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PAUL JOHN SMITH 21ST FEBRUARY 1975 - 1ST JUNE 2020 A LIFE LIVED WELL - IN WORDS AND PICTURES

Because, in a split second, it’s gone. Ayrton Senna

PAUL JOHN SMITH 21ST FEBRUARY 1975 - 1ST JUNE 2020 Paul was born at 3.24am at home. It wasn’t the way it was meant to happen. But it presented the first inkling of the fact that the son Deborah and Robert had so desperately tried for, was going to be a constant pain the in back side! In the rhetorical sense, of course... He was nicknamed ‘Whirlwind’ from the early days. It seemed a bit of a blur between first making his way into the world and being up and walking on his own. Anything and everything presented itself as a tool to keep himself upright - chairs, tables, expensive electrical goods and even the dog - and it didn’t take all that long for mum & dad to realise that life would never be the same. Ever again! Paul was a bit accident-prone, let’s say. Within two weeks of starting infants’ school, he’d visited A&E three times! A broken nose, concussion and a burns injury almost resulted in a visit from Social Services, but it was all down receiving a football in his face, falling from a climbing frame and running into an unattended cup of coffee! He was a quick learner, though, and was a good listener, too. He picked up riding a bike easily and within a couple of years, was impatiently exploring other ways of getting around. By the time he was 8 years old, with Robert, he would spend hours in the shed playing with wood and pram wheels to make all manner of go karts and the like. Robert’s love of all things with four wheels was rubbing off on his son. Paul had real ambition and from an early age, was setting his sights on making it “big”...

I REMEMBER... “I met Paul on the first day of junior school. We were put together in Registration and quickly became good friends. I secretly thought he was a bit strange to start with as, by the end of the first week, he’d thrown his pencils across the room when his bag wouldn’t open multiple times, managed to staple the arm of his blazer to the desk and he introduced me to the dark art of swearing, to the shock of my mother! As time went on, though, we became really close. We were both really into cars and when he had already decided that one day he was going to be a champion racing driver, I really wanted to be a part of it. When we went to secondary school, my parents wanted me to go to Clinton, but I wanted to go to Cartman school because that’s where Paul was going. Thankfully I got my own way. As teenagers, we spent just about every day together. Our interest in cars and racing meant that when we weren’t watching the racing, or playing racing games, we were in the garage, tinkering with car stuff. Robert bought Paul an old Vauxhall Nova for his 12th birthday, for him to tinker with. We both enjoyed donning our oversized overalls and getting our hands oily - I remember the look on his face the first time the engine turned over. School friends didn’t really get it when Paul didn’t want to socialise and wanted to spend all of his time with his head underneath the bonnet of a car or out on the go kart track. I remember the day he met Julie. We were supposed to be going out in the car for the first time. When he was putting petrol in it on the way to mine, she was walking back to her car when her heel broke and she twisted and broke her ankle! He eventually rang me, firstly to tell me he was waiting in A&E, and secondly to say he thought he was in love!! The rest, as they say, is history. I miss you so much. I’m proud to have been there to witness your successes in life and to have been there to support you when you needed it. Whatever you’re doing up there, I hope that engines exist. Love you, mate!” Ricky, best friend

