Charlie Smith

Charlie Smith was a successful motorcycle racer who played a significant role behind the scenes of the early 500 period, building his own CFS car at his Battersea workshop. He failed to finish the Grand Prix race in October 1948, though ran as high as fourth, and failed again at Dunholme Lodge a week later. In May '49 for the Grand Prix at Silverstone, Charlie finished eleventh and the fastest non-Cooper and in July he took a sixth in the All-Comers heat but failed to finish the Non-Production race. Charlie also prepared engines and fabricating various parts for others and the second car went to fellow South Londoner Don Parker and became the Parker Special,

Tragically, Charlie was killed in a a practice accident at Blandford in late 1949.