The favourite sounds in Craig Smith's life - the revving of car engines, and music of Eric Clapton - were heard by hundreds of mourners who gathered for his funeral at the Hawke's Bay Car Club yesterday.
Mr Smith - known to friends as Max, or Fatty - died suddenly in his sleep on December 29, soon after returning from a holiday to the United States and Canada. He was 49.
It was standing room only at his funeral yesterday, held in the place so dear to him - the Hawke's Bay Car Club, of which he was a life member, current club captain, and chairman.
Hundreds of friends, family, and fellow car enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the Hastings resident who was the "much loved" brother and brother-in-