RICK @ the RACES (10/11 March 2012)
R.I.P Dave ‘Smiffyman’ Smith
This week my report starts on a sad note, with the news that one of my good friends and www.rickattheraces.com contributor Dave ‘Smiffyman’ Smith passed away on Saturday 10 March.
While I was traveling down to Syracuse NY , for the Motor Sports Expo, when I received a Face Book message from his wife Carol, relaying the sad news.
I first met racing photographer Dave, from Erith in Kent (UK), back in 2004, when we were both involved in the SHORT CIRCUIT MAGAZINE ‘Team Foskett Canadian Tour’.
( For those that don’t know, it was a racing tour of four Canadian tracks by UK driver Malcolm Foskett).
Dave was a happy go lucky person that you instantly liked. Since that first meeting back in 2004 we’ve kept in touch , and over the years have reunited many times at the various race tracks. After visiting those first Canadian tracks at Merrittville, Brockville, Edelweiss, Capital City and Cornwall, he returned to Canada when ever he could. He went on to take pics at Humberstone, near Port Colborne as well as Oshweken for his great love of Sprint Car Racing. One of his great action photos from the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals appeared on the front cover of INSIDE TRACK, Canada’s leading monthly auto racing journal.
He’d recently been involved in the UK Sprint Car scene and was good friends with Vince O’Connor, the man behind them. I met up with Dave and Vince in Florida back in 2009 when they were over ‘this side of the pond’ checking out the action.
On my trips back to the UK , I’d often join Dave to take pictures at such places as Ipswich, Brafield and Arena Essex.
One of the most popular sections on my web site www.rickattheraces.com is the ‘Pretty Faces’ gallery and it’s Dave I have to thank for this. Over the years he forwarded some of the pictures he’d taken of the UK ‘Trophy Girls’ and it was after seeing these, that I wanted to get in on the act too.
( His ‘Pretty Faces’ collection can be seen on my site, as well as his racing shots in the ‘Friends Fotos’ section)
When we met up in 2010 for the Hot Rod World Final at Ipswich he’d arranged a special photo shoot for me with the ‘Trophy Girls’ .
He was a great friend and had a heart of gold. I’ve lost count of the number of ‘Smiffyman’ T Shirts and photo CD’s he’s sent me.
Poor health had been plaguing him for quite a while, which reduced the number of events he covered as well as putting a stop to his trans Atlantic trips.
A few weeks ago , I heard that he was in hospital again, and this past Saturday he finally succumbed to his long illness. He will be missed by many us, you could not of wished to meet a nicer guy.
R.I.P Dave ‘Smiffyman’ Smith
10 March Syracuse , New York Motor Sports Expo
This past weekend the annual Motor Sports Expo was being staged in Syracuse NY, and as usual it was an event I’d been looking forward to . As well as having the opportunity to see some of the new race cars, it’s the show where race fans can pick up the schedule cards to plan their year and get in the mood for racing.
After shoveling a ‘fresh dump’ of snow from my driveway, first thing on Saturday morning I left Cornwall , Ontario at 10-00am.
Once I’d reached Central Square NY, I stopped by at McDonalds for lunch and to check my e-mail and Face Book updates. This was where I read the sad news about my buddy ‘Smiffyman’.
The show was being held at the New York State Fairgrounds and when I got there soon after 2-00 pm, it soon became evident, that it was busier than recent years. ( I had a hard time finding a spot to park)
Once inside the building my first priority was to head towards the Finish Line Web Design stand. www.rickattheraces webmaster Craig Revelle was there to show off the services he has on offer. 
The center piece on his stand was the DIRT Sportsman car of his friend and client Dillon Sallows.
As usual there was plenty to see at the show and many racing friends in attendance to chat with. I wont attempt at listing them all, in fear of missing anyone out. 
Most of my afternoon was spent taking pictures of the race cars, to send out to the media and to add to my web site.
In previous years the Motor Sports Expo has staged the annual Miss DIRT pageant, but for some reason it wasn’t held this year. Now that was a shame ! and a bit disappointing , but at least it meant I got on my journey home earlier.
After stopping for supper at the ‘Tilted Kilt’ in Watertown NY , I was back in Cornwall by 10-00 pm.