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Terry Smith

The news came from his friend David Franklin who says the funeral will be at Bristol South Crematorium on Friday 24th March at 1415 and if anyone would like more details, just get in touch. Email

Photo: Terry Smith in the Paddock at Silverstone in 1984.

In 1985, with six rounds of the BCV8 Championship completed, "Bristol grandad Terry Smith" was leading the the series with his 300bhp 4.2 litre MGB V8 Roadster.

Updated: 170303
Posted: 170301

Sadly we hear Terry Smith died on Sunday 26th February from what is believed to have been a heart attack. Through the 1980s he was a popular competitor in his modified V8 Roadster with the distinctive blue and silver colour He was one of the early members of the V8 Register shortly after it was formed in 1978. The genial company of Terry and fellow competitors David Franklin and Terry Osborne were a welcome feature of the BCV8 Championship formed in 1975. David provided technical support for the V8 Roadster at his Huntsman Garage.

David Franklin recalls that in the 1980s "Terry won the Brighton Speed Trial with a 5 litre Repco V8 powered Brabham single seater with a finishing speed of 178 mph I think! He also held the course record. Victor Smith recalls that "at a supper in Brighton after the event his modesty over the award was remarkable". After he sold the V8 Roadster, he raced a Lola T70 with great success in Britain and Europe. In his earlier years he started hill climbing in the early 1960s with a Cooper-Jap formula 3 car. He was a man of great experience".

Mike Maude-Roxby was saddened by the news but said "it takes me right back to the Franklin-Smith racing at Silverstone in the early days! I remember them telling me they were sponsored by Age Concern! Also the "Baldies are Best" stickers! Bless him, he was a nice man and with David Franklin made for a fun time."

Ron Gammons noted "Terry with his lovely West Country burr was a stalwart MG Car Club member and a seriously keen BCV8 competitor and supporter. He always looked on the brighter side of life. A real Clubman and a loss to all".