O
nce in a lifetime, if you’re lucky, you
get to see a master exponent of his
or her chosen sport, If you’re very
lucky, like me, you get to compete
against them. Who am I talking about? I’m
talking about the late great Stuart Smith #391.
Although many will argue that he always had
the best equipment. That maybe true, but in
my mind he was the trend setter and any of
his peers could have built, bought or
replicated the race machines that Stuart used
throughout his racing career. Everything
“Smithy” had, had been readily available to
everyon. He just did it first! That, in my book,
shows his forward thinking and skill in the
workshop, as well as on the track.
Stu Smith retired from F1 Stock Car racing at
an emotionally-charged Belle Vue stadium on
7th December, 1986, when fourteen other
World Champions were present. Every one of
them wanting to compete in the Daily Mirror
sponsored Champion of Champions Race,
and of course everyone wanted to win it! As
anticipated, it was in front of a capacity crowd
and although Smithy was on form, he couldn’t
catch the leaders. It was won by Mike Close,
second was Doug Cronshaw and third was
Frankie Wainman Snr, Stu
finishing 4th ahead of the
Dutchman
Friedhelm
Welters
#H8, the
then World Long Track Champion. Just
recalling the occasion brings back so many
personal memories of Stu Smith's 20 year
racing career.
In 1964, Stu wa