Dick Smith Killed in Plane crash

Zulu · #1 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 10:06 AM

Factory Five forum just posted that Dick Smith Cobra Racing legend was killed in a plane crash yesterday near Tahachapee pass..

Dick RIP

Jamo · #2 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 10:24 AM

Unfortunately true, along with his stepson. Sad day here in the Fresno community and everywhere else that Dick reached out to.

Services, etc. will be announced.

jay bentley · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 10:34 AM

I was fortunate enough to meet him this past Labor Day at Lime Rock. We parked our cobras next to each other during the show on Sunday. Dick was a true gentleman. He was probably one of the most sincere people I have ever met. He will be missed.

Jay

jmarsey · #4 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 10:37 AM

Our very deepest condolences to the Smith family. What a loss.

John Marsey

RedCSX1 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 10:48 AM

Confirmed it with Heather this morning. She is a strong person and it will be difficult for a while to come. They were both very in love with each other. I spent time with him this weekend at the tower district car show. Still have the pictures to post of there sweet factory five, Heathers Mustang and of course #198. Everyone who knew him knew that he was in outstanding health and I figured he would live to be 100. You just never know when it will your time. Live for to today. My prayers and thoughts are with Heather and the rest of their family. I am sick over it.

rjbh20 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 10:51 AM

I also met Dick at Lime Rock this past Labor Day. He could not have been friendlier to me and my 10-year old son, who was at the races for the first time. Dick was clearly a gentleman of grace and class.

computerworks · #7 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 10:48 AM

...aw, sh!t. this is saddening.

Doug I · #8 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 10:59 AM

My wishes for strength to his family and those who knew him.

I know I'm the poorer for never having meet him.

Russ Dickey · #9 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 11:05 AM

What a huge loss to our Cobra community. I met him for the first time back in '84, when I was 14 years old. It was at the Folly Vintage Grand Prix here in KC, and he let my younger cousin and I hang around the paddock with him for hours, asking him at least a thousand questions. He was always so gracious and friendly to everyone, and I always admired him for driving his car like it was intended to be driven, and never turning it into a static museum piece.

Godspeed to both he and his stepson - and my thoughts and prayers to the Smith family.

J. T. Toad · #10 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 11:20 AM

The great ones always die young.

This isn't about name dropping, but what a great man he was.

My wife and I met him nearly 13 years ago. He was one the most non-presuming, kind, and caring individuals we had ever met. Quite a rare occurrence in this day and age. His inclusion of acceptance really made us feel comfortable in an environment where we were out of our element.

The really funny thing, I didn't make the connection of who he was until weeks later.

Prayers for their family.

Jamo · #11 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 11:50 AM

Known the man for nearly 30 years...and most of that had nothing to do with Cobras. He flew my client's plane, and I had alot of time sitting in the co-pilot seat next to him going into beautiful places like Blythe and El Centro to deal with strikes. Used to bore me to death with stories about his racing exploits and these damn little cars, and his flying stories. He told Turk, Pat and me a great one several years ago...flying in the Med along the North African coast for a "charter" (as he put it) when our F111s hit Libya.

The man could fly...don't know how many times in 82 he took me into Blythe sideways during windstorms in the Commander, and then back at night, and then back again within a few days. It was a long summer...and yet he never repeated a story (he had that many).

He was so damn happy in his life with Heather...they bought the Mustang convertible in Arizona and had Ken Christiansen go over it with disc brakes etc., and then they drove all over the place with it. He talked more about that car than the damn Cobra. His trip last year around the country after visiting the Bash just seemed to perk him up all over again.

Hell, even the Crankoids adopted him...he cracked me up on his return telling me that the "boys back there are serious about their racing" which was about him doing a little sidetrip off the track when the Joisey guys closed rank on him. Cranky...he really enjoyed youse guys.

He always wore one of his own t-shirts, the ones with "Dick Smith" and the 198 on them. I always teased him saying I was going to make a batch of t-shirts with "Who the hell is Dick Smith?" on them.

We lost a great one...

