For heads-up doorslammer racing and for nitrous in general he was THE MOST informed on almost any site that he graced. If Monte advised me that I could do something better than I was doing it I always did it his way.

Absolutely correct. He busted myths and some didn't like rethinking their dogma but anyone truly looking to get better should have listened intently.

Spot on. I deeply respected his opinion (I can't say that about many people these days...)

Thank you Monte, for all the advice you gave me, and all the knowledge I gained from you. I will miss you.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the subject line. I had to read it twice. Sitting here, just shocked, he left us way too soon. I've hung out with Monte a few times, and he took a couple rides with me in my Duster. The nicest, most humble, most honest guy I've ever met. Rest in peace, Monte.

HOT ROD pays tribute to Monte Smith. http://www.hotrod.com/articles/nitrous-innovator-monte-smith-passed-away/

I'm very shocked and saddened to hear this tragic news about Monte Smith. I did not know him personally, but I always enjoyed reading his forum posts with helpful advice and experience. Recently I posted a question about driveshafts, and I was very happy to see a response to my post with a recommendation to a driveshaft company I had never heard of, but he highly respected and used regularly. May God bless Monte and and watch over his family. Thank you Monte.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...tml#Post2200973

I've waited awhile to respond, and it hasn't helped make it any easier. I must say I feel bad for those who only knew him from the internet, and never had the chance to have a real conversation with him. Face to face he was kind, sincere, warm, genuine, and funny in ways that didn't always translate on this website.
Through our many debates on here, he always challenged me to become a better writer, and a better person. He never allowed it to get personal, and would scold me if I got too chippy or biting with my comments. While our views and opinions may have differed, I appreciated and respected his ability to defend and explain his outlook, while allowing me to do the same.
I cherished our interactions on Drag Week for the last six years, and we had a wonderful visit this past year while they were loading up the injured Vette. Our bench racing sessions were similar to two old friends meeting at a favorite corner store in that the topics would jump around on many different subjects, sometimes racing, sometimes just life.

Many people have speculated as to why he quit racing and driving, and put most of his efforts toward tuning. I can say unequivocally that his passion, the very thing that drove him was helping others go faster and achieve more. In this quest he didn't just talk the talk, he walked the walk. The list of people in the racing world that he affected in a positive way is vast and varied, that alone could be used to measure what a special person he was, but that doesn't even begin to define him.

Godspeed, my friend.

RIP

What a stunner. I'll miss him as his posts were right on point. My heart goes out to his family since my dad died around that age and I know it can rock a family to its' core.

Sad to hear.He had opinions but man he knew his stuff.Always tried to help out.Too many good people go early.Hope his family is holding up.RIP Monte

NFW! that is terrible news... sorry to hear that.

I met him at Drag Week this past year, and he was a pleasure to talk to. Like many of you have mentioned, he likely has no idea how many people he has positively influenced in the racing world!!!

See you on the other side, Monte.

This has impacted myself and many people more than I thought especially myself and my outlook on things since his passing. I busted his balls and he mine but with respect and I can never in my remaining lifetime learn what he took w/him.........So sad but we still have a chance to leave our footprints behind in a positive way............

I never had the privilege of meeting the man, but always enjoyed reading his posts here. His insight was greatly appreciated, and respected.

RIP Monte

Somebody posted this link on Yellowbullet. I had missed it here.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...tml#Post2133253

I found it interesting and learned a lot about Monte's early days. One thing that surprised me is that he had already had quadruple bypass surgery.

God Bless

What a shock. It seems like every time I'm not on the board much, I find out someone has passed on. I had always hoped to meet Monte at SGMP the next chance I had to go. Always enjoyed reading his posts as he definitely knew his stuff and that he always kept a cool head.
RIP, Monte.


Tim

That was me, I thought those guys might like to see a different side of Monte

Never met hin in person or talked to him but I read so many posts and threads from him,
it felt like I knew him. sad to rad this! Ruhe in Frieden. Ein letzter Gruß aus Deutschland.

Monte Smith and Jeff Koblyski before him were both great contributors to this website, they had a straight talking honesty about them that will be sorely missed.
RIP