of our biggest motor racing challenges. Even now after his return to the States we still only know the man as the one who guided the most successful touring car team in the history of Australian Motor Racing.
In just one season they took out the Touring Car Championship, (first and second) again came home one-two in Australia's premier race, the Hardie-Ferodo 1000, and were the main contributors to Ford's Manchamp success.
A mechanical engineer by trade, Carol Smith's ambition was to become a racing car driver.
In 1960 his main objective was to race full time and with literally no money in the States, he went to Europe and raced quite successfully, until mid 1965. But there wasn't enough success to keep him afloat financially so he returned to the States with no real plans. But he didn't need any, thanks to Carol Shelby.
Chequered Flag:
Is that when it all started?
Carol Smith:
Yes. Shelby, pulled me off a bus in Philadelphia to be Chief Engineer/Project Engineer (it was a small team!) on the Ford GT40's in the Le Mans programme.
Chequered Flag:
What was your next move?
Carol Smith:
To stay in motorsport I left Shelby in '69 when they pulled out of racing and set up Carol Smith Consulting which was a year-to-year proposition.
Chequered Flag:
What was your objective?
Carol Smith:
I wanted to find good young drivers and give them a chance to make it. That is what I derive the most pleasure from.
Chequered Flag:
Who did you handle during that time! .
Carol Smith:
Weeelll Revson, Posey and Danny Ongais (who has just joined FI ranks) are three that I handled. During this time I did the odd long distance race for Ferrari.
Chequered Flag:
Why did you come to work for Moffat?
