Memorabilia: Don Smith’s Incredible Racing Collection
February 19th, 2007 | Category: Memorabilia | 6 Comments | 
Now this you gotta see! Don Smith of Terre Haute opened the doors of his extensive private racing collection to the public last fall to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (where was I when that happened??). Another race fan had the recent opportunity to view part of the collection and has posted photos on the forums of JalopyJournal.com.
Here’s the direct link to the forum thread with the photos:
Photos of Don Smith collection at JalopyJournal.com
And a sample photo (there are many more):
Don Smith is the chairman of the board of Terre Haute-based First Financial Corp., a major sponsor of local short-track racing in Indiana. He is also a former promoter of the Terre Haute Action Track and founded the Sumar Racing team with Chapman S. Root which raced from 1953-1960.
This is truly an unbelievable collection, and the dream of all of us who squirrel away all kinds of racing-related “stuff” in our drawers, closets, attics, basements, etc.
The good news is that apparently a museum is being planned by Smith’s grandsons, to be located on Ohio Street in Terre Haute, and could possibly open this year. More information about the collection is available in this article from the Terre Haute Tribune Star:
Racing enthusiast opens private collection to raise money for Breast Cancer Foundation
If anyone has any information about the planned museum, please post a comment here or contact us.
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Comments
There are 6 comments for “Memorabilia: Don Smith’s Incredible Racing Collection”. You may add a comment or trackback from your own site.
#1 - Jerry (November 11th, 2008 at 7:17 pm)
I have a I beleive 1956 or 57 Sumar Catalog when they were at 7th steet in very good condition.
Jerry,
#2 - Bill Krueger (February 23rd, 2009 at 12:49 pm)
Cant’t wait for opening day as we raced against Rich Vogler at Terre Haute.Good Luck
#3 - Ed Graf (December 26th, 2009 at 3:44 pm)
I am burdened with lung cancer and had to sell my race car . I sold it to Mr. Smith in 2007 . It is a Grant King Dirt Champ Car in the exact condition as after its last race at the Indianapolis fair grounds in 1989 . I am pleased that this beautiful car resides in such a fine collection and with such a fine GENTELMAN .
#4 - DICK FRY (September 26th, 2011 at 1:20 pm)
WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS WONDERFUL COLLECTION O CARS AND MEMROBILLIA—-IS IT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ? FINEST REGARDS DICK
#5 - Paul Woods (September 27th, 2011 at 11:47 am)
Dick- I’ve heard that the collection is only open to the public once a year, but unfortunately I have no other information and a quick Google search didn’t turn any up either. Apparently there is also a place called the 500 Museum of Wheels in Terre Haute that may have some of Don Smith’s cars, but I don’t know much about that either.
#6 - John P Huss (May 7th, 2012 at 8:24 pm)
I will be at the “Hulman Classic” 5-24. Would like
to go thru mueseum 5-24 or 5-25. Will it be open
to the public? With all the race fans in town let’s hope it will be open?
Best Regards,
John