Paul adored school and his ability to learn was legendary, even at infant’s school. Paul loved to read and by the time he was in infants’ school, he was a little walking encyclopaedia. Infinitely inquisitive, even the teachers would sometimes remark that he asks too many questions in class! Without fail, when school had finished for the day and Deborah would be waiting in the playground for Paul to come out, he would be the last one out of the building. He always said he’d lost his coat or his bag and was looking for it. One day, after 20 minutes of waiting, Deborah raised the alarm and declared him missing. Parents, children and teachers started the search and eventually he was found. In the Library. Under a desk. Buried in a copy of “James and the Giant Peach”. It turned out that he did this every day and speed-read a chapter of his favourite books. On this occasion, he couldn’t put it down! In the final year of Infants’ School, when he was 10, Paul got a part in the Christmas play as Joseph. One of his teachers, Mrs Stanley, approached Deborah one day and asked, humourously, if there was anything he couldn’t do. Apparently, as rehearsals progressed, he would point out spelling mistakes in the script and start to actually direct the play himself. One of the funniest moments of all was when, at the very end of the first night’s performance, in front of everybody, as the curtain was about to go down, Paul exited stage left and shouted out at the top of his voice, “CUT! THAT’S A WRAP!” It was at Junior school that Paul first met Ricky. They only lived two roads away from each other but in all their lifetimes, didn’t know each other existed. Ricky was into cars, too, and had an older brother Charlie who was in the sixth form in senior school. His passion was slot cars and he’d built a huge track setup in his parents’ garage. Paul went to Ricky’s whenever he could and they all spent hours playing on it. When Paul really started getting into the procedure of involving himself in motor sport and getting into karting, Ricky was there to take it in. Robert and Paul would take Ricky to most of the places they went to and Ricky was roped in to help out where he could. The two have been inseparable since. Because of Paul’s racing commitments, the problem of it getting in the way of his education became a bit of a concern. So it was agreed that he would take his exams early to see if he could fast-track his way through school. So he crammed and took his exams in March 1987, four years earlier than everyone else. It shouldn’t have come as any surprise that he passed them all - except Religious Studies - and so now he was free to pursue his dream career. He saw the rest of the year out and left school in the July. He immediately set about spending the time in practice for his first Winter season in go karting.

Paul and Julie married at All-Saints’ I REMEMBER... in Chelmsfield on 31st May 1996. Paul and Julie’s Wedding Day was the happiest day of Paul had rather drunkenly proposed two my life. From the day they very first met, I knew that years earlier. Julie had fallen down the stairs my daughter was in a safe pair of hands. The first the day previously and Paul was, at the time, conversation I had with Paul was when he called to say in Amsterdam on his brother John’s stag he was with Julie in A&E at St. James’ Hospital. When I week. Upon hearing what had happened, calmed down, he said she’d busted her ankle and that he immediately headed to the airport and he’d driven here there. Shortly after that, he was a part flew back to be with Julie and help look of the family. after everything. The day itself was perfect. The sun was shining, the venue When Paul and Julie returned home from was amazing and the guests beautifully turned out. the hospital, he placed Julie in front of Harvey, Paul’s dog, was the ring bearer and after a short “Homes Under the Hammer” and Phoned burst of excitableness, he performed his duty perfectly. John and the chaps back in Amsterdam. After three hours of remote shouting, Paul bringing Anton and D’Arcy across from Switzerland laughing, joking and drinking, he gingerly was just wonderful. And, I don’t know if the bouquet was sat next to Julie, took her hand and intentionally thrown in my direction, but I caught proposed. With a salt and vinegar flavoured it anyway! I just need to ditch the old man, now! Hula-Hoop! Janice, Julie’s mother After a couple of seconds of carefully considered thought, she said “yes” and Paul immediately got back on the phone for another three and a half hours! With Ricky as Paul’s Best Man, Katie, Rachael, Mel, Caroline, Audrey, Heather, Barbara, Tina and Gill as Julie’s Bridesmaids, and Harvey the dog as Ring Bearer, they decided on it being a relatively simple affair! Paul and Julie were both Christened at All Saints’, so it seemed a good place to get married. One thing Paul was intent on doing was to get Julie’s Great Aunt and Uncle across from Switzerland without her knowing. She hadn’t seen them in person for many years and missed them dearly. Her reaction to them being there was priceless! The speeches were raucous, with Ricky launching into a 20 minute, full-blown comedy rant! You could hear the ribs cracking, people were laughing so hard. The things we learned were, in the main, eye-watering. Anyone who was there will remember that it was the perfect day for the perfect couple to have the perfect wedding. After the reception, they left for a night in London, before jetting off to The Maldives for 10 days, taking the majority of the wedding party with them!!!

