Vallejo Speedway Hardtops & Memories |
Dick Smith Photos |
Richard "Dick" Smith who now lives, and has a shop in Indiana, ( pic at right shows his "Flying Tolilet Car" in front of his shop).Sent a few of his Vallejo pictures. Richard started going to the speedway in 1963 as a crewman for car owner Gordy VanNess, who's Red 8 Ball coupe was driven by Rich Govan. |
Dick's first car was this Chevy, that Dave Logan helped him build. His 1st night out he was so nervous that he said he was about ready to throw up. |
Dick got slightly burned as a result of this fuel fire. He wouldn't have gotten burned except in those days everyone wore t-shirts and white pants when they drove. Fire retardent clothes with stripes were only recommened safety items. The #28 in the background was driven by Glenn Switzer |
Rocky Robinson puts out the fire on Dick's hardtop. Jim Brown, son of midget driver Woody Brown is also there to help |
Here Dick drives the Darrell Woitman owned #27 Super Mod. The car was orginally built for Joe Leonard to run San Jose. Dick won races in this car at Placerville, Sacramento, and Vallejo Speedways. On this outside of Dick in this picture is John Viel in his own Super. |
#94 Dick Smith & Tom Abrue with the interesting exhaust stacks try to push the #26 Fertandes Plumbing & Heating car out of the way. |
#94 Dick Smith & # 2 Larry Damtiz do battle at Vallejo's fast quarter mile |
Dick at the wheel of the #44 midget during a heat race. |