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 on 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

  1. ↑ Connolly, John (2 March 2013). "Wizardry of a speed-setter". The Australian.
  2. 1 2 ""Wizard" Smith". The Brisbane Times. 11 March 1930. p. 8.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Walker, Clinton. "Wizard of Oz" (PDF).
  4. 1 2 3 Daw, E.D. Smith, Norman Leslie (1890–1958). Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "First World War Service Record - Norman Leslie Smith". National Archives of Australia. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "First World War Embarkation Roll - Norman Leslie Smith". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "The Story of Silver Wings". iinet. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  8. ↑ "The car with no name". Australian Government. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  9. ↑ "£20,000 CLAIM FOR LIBEL". Barrier Miner. 10 October 1932. p. 1. Retrieved 12 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ ""Wizard" Smith Wins Case". Barrier Miner. 11 November 1932. p. 1.
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