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View Full Version : Cobra racer "#198" D!ck Smith dies in plane crash



David Pozzi
05-12-2007, 08:56 AM
http://www.fresnobee.com/273/v-printerfriendly/story/44033.html
I was quite shocked to read that D!ck Smith died in a plane crash last month.
I met him at the Can-Am Reunion at Road America last July. He was a Cobra racer, went 198mph! He was also a former Can-Am series driver and was on the "panel" at RA last year.

He had some free time at the event and since he found out I live not far from his home town of Fresno, he spent some time with us, - took my buddy and I around the track in his rental car, told us stories, and a few tips about driving there. I have to say I was quite impressed with his relaxed manner and kindness. I did see his temper when an official at the gate mis-read our window sticker and didn't want to allow us to enter the paddock! :)

I was looking forward to hanging out with him again at another race and hearing some more stories. I guess I was lucky to have had any time with him at all.
David

Restomod
05-12-2007, 12:17 PM
That sucks,I missed the story.......but the news had EVERYTHING you never wanted to know about white trash spears and paris hoilton.

Ralph LoGrasso
05-12-2007, 01:05 PM
Damn. Sorry to hear :(.

CraigMBA
05-13-2007, 06:43 PM
That does suck. He was a great guy. I only met him a couple of times, and thankfully I was never in need of Dicks' professional services.

PonchoJohn
05-14-2007, 06:06 AM
Wow, what a bummer! I didn't hear about it (probably because I don't pay attention to the "news").
I've seen the Cobra front end smashed a foot into the fender from one of his competion runs- when I was in college, a classmate was working on his car. Man, what an awesome piece of machinery!