Dick Smith, #198

[Dave Smith]

In April 2007, the racing community lost the legendary Dick Smith in a plane crash that claimed his life and that of his stepson Kyle. Dick was the owner and driver of CSX 3035, the famous #198 that set a speed record at Daytona with his original Cobra. It's only a matter of time before a book is written about the life and times of Dick Smith. As impressive as his racing victories were, it was his personality and sincere desire to help others that we all remember the most.

I got to know Dick later in life and many others know stories personally that I only know second hand.

I loved Dick Smith. He was a great man, a great teacher and mentor. He was kind, generous, courageous, daring, skillful, a great driver, a great friend, honest, respectful. He never yearned for the limelight, but lived his life in a manner worthy of it, even more than many who get attention.

In 1997 I crashed hard at Run and Gun. After the car was fixed I was putting my helmet on to go back out. Dick was racing with our guys and came over to me. He put his hand on my shoulder and said to me…

“Most of the people here don’t know what it’s like to wreck bad and then go back out… I know you’re scared right now but don’t get into that car and drive like a kitty-cat. “ (But he didn't say kitty-cat.)

When I climbed out of the car he said he was proud of me. That was one of the great moments of my life. I swear I would’ve done anything not to let him down, and I think he knew that. Dick has been the inspiration for so much that we have done at Factory Five. Even through the ****** lawsuits, he was steadfast with great advice. He knew the truth and he said it without window dressing.

Dick was the best. All of us would be lucky to be a tenth the man he was. We miss him so much. We are all the most fortunate for having known him and are all proud as hell that he allowed us to be his friends.

We miss you Dick. We pray you are in heaven right now, at speed and smiling.

Dave Smith

Stories about Dick Smith are numerous and I invite any of you to add your personal stories of Dick. Here's a link to a page with many more images. (http://www.factoryfive.com/table/community/dicksmith/memories.html)

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/community/dicksmith/pics/DSC01152a.jpg
Dick Smith with his wife Heather and me at Infineon Raceway, Factory Five Nationals, 2002

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/community/dicksmith/pics/NEW-20.jpg
Dick Smith gives me some last minute advice before heading out, Run-N-Gun, 1997

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/community/dicksmith/pics/DSC01142.jpg
Dick Smith and Bob Bondurant at Las Vegas 2003 Challenge Series Nationals

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/community/dicksmith/pics/DSC04669.jpg

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/community/dicksmith/pics/run4.jpg
1997 Run-N-Gun, a motley crew in the early days of Factory Five. Dick was a good friend to our company from the earliest days.

http://www.factoryfive.com/table/community/dicksmith/pics/KyleandDickChip.0048.JPG
God Speed Dick Smith.

[Chuck Robertson]

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=698&d=1298388055

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=699&d=1298388057

These shots were taken in the BVI in 2007 when we spent a week sailing. A Pirates Life For Me

[Dave Smith]

Chuck Robertson!! Can you post that photo bigger!? As one of Dicks closest friends, I would love to hear your stories. Good to see you post here man. Say hi to Penny.

Dave Smith

[Gordon Levy]

How many stories do you want, I have many. I also have tons of pics going back to when I restored #198.

[Chuck Robertson]

David, I really don't have any stories of Dick's racing experiences because I didn't know him then. We became freinds latter on. The only time we on the track together was a Willow Springs at a COCOA event, he made me feel like my car was stuck in reverse. To this day I have never seen a guy that could make a Cobra run like Dick did.
Here a shot of Roger getting ready to drive 198 at Willow, I think Roger was ready to poop in his pants, it's sad that neither one of these guys are still with us.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=701&d=1298389760

[Ray]

There is fast and there is quick. Then there is scary fast and scary quick. I got to drive Dick's car once. That car is fast and quick. Then, Dick drove it with me in the passenger seat. SCARY FAST AND SCARY QUICK.

I used to get well over 100-mph a couple of times a shift at work and it wasn't anything I wasn't used to. But that car, with Dick behind the wheel.....that's a whole different kinda fast.

Ray

[riptide motorsport]

Sadly I never knew the man but the stories you all tell over the years makes me wish I had had the opportunity, a life to emulate........Steven

[Dave Smith]

Chuck, I'm working on Rogers thread buddy. What a wonderful time we all had! Post away brothers. I told Heather I would help write a book about Dick and have a tom of his friends and old materails. How lucky we are were to know him.

Dave

[DougR]

Here's a pic of Dick & Chuck my wife took at the 2006 Western States Cobra Bash
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_c-QmPkNdBx0/TWPlBYE80lI/AAAAAAAAAOk/65osV-ZSLdI/100_1676-1.jpg


Help! - How do I change this pic from a thumbnail to a full picture? (Do I feel like a rookie or what?)

[Heather Smith]

It's really nice seeing all of those pictures. Dick was an amazing man with a fabulous life. He is missed every day. Thank you to everyone for keeping his memory alive. It is very fun hearing all the stories about him and seeing pictures I haven't seen before.