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04-19-2007, 10:06 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Greensboro, NC,
Posts: 19
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Not Ranked
Dick Smith Killed in Plane crash
Factory Five forum just posted that Dick Smith Cobra Racing legend was killed in a plane crash yesterday near Tahachapee pass..
Dick RIP
Last edited by Zulu; 04-19-2007 at 10:22 AM..
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04-19-2007, 10:24 AM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Fresno,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 184/482ci Shelby
Posts: 14,448
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Not Ranked
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.
__________________
Jamo
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04-19-2007, 10:34 AM
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Senior Club Cobra Member
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Woodstock,
CT
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 264
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Not Ranked
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
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04-19-2007, 10:37 AM
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Senior Club Cobra Member
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: NorCal,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: A Blue Car
Posts: 949
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Not Ranked
Our very deepest condolences to the Smith family. What a loss.
John Marsey
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NASA - Instructor - 2012 TTA Champion - We Drive Harder!
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04-19-2007, 10:48 AM
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Senior Club Cobra Member
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Northport,
NY
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham, KMP178 / '66 GT350H, 4-speed
Posts: 10,362
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Not Ranked
...aw, sh!t. this is saddening.
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04-19-2007, 10:48 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Fresno,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: Shelby CSX 4766 (Vegas Built) with 482 Aluminum Pond motor
Posts: 814
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Not Ranked
You just never know when it's your time.
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.
__________________
Morgan LeBlanc
Fresno CA
Last edited by RedCSX1; 04-19-2007 at 11:31 AM..
Reason: post picture
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04-19-2007, 10:51 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Bronxville, NY,
Posts: 96
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Not Ranked
Very sad
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.
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04-19-2007, 10:59 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana,
La.
Cobra Make, Engine: Waiting to Order a BDR, engine to be a SA C408. TKO to hook it up.
Posts: 1,259
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Not Ranked
My wishes for strength to his family and those who knew him.
I know I'm the poorer for never having meet him.
__________________
Pull a gear .... drop the hammer .... and enjoy the Drive !!
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04-19-2007, 11:05 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Kansas City,
MO
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique Motorcars 289 FIA
Posts: 711
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Not Ranked
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.
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04-19-2007, 11:18 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 1999
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 2,888
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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
__________________
SAAC member and supporter
Club Cranky charter member
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04-19-2007, 11:20 AM
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Club Cobra Member
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Fresno,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: Classic Roadsters, 351W -> 392
Posts: 1,086
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Not Ranked
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.
__________________
"Smooth seas do not skillful sailors make"
"If you can read this, thank a teacher....and since it's in English, thank a soldier."
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04-19-2007, 11:50 AM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Fresno,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 184/482ci Shelby
Posts: 14,448
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Not Ranked
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...
__________________
Jamo
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04-19-2007, 11:56 AM
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Senior Club Cobra Member
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Northport,
NY
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham, KMP178 / '66 GT350H, 4-speed
Posts: 10,362
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Not Ranked
Quote:
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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
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04-19-2007, 12:10 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: lakewood,
ca
Cobra Make, Engine: Shelby CSX4870, Shelby 496
Posts: 28
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Not Ranked
Dick Smith Passing
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............
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04-19-2007, 12:25 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Duvall,
Wa
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP286, Shelby 482, Webers, 593HP
Posts: 4,162
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Not Ranked
Quote:
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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:
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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............
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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. |
04-19-2007, 12:26 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Palm Coast,
FL
Cobra Make, Engine: Shelby American CSX 4241 - authentically built
Posts: 2,573
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Not Ranked
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.
__________________
Sal Mennella
CSX 4241, KMP 357 - sold and missed, CSX 4819 - cancelled, FFR 5132 - sold
See my car at CSXinfo.net here >> CSX 4241
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04-19-2007, 12:50 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Broken Arrow. OK ( South Tulsa), USA,
OK
Cobra Make, Engine: 66 COBRA FE 427 /4SP. (HCS Coupe w/ 408 Stroker and TKO 600 -sold)
Posts: 5,595
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Not Ranked
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
__________________
Sunshine, Asphalt and no stop signs...Perfect
"Let's roll"
"Be part of Something Good
......Leave Something Good Behind!"
from CD "Long Road Out of Eden"
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04-19-2007, 12:54 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Exeter,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 498
Posts: 495
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Not Ranked
Live for Today!
I knew Dick, not as well as most of you but a very quality individual and family. I know what it is like to loose a loved one in a plane crash, my brothere two years ago another very accomplished pilot- he actually checked Dick out in some sort of business plane. The sad part is the loss becomes greater it seems as time goes on. When people stop asking how you and your family are doing with the loss- it seems to turn inside. It has for me!
Again, my condolences to the family,
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04-19-2007, 01:07 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sonora,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: BDR #89 427 KC alum
Posts: 54
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Not Ranked
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
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04-19-2007, 01:50 PM
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Senior Club Cobra Member
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Mckinney,
TX
Cobra Make, Engine: Lone Star Classics #89 Keith Craft Genesis 427 so, stroked to 482, 649 hp. Sabre GT 40 #16 351W stroked to 408, 527hp, TWM stack injection, Fast XFI, G50/50.
Posts: 537
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Not Ranked
My condolences to the Smith family.
Every year at the Tulsa meet Dick made it a point to come over to "Texas Corner" and have a drink with us, of course there was always a story or two to go along with the drink.
I was lucky enough to get a pic with him last year.
John |
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