Ken Smith (racing driver)
| Kenneth Smith | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  New Zealander |
| Born | 11 August 1942 |
| Awards | |
| 1987 | Member of the Order of the British Empire |
Kenneth James Smith MBE (born 11 August 1942) is a New Zealand motor racing driver, who won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1976, 1990, and 2004.[1][2]
Smith first competed in motor racing in 1958, winning the New Zealand Hill Climb championship when he was 16. He progressed to single seater racing in 1962, first driving a Lola March T, Formula Junior car. Later he raced in Formula Ford, Formula 5000, Formula Pacific, Formula Mondial, and Toyota Racing Series among others[3][4]
Smith won the Gold Star Drivers Award in the 1975–1976, 1983–1984, 1984–1985, 1986–1987 and 1989–1990 seasons.[5] In 2011 Smith won the Formula 5000 Revival championship for the third time.[6] As well as his victories in New Zealand, Smith also won the Penang Grand Prix three times, the Selangor Grand Prix twice, and the Malaysian Grand Prix once.[7]
Honours and awards
Smith was awarded the MBE in the 1987 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to motorsport,[8] and in 1995 was inducted into the New Zealand Motorsport Hall of Fame.[9] In 2008 he received the Motorsport Personality of the Year award.[10] In 2010 he received a Motorsport New Zealand Special Award given in recognition of his pivotal role in motorsport.[11]
References
- ^ "Ken Smith Still Has Winning Formula". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "New Zealand Grand Prix". Toyota Racing Series. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "Ken Smith". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "Toyota Racing Series". Toyota Racing Series. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "Gold Star Race Champions - Single Seater". Motorsport New Zealand. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "Smith Secures Third Consecutive Formula 5000 Revival Crown". Motorsport New Zealand. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "Titles". Ken Smith. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ London Gazette (supplement), No. 50950, 12 June 1987. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
- ^ "'You' Night Attracts Scott Dixon". scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "Motorsport New Zealand Media Awards". Motorsport New Zealand. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "Motorsport New Zealand Special Award". Motorsport New Zealand. Retrieved 8 January 2011.