers and going after the Salt flat record for a small block cobra. Joe B was going to build the motor, a FFR cobra, and some help from friends. The man was a racer. He wanted a record for the salt flats racing. 163mph was the class record. He said it was easy with FFR and Joe's motor. I hope FFR still goes after the record and dedicates it to the Smith. God I will miss his story's. His smile, and the great way he was. The man signed autographs for free and said thanks. I have 2, one in an early magazine and the other at SAAC in VA. last year. I missed getting a ride with him. Was hoping to go to Cali. next year and visit. Dick may be gone but never forgotten. Best privateer cobra driver ever. I feel very lucky to have spent time with him. A great Honor. Heather I am so sorry,Logan too. Rick Lake

[Historybuff]

Some guys at Cobra meets are a little standoffish, as if to say "I own this so..." but Dick Smith was the real deal; an old fashioned car guy who coulld be enthusiastic about any sort of mechanical contrivance. I met him at many events in California, the last one a few months ago when he told he how proud he was to take his Cobra back east on a sort of belated "victory tour." I told him I would like to hear his stories when he comes back.

I have driven through that area in the winter and even though it's California they have very nasty winds and weather there due to the mountains, and when I catch up with the details it will probably turn out weather related.

From what I saw, he lived a full life and enjoyed his work and his hobby even more, and wrung out of life the most a man could expect....he was a true gentleman.

[NJ2000R]

I too am saddened, the cobra world and car world in general lost a great guy....meeting him at SAAC31 was great....my condolances to the families and friends left behind, he will be missed....

[maurice19]

I feel so empty with us all losing such a special person.

Live while you can

Maurice

[jwoodard]

What sad news! I was fortunate to met Dick at The Shelby Mid-America meet in Tulsa several years ago. A real loss for the Cobra community, his family and friends. My prayers are with the family!

[h2oman]

Aweful!
Read and heard a lot about him. Stand up guy! Wish I could have met him.
Not only a loss for the Cobra community, but for all racers.

[decooney]

I'm in shock and it just hurts inside. No other way to describe it. He was the one guy who truly took the extra time with all of us, in a kind and special way. I have profound sorrow and the deepest regards for anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. - Dick, if you are looking down on us now, you are truly missed by all of us.-

Last year at our Friday night gathering at WSCB 2006 -

[1985 CCX]

RIP, he will be missed within this community..........

[ROUSHAC]

RIP, Mr. Smith. You will be missed!

I truly regret never having met him, but am in awe of not only the life he lived, but the true friend he was to so many. A rare man and a kind gentleman by all accounts.

My sincere condolences to his family and his many, many friends.

Dave

[DAVID GAGNARD]

I met Dick in Tulsa a few years ago, we happened to park next to each other in the hotel parking lot. I recognized the decals/signs on his enclosed trailer and was "snooping" around it when he walked up, I recognized him from photos and we had a nice chat...saw him again at SAAC at VIR and had the pleasure of running with him door handle to door handle at 130 mph down the front straight the lap before he took his off-road excursion......we chatted and laughed about that afterwards.........

He was a true gentleman in every respect, he will be greatly missed...............

Goodbye Dick..........

David

[jdean]

Dick was a special man. He had all the reasons in the world to be arrogant based on all of his accomplishments, but he was just the opposite. I had the good fortune to meet him a couple of years ago in Tulsa. Dick had been racing cars it seems like forever but still seemed in good shape and young at heart. It was one the best experiences I have had in this Cobra "hobby".

He took time to tell my dad about how his car came to be number 198, and that he was unofficially clocked at just over 200 in the same race.

What a great loss for his family, and the world of car enthusiasts of all types.

[Excaliber]

I have sure enjoyed the banter and stories over the last few years concerning Dicks various adventures and plans. It's been fun and inspiring, I feel the loss, God rest his and his son's soul and may peace find his family.

Ernie