I REMEMBER... “Just a blur - that’s how I remember it. It was a day I NEVER wanted to end, and it almost didn’t as we were still going until almost mid-day on the Sunday! My speech rocked - never have I seen Paul blush like that. And Julie looked gorgeous! Paul getting Anton and D’Arcy there was a master-stroke, and she’ll love him forever for that! But Paul was so calm - he knew this day would go faultlessly - and it did. Proud of you, man. Julie and the kids will be well looked after by all of us.” Ricky, best friend and Best Man

The world of motor racing is villa in Spain and a fabulous west fast-paced and high-octane. country retreat with a swimming pool, which is where they spent But with maximum effort came most of their time. maximum reward. With Robert’s guidance, Paul was able to make And what racing driver doesn’t the most of the good fortune he have a Ferrari? Something Paul was accumulating by investing had always dreamed of, he finally wisely in his experience. picked up his flaming red baby from the factory himself and With looking after Julie and the drove it home from Italy with boys being of top priority to Julie by his side. him, even before racing itself, he put away funds for Michael And Deborah and Robert were and Andrew while investing in given the holiday of a lifetime property which saw a beautiful with a 6-month world cruise! I REMEMBER... “This is incredible. We’ve worked so hard for this. I want to thank my dad for building me up to this. To the team and everyone who’s worked behind the scenes, in the garage, the pit wall. They’ve done a top job. Most of all though, Julie - I love you so much - without you I’d be nothing. And Mikey and Andy. You’re my special boys and you always will be - my world revolves around you - any successes of mine are successes of yours. You guys are my inspiration. Love you. See you when I get home!” Paul, in 2018, on winning the Formula Wisdom Championship for the second year running.

Paul loved traveling to foreign countries Honeymooning in the Maldives in 1996 was and, with Julie, took holidays in beautiful “absolutely the best experience of our lives”, SCUBA locations around the world. diving with turtles and laying on deserted beaches. It was while they were out there that Paul and Julie Before concentrating on his motor sport made the decision to start a family. commitments, Paul enjoyed jet-setting with Ricky to far-flung countries. In 1994, they travelled to As his racing career progressed, Paul was travelling America and visited 12 states over the course of all over the world and where possible, Julie and the three months. With the idea of visiting every state, boys followed. He and Ricky were able to take in a they intended to go back, but in the meantime, Paul few more of the American states and Paul managed learned of his acceptance into the “Aquarius Racing” to visit “the most bucket-list of all places on Earth”, motor sport team as a shakedown driver for the Dubai and the United Arab Emirates - where his 1997 amateur open-wheeler racing series. So that racing team hooked him up with a drive in his all plan was put on hold. time favourite car, a McLaren F1.

I REMEMBER... “Paul was the ultimate family man. Every moment he spent was dedicated to them. His selfless acts included returning early from his brother John’s stag week in Amsterdam, despite Julie’s protestations, when she took a tumble and broke her foot. And he turned down the opportunity to be part of a pro-celebrity football tournament because Michael’s school play fell within the same week. I feel so incredibly proud to have had such a loving, caring and unselfish son in my life.” Deborah, mum-in-a-million

Michael Robert Smith was born in the early Paul, however, somehow, rather recklessly, given the hours of Thursday 25th February 1997. Julie threat handed to him by Julie some years previously, really suffered during pregnancy and vowed managed to get Julie to agree to having a second NEVER to do that ever again and that if Paul child and, in November 2001, Andrew Paul Smith came within a mile of her, she’d “chop off was welcomed into the world. Paul dubbed him his doo-dah”! ‘The Accident’ - which went down well with Julie, as you can imagine! Like his father, Michael was a quick learner. He was also a very calm and placid baby who, over the He was a VERY big boy, at 10lb on the nose. Once course of his early years, showed very little intention again, Julie suffered massively during the pregnancy of causing any anguish, sleeping ‘like a baby’ and and when Andrew finally arrived, three weeks late, taking teething and other growing pains as though Julie threatened to do the “doo-dah” thing right they weren’t even happening - the perfect child! there and then! There was NO QUESTION that two was enough! He had a best friend and adopter from an early age. Harvey was a very protective sidekick and, although he knew his limits, would guide Michael away from any danger as though it was a natural instinct. Often the two would snuggle up on the sofa, with Michael asleep and Harvey keeping a watching brief. A partnership that lasted years. Michael was instantly smitten. He was constantly itching to be involved in the little one’s upbringing, once again feeding his will to learn – changing nappies, getting him dressed and later on spoon- feeding and putting him to bed. Julie almost had nothing to do. In Michael’s mind, helping Andrew to learn to walk was just like learning to ride a bike, something he’d achieved himself a good while prior. I REMEMBER... “Paul was in Newcastle when Michael was born. Julie had a really rough ride with the pregnancy and she was rushed into hospital 2 weeks earlier than expected. Paul was being fitted out for new gear for his up-coming racing season. When he got the news, he flew back so quickly that when he arrived at the hospital, he still had his racing boots on! Julie stayed in over-night and Paul slept in the chair next to Julie’s bed, holding her hand all night” Robert, doting dad

