Dick Smothers first began his driving career by enrolling in the Jim Russell Driving School at Willow Spring, Calif., in November, 1967. He learned in a Lotus 51 Formula Ford and after U lessons he bought a BRABHAM BT 21 Formula 'B' car and obtained his SCCA Regional Drivers license in December, 1967.
In February, 1968, he obtained his National SCCA license and placed a second in his first National race, driving the Formula 'B' car. At this time he formed the first Smothers Brothers
Formula 'A' racing team with Dr. Lou Sell, driving a Formula 'A' Eagle Chevy, Dr. Sell driving the 'A' car, Dick driving the 'B'. They campaigned the 1968 SCCA Formula 'A1 and 'B1 Professional Series. Dr. Lou Sell won the Series Championship for the Smothers Brothers Racing Team with 5 wins out of 8 races. Dick entered 5 out of the 8 and had a third and fourth place finish in 2 of the races. The rest were DNF's due to mechanical failures.
Subject ID: 54049
MoreDick Smothers first began his driving career by enrolling in the Jim Russell Driving School at Willow Spring, Calif., in November, 1967. He learned in a Lotus 51 Formula Ford and after U lessons he bought a BRABHAM BT 21 Formula 'B' car and obtained his SCCA Regional Drivers license in December, 1967.
In February, 1968, he obtained his National SCCA license and placed a second in his first National race, driving the Formula 'B' car. At this time he formed the first Smothers Brothers
Formula 'A' racing team with Dr. Lou Sell, driving a Formula 'A' Eagle Chevy, Dr. Sell driving the 'A' car, Dick driving the 'B'. They campaigned the 1968 SCCA Formula 'A1 and 'B1 Professional Series. Dr. Lou Sell won the Series Championship for the Smothers Brothers Racing Team with 5 wins out of 8 races. Dick entered 5 out of the 8 and had a third and fourth place finish in 2 of the races. The rest were DNF's due to mechanical failures.
Though Dick's record was not spectacular, one key point stands out. He qualified generally in the top U or 5 cars, which is a considerable accomplishment for a first-year driver.
Almost one year to the day of Dick obtaining his National license, he entered the Sebring 12 Hour Endurance Race in a Porche 906 E he had recently purchased.
This finish is even more impressive in light of the fact that there were 70 cars entered and their car was in the under 2-liter class, competing against much larger cars.
Later on in the year, they entered the Watkins Glen Six Hour Endurance Race and did even better by finishing sixth over-all and, once again, first in the under 2-liter class.
In the second year of this series, the name was changed to the Continental Championships with Dick making a late start.
His driving this year (1969)improved tremendously, with Dick qualifying in the order of eighteenth, twelfth, eighth, tied for first, fourth, second, etc. So, all things considered for a driver who was supposedly just an entertainer and trying to cash in on the glamour of racing, Dick's agressiveness and constant improvement as a driver is remarkable.
This brings us up to the Continental Series of 1970 and the formation of the Smothers-Wintersteen Racing Team. Dick Smothers will be driving a Formula 'A' Lotus along with George. This is another logical step for him as a driver. Though this is his first year in the Formula 'A1 car, his past history in professional competition promises an exciting career in the "Continental Championships".
Subject ID: 54049
Subject ID: 54049