Norman Leslie Smith
Norman Leslie Smith, also known by his pseudonym "Wizard",[1] (13 July 1890 – 1 October 1958) was an Australian professional motor racing driver, known for his speed racing records. The Brisbane Times hailed him as "Australia's fastest motor driver".[2]
Early life
Norman Leslie Smith was born 13 July 1890 in North Richmond, Sydney, Australia to Bill Smith and his spouse Cecilia, the youngest of nine children.[3] Both his parents were farmers.[3] Smith was a protege of motor vehicle importer Issac Phizackerley.[4]
Career
Never fear, I will break the world’s record no matter what the conditions are, and, if the gods are good, I will smash it to bits.
— Norman Smith[3]
In World War I, Smith served as a driver at Melbourne,[5] setting off on 22 December 1916, aboard the ship HMAT Persic, A34.[6] After capturing his third major championship, the Alpine Rally in Victoria, Smith became known as "Wizard" Smith or "the Wizard".[3] During his career as a competitive motor racer, Smith drove over 20,000 miles.[7] Driving at incredible speeds never reached before,[3] Smith held the national record for most distance speed records broken in Australia during his time.[7] Among others, he broke a long distance driving record previously set by John "Iron Man" Burton.[4] He was such a fast driver that he made an "express [train] look like a goods train" after driving significantly faster than it.[7] Smith could reportedly drive on for days with little sleep.[7]
In March 1930, Smith filed a request to be allowed to continue naming his race car Anzac. His request was denied on the grounds that it was a breach of the Australian law.[8] In addition to driving, Smith also penned journal entries for newspapers like The Sun and The Sunday Times.[3]
Personal life
Smith wed Harriett Ann Russ on 15 April 1911.[4] According to The Brisbane Times, Smith was "very softly spoken" and was also an "exceptionally careful driver".[2] In October 1932, he filed a lawsuit against Smith's Weekly for libel.[9] The case ended with Smith winning and being compensated £1000 in damages.[10]
References
- ^ Connolly, John (2 March 2013). "Wizardry of a speed-setter". The Australian.
- ^ a b ""Wizard" Smith". The Brisbane Times. 11 March 1930. p. 8.
- ^ a b c d e f Walker, Clinton. "Wizard of Oz" (PDF).
- ^ a b c Daw, E.D. "Smith, Norman Leslie (1890–1958)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
- ^ "First World War Service Record - Norman Leslie Smith". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
- ^ "First World War Embarkation Roll - Norman Leslie Smith". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "The Story of Silver Wings". iinet. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
- ^ "The car with no name". Australian Government. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
- ^ "Wizard's Libel Action". Barrier Miner. October 11, 1932. p. 1.
- ^ ""Wizard" Smith Wins Case". Barrier Miner. November 11, 1932. p. 1.