very sad day... tragic story..m dick smith and son die in plane crash


B O N Y

B O N Y

MODERATOR & FGT OWNER
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 5, 2005
12,110
Fresno, Ca.
I am besides myself. Just learned that we lost famed Fresno Cobra racer
Dick Smith and his son in a plane crash yesterday. Dick was a great friend, father, husband and car nut. I am at a loss for words.
 
Very sorry to hear of the loss. God Bless.
 
My prayers and condolences to his family and friends.
 
Bony, I agree what a very sad day for all. Dick, Heather and his son were very good friends with Sue and I. We met each year at MidRegion Meet in Tulsa ( Shelby Club) each year with his FAMOUS #198 427 COBRA of which he gave everyone a ride. He raced with us and the Shelby team cobras in the 60's andwas the Northern Pacific SCCA Champ in 67-68with an incredible speed record at Daytona of 198.045 on the straight in his 427 cobra. What a great Person, Father ,Husband, and still a Race Driver until his death. The last time we talked he was so proud that he had titled his 427 cobra in his young sons name ( age 15-16) to keep in his family. What wonderful stories he could tell about hid Shelby days. What a tragedy. A very sad Tomy & Sue Hamon.
 
Very sad. Rest in peace.
 
very sad stuff, my heart goes out to the family.. was it a single engine plane? other? any details concerning the crash? I have flown 152s over the Florida keys and am always curious as to the details of the events.
 
Very sad. I have known Dick personally for many years. I am lost for words. God Bless Them
 
Sounds like Dick lived life to the fullest and left pleasant memories for friends and strangers wherever he traveled. I'm sorry to have never met him. Leave your mark on every day, life is fragile and even if you live to be 100, it's a quick journey.
 
Kirby Vieira said:
... Leave your mark on every day, life is fragile and even if you live to be 100, it's a quick journey.
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Truer words were never spoken.

My well wishes to his friends and relations.
 
i did not know him, but did hear of him on many occassions.
we all now know two more angels in heaven

bless them

sam
 
Sorry, I am not prepared to go into details today, I am numb.

I want to post that Dick was an ATP rated pilot with tens of thousand hours.

I have flown many hours with him.
He used to live in the first fly in community, Sierra Sky Park.

He was a true gentleman. May he RIP
God bless the Smiths & America,
Daniel
 
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Bony I am very sorry for your loss. I will keep them in my prayers as well as the family and your self. No words will ever be siad that can take the pain away but while we are mear humans we can ask our selves what can we do for our friend now that he is gone. We can pray and help those they left behind. If Dick was here what would he ask us to do for him if anything.

God Bless,
Tom
 
Nothing significant can be added to the sentiments expressed above...and certainly nothing we can say will change anything for those who are left behind.

These unfortunate deaths demonstrate to the rest of us that tomorrow is promised to no one.

My deepest sympathies to all.

Larry
 
bony said:
I am besides myself. Just learned that we lost famed Fresno Cobra racer
Dick Smith and his son in a plane crash yesterday. Dick was a great friend, father, husband and car nut. I am at a loss for words.
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i am so sad to hear of your loss. i feel your pain. 3 people who lived in my airpark died when they were attempting to land their beechcraft in high winds at sedona airport in arizona last sunday. apparently they crashed into the side of the mesa as a result of windsheer.
 
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Dick Smith

I have known Dick Smith for many years - he has brought his awsome red 427 Cobra (with the number "198" on the sides) to many SAAC events.

Dick was a very talented racer, and a genuinely nice guy. Even though he owned an original Cobra, had won an SCCA National Championship (1967-A/P), and set incredible speed records at Daytona (198 mph in his roadster) he never had that "attitude" issue that a lot of successful racers seem to get. He was a true car guy, and was always willing to share a good driving tip, or spin a great racing yarn.

The world has lost a truly great man. RIP, my friend.

Jeff Burgy
 
Dick was a great friend of the Factory Five community. It's unusual for someone with a real Cobra to hang out with replica guys, but he did it all of the time. Dick's Shelby Cobra is CSX3035 and when I received my first Factory Five roadster is was FFR3035. I was so excited; don't ask m why because I know its weird.

The FFR community is posting a lot of great stories about Dick. http://www.ffcobra.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/1/t/088861/p/2.html#000076 He was so well respected and admired by all.

My deepest condolences to the Smith family and friends. He will be missed by all.

- Bill
 
Those of you that attended the SEMA dinner party at my house in November might have gotten a chance to talk to Dick. He blended in so well as just one of the guys, you probably didn't even realize who he was. I had know him a number of years, having been introduced to him by a mutual friend at a COCOA event at Willow Springs International Raceway.

He was truely a gentleman in every sense of the word. No ego that I could tell. Always took time for you no matter who you were. Always had a smile.

He left my party after giving my wife a signed Cobra racing team shirt. I put it away in a special place where it was safe. I think I need to get it out where everyone can see it and I can tell them something about the man behind it.
 
I cannot presume to add anything of value to the heartfelt compassion and memories that Dick and his family shared with so many of you.
Clearly he was a man who thought of others and sincerely shared his passion for Cobras and racing with experts and novices alike.
May we keep the fire burning. My prayers go out to his family and friends, such as you, Bony, and his other acquaintances here on the site.
God Bless.
 
I am so sorry to hear of Dick and his son's passing. I met him here in Tulsa at the Shelby Mid-America meet while admiring his "198" roadster. He took the time to visit with anyone who stopped to ask questions and admire his Cobra. Like CobraJeff said, he was a genuinely nice guy with no pretence at all - very humble - a prince of a man. My prayers go out for all his family and friends.
 
To all those who knew him I'm sorry to hear of the loss of a friend.. God Speed to him and his son.
 
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