Michael and Andrew have grown to be big, I REMEMBER... strong boys and have enjoyed every moment of their lives, living it to the max. “Dad is incredible. All of my friends wanted a dad like him! When I was younger, he used to Michael, from an early age, became a bit of a “ladies tell me about how my Grandad Robert used to man”! He somehow, despite also being a “man’s work with him in the shed making go karts. He man”, knew when to call it a day with the lads and kept all of the ones they made and showed us home in on a beauty he had his eye on. At Junior how they worked. He was really proud of my school, he struck up a friendship with Liz who interest in art and he used to show me how to was in his class. He put up with the ribbing that draw cars and bikes. He’d help with homework his mates gave him at the time and it stuck, to the and sit with us watching movies and playing point that they are still together now. And they are games. He is Superman to us. I loved to watch as inseparable now as Paul and Julie were way back him race and I also wish he didn’t race. He’d when, enjoying wining and dining, walking the dog, still be here. We all liked being happy with each trips away and other activities together. other. We promise to look after mum. I miss you so much” Andrew, however, has decided that he isn’t going to Michael be tied down any time soon! Rarely to be seen inside the four walls of home, with his large circle of friends he enjoys pubs, clubs, social events and having the time of his life. Of course, given the time that Paul, and Robert, spent with them, there was no question that the passion for all things with wheels was running through their veins. Bikes, go karts, skateboards and the like were built, ridden and broken in equal measure! Paul was very proud of the Vauxhall Nova Robert bought for him to re-build which he had kept pristine for all the years since then. He’d show the boys everything he did with it and they loved being taken out in it. Even to this day, Paul and Robert would tinker with it to try to get more from it. Paul intended to do the same for the boys, but never quite got around to it. When Paul started racing, he took them everywhere. They’d sleep in motor homes at the track and Paul tried to get them as close to the action as he could whenever he was able to. Andrew in particular was always eager to get in and see the workings of all of the machinery that was around him! Both did phenomenally well at school, with both at the time having lofty ambitions to go on to college and university. Although his interest in cars has never waned, Michael has a very keen interest in Architecture and one day wants to build his own majestic property! Andrew has Engineering in his blood and is looking to get into motor sport, too. Both parents are immensely proud of the gentlemen they have brought up and Julie says that Paul will be looking down with pride bursting from his heart.

I REMEMBER... dad at school. His team treated us as we were part of it. It was so good. He supported us more than we “Dad was, or is, just an amazing man. He loved could ever support him - and we tried. He would mum and us more than anything. When he started make sure that we got anything we needed. But his car racing, he would always stop things to look never spoilt us with everything we wanted. We will after us if he needed to, even if it meant that others never see another like him. We will never forget the had to do other things instead. Watching him race best dad in the world. Ever.” was amazing – and we got into the garages and Andrew were able to see the cars up close, and he used to take us around the track and more. He IS the cool I REMEMBER... “Julie and Paul have been so good to me, welcoming me into the family. Although I have never found cars interesting, Paul always managed to make it all sound so exciting, I’m lost for words that he has gone. I loved him like my own dad.” Liz, Michael’s girlfriend

