Club Cobra - Dick Smith Killed in Plane crash

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- - Dick Smith Killed in Plane crash (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/all-cobra-talk/78302-dick-smith-killed-plane-crash.html)

I got to spend a few hours with him at his house back in 2005 (and a quick 'hi' at SAAC31). His wife was recovering at home after a bad car accident, but he still spent some time with an out-of-town visitor talking cars, planes, and racing. He showed me the Daytona certification of his official speed that was hanging in his hallway and gave me one of his t-shirts and a bit of rubber from the original slick he set the 198mph Daytona lap with. He then took me to a local speed shop and introduced me to some of the guys there.

Fantastically friendly guy - I can't say that I knew him, but I wish I did.

There will be a Corvette engine joining in with the noise on Saturday night. He beat enough of them in competition - I think it's fitting that at least one gives him some revs in respect.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ith-1967sm.jpg

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ith_2005sm.jpg

The rest of the pics I took that afternoon can be seen here:
http://public.fotki.com/VRM/fordshel...obras/csx3035/

Steve

The B&W shot is terrific. Thanks for posting it.

I can't believe the news. I've been out of contact with normal media since the 17th. This news is very sad. I first met Dick way back in the early 80's, at Sebring, for the vintage race. Imagine, all the way to Fla. from Fresno, to vintage race, in some upstart racing association.

He was forced off the track in the first turn by a couple of idiots in Porsches, actually trying to beat him thru the turn, anyway, that resulted in a fuel line leak, which in turn caused a fire, right behind him. A little paint melting, a slight black mark on his suit.

Needless to say he wasn't happy, but as all true gentleman are, it soon was forgotten. The damage wasn't too bad, I was more upset than he was, I had wanted to see him actually race.

I was there helping C. Gutke with his Cobra, who was also vintage racing.

I wasn't a close friend, and in reality, just an aquaintance, none the less, as others have said, he treated all he met, with respect and friendship.

Anyhow, there is nothing one can say, or add, he was loved by his family and friends, and he loved them back. A genuinely GOOD HUMAN BEING.

What better legacy ?

Jamo any chance of you getting a spare Frenso Bee with the storys. I want to save them for the future. I am going to start collecting info. There is going to be a book about this man. In a week or so a want to start with the stories about his racing days. If Dave Smith who writes doesnot have the time, I will take a whack at it. Rick Lake

Just call the Bee...

It's already been a year?
Damn.

awwwww. i was just thinking the other day it was about this time.... Maybe off a few days. :(
I look through my albums with such fond thoughts.
thanks for bringing this back up, Miles. :)
Kristen