[Biplanemavin]

I met Dick Smith after a vintage car race in Lime Rock, Labor Day Weekend, 2006. He ran against an E-Jag, an Allard, a '64 Ferrari GTO and 8 or 9 other cars, some not so competitive. The Jag sat on the pole, the Allard was 2nd and the GTO third. Dick started in 4th place. After a race I never wanted to see end, the Jag won, Dick was 2nd and the GTO third. I was about 100 yards away from the track and I could feel the ground pound when the Cobra came past. The Ferrari made that fantastic "other world" noise that only a high-revving 12 can make. It was fantastic to hear and see 40 year old pieces tearing up the course.

Dick was a great conversationalist. It didn't take long in our discussion before the topic got to Daytona and the record run. He said he did it with much help from a team of Ford factory engineers. He also said those guys clocked him at 201 and change, but he went with the official track time. I told him how mine feels like it's on ice when I get to about 100. He said his was not much better. He said he was determind to either set the record or make the most spectacular mess anyone ever saw.

I couldn't wait to get back to Lime Rock the next year to see him run again. We all know what happend in the interim. He was truly a great man and an equally great ambassador to the sport and hobby.