Going F5000 Racing

I got a Brabham in 1967 and it was supplied by the Russell Racing Organisation, which was like a driving school. They bought a bunch of Brabhams, with one for me that cost like half as much, and I ran their name on the side, as long as it was spelled with an “s” and not a “z.” I got the car about halfway through the ’67 season, and I finished 2nd in two or three pro races, at Tahoe, Continental Divide, Oklahoma/War Bonnett.

At the end of that season I drove at Riverside, in a support race for the Can-Am. I was driving into the track—Les Richter gave me a pass to get in—and I said, “You know, I like the sound of those big motors.” I’d never driven more than 98 cubic inches (1600-cc), so I went in and the first guy I saw was the instructor from the school, and I said, “I’ve been thinking about selling that Brabham, do you know anybody who wants to buy it? Maybe one of your new students.” And he says, “Yeah, one of the Smothers brothers.” So I said, “How do I get in touch with him?” “He’s here.” They were just going to start their Comedy Hour, so we went into the pits and I ended up selling Dick my car. He came over two weeks later and took delivery.