Robert’s influence from an early age saw Paul chasing a career in racing from the start. Paul and Robert would be glued to the television every Grand Prix weekend for every second it was being broadcast. With the door firmly shut, fully charged drinks bottles and the volume up high, they watched, discussed, argued, disagreed and agreed on all aspects of the racing discipline! Robert bought an old car to restore with Paul, who in the end took the lead himself. Previously to that, Robert got Paul involved in club-level go karting and, soon enough, he was showing enough promise to work his way up the ranks. After winning the club- level championship twice and showing impatience to further himself, Robert enquired with racing teams to see if Paul’s progress could be further continued. Under Robert’s management, Paul was called up by Aquarius Racing and a meeting with Tedd Murray, the team’s Principal, was arranged at the Brands Hatch circuit. Paul was presented with a Formula Ford 1600 single seater racing car and was told to “just go for it”. 10 or so laps later, he was placed into the team’s Young Driver’s Apprentice Scheme. In his first season he finished a close second to his eventual team mate, Andy Scott. Paul was promoted to first-team status, and the two dominated the next season with Paul reversing their fortunes. Opportunities started to present themselves from all angles. He was invited over to Germany for a Porsche 911 race in which he finished third. He drove an Audi R8 GT3 car around the Nordschleiffe to record a time just a couple of seconds shy of a regular pro-driver’s achievements. He was touted as having the promise to maybe, one day, be a force to be reckoned with in Formula One. I REMEMBER... “Paul struck me as having incredible talent the moment he got into a car. Three years spent with the team formed the basis of what would have definitely been a promising career in top- tier racing. Unfortunately is was cut short far too soon. It’s devastating on every single level. He was not only part of the team, he was part of our family.” Tedd Murray, Team Principal, Aquarius Racing

I REMEMBER... At that moment, the world stopped turning. “Paul was a racer, a family man and a beautiful Julie and the boys weren’t there that weekend. human being. As aggressive inside the car as he was Upon receiving the news, they were taken over a pussy cat outside of it. He always included the to Belgium to be with Paul. Sadly, not long after kids in everything he did. He taught me lots. arriving, the bad news was imparted. Despite best He will he much missed.” efforts, he was unable to be brought around and he Andy Scott, Racing Driver, Aquarius Racing passed away with Julie at his side. It brought home the fact to all the family and friends that Paul revered that, as the saying goes, “motor sport is dangerous”. Robert has since taken an active role in an association to ensure that motor sport safety is actively educated to all up and coming racers from the bottom ranks. A foundation has been set up in Paul’s name to help young drivers with talent get a foothold on the ladder. Michael and Andrew have since followed their chosen career paths. Andrew has a degree in structural engineering and has decided that motor sport will be something he might re-visit in later life. Michael achieved his Architecture degree and is in the process of setting up his own consultancy business, with help from Julie and Liz. Life will never be the same, but Paul’s legacy lives on - the numerous trophies and medals he accrued during his illustrious career, have a place on the walls of the home in which he lived with his wonderful, loving and supportive family. Unfortunately, it was whilst Paul was taking I REMEMBER... yet another giant step towards making it “big” and following his childhood dream, that a “He had a loyal following. He was making a freak accident ended it all before it had hardly name for himself as people enjoyed watching even begun. his hard but clean racing style. He had enjoyed an exciting rise through the ranks and his Having previously guest-driven in a Porsche future looked ever brighter. Devastating.” event, he was given an out-of-season seat with Tony Winters, Merchandiser, Aquarius Racing the “Ten-Ten” racing team, in a 911 GT2. During a race at the Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, “His accident hit us all really hard. The shock a competitor’s car experienced technical failure felt around the paddock is immeasurable. He causing it to spear off the track, heavily crashing into was a real character.” the barriers. As the car rebounded across the track, Paul’s car was collected at what was estimated to be Bill Williams, Race Steward a closing speed of over 150 miles per hour.

PAUL JOHN SMITH 21ST FEBRUARY 1975 - 1ST JUNE 2020 The Paul Smith Foundation was set up in 2008 to help under-funded, promising young stars of the future achieve their goals to rise through the ranks of competitive motor sports. All the while, maintaining a high standard of knowledge and practice of the precautionary and safety measures required to keep the sport as safe as it can be for all participants and spectators. Donations to the foundation can be made at www.thepaulsmithmotorsportsfoundation.com