Don McCain · #12 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 12:10 PM

I can't express the emotions i am feeling right now, but they hurt. Dick and i go back 43 years and i always looked forward to our meetings at the various Shelby events. The man was one of the nicest people i have ever met in my 69 years on this earth and a roll model par excellence. The one thing i shall always remember is the day i sold him what is known as #198 and the shirts i have with that number will be stored in my archives. I am sorry for those of you who didn't have the opportunity to know Dick and his great smile. He will be with me and all those he touched forever. Rest well my friend............

Power Surge · #13 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 12:26 PM

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.

billyboy · #14 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 01:07 PM

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

Brent Mills · #15 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamo

Known the man for nearly 30 years...and most of that had nothing to do with Cobras. He flew my client's plane, and I had alot of time sitting in the co-pilot seat next to him going into beautiful places like Blythe and El Centro to deal with strikes. Used to bore me to death with stories about his racing exploits and these damn little cars, and his flying stories. He told Turk, Pat and me a great one several years ago...flying in the Med along the North African coast for a "charter" (as he put it) when our F111s hit Libya.

The man could fly...don't know how many times in 82 he took me into Blythe sideways during windstorms in the Commander, and then back at night, and then back again within a few days. It was a long summer...and yet he never repeated a story (he had that many).

He was so damn happy in his life with Heather...they bought the Mustang convertible in Arizona and had Ken Christiansen go over it with disc brakes etc., and then they drove all over the place with it. He talked more about that car than the damn Cobra. His trip last year around the country after visiting the Bash just seemed to perk him up all over again.

Hell, even the Crankoids adopted him...he cracked me up on his return telling me that the "boys back there are serious about their racing" which was about him doing a little sidetrip off the track when the Joisey guys closed rank on him. Cranky...he really enjoyed youse guys.

He always wore one of his own t-shirts, the ones with "Dick Smith" and the 198 on them. I always teased him saying I was going to make a batch of t-shirts with "Who the hell is Dick Smith?" on them.

We lost a great one...

Quote:

Posted by Don McCain: I can't express the emotions i am feeling right now, but they hurt. Dick and i go back 43 years and i always looked forward to our meetings at the various Shelby events. The man was one of the nicest people i have ever met in my 69 years on this earth and a roll model par excellence. The one thing i shall always remember is the day i sold him what is known as #198 and the shirts i have with that number will be stored in my archives. I am sorry for those of you who didn't have the opportunity to know Dick and his great smile. He will be with me and all those he touched forever. Rest well my friend............

Very, very, sad. Reading your comments Jamo/Don, well, it makes me feel worse in a way and better in another. His racing history is one thing, but the way he touched people in a personal way, well, that makes him missed even more. Thanks for sharing these sorts of personal stories.

John McMahon · #16 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 04:21 PM

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

daltondavid · #17 (**permalink**) 04-22-2007, 11:11 PM

It is Sad and Tragic to see not just Dick Smith but his 16 year old Step son Die as well. the Boy sounded full of life and Dick probably had a lot to do with that. I never knew either of them, but have always admired Dick and never read a bad word about him. he definitely led an interesting life and I admire him for it. I cannot imagine the grief that many are suffering right now over this. My thoughts and Prayers are with all who knew him.

RACER X #99 · #18 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 11:18 AM

Condolenses to his family from the guys at Club Cranky.
We had the pleasure of meeting him last July at SAAC at VIR, a real gentleman.

Roger Davis

computerworks · #19 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

Condolenses to his family from the guys at Club Cranky.
We had the pleasure of meeting him last July at SAAC at VIR, a real gentleman.

Roger Davis

Clois Harlan · #20 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 12:50 PM

Absolutely shocking, what a loss.

I have the utmost respect for Dick Smith and his wife Heather who took the time to talk to my wife and I two years ago here in Tulsa. They both put Sharon at ease about my racing one night while we were discussion the Vintage race the next day. Dicks enthuasim and story telling will be sorely missed. Damn it I hate hearing this kind of news!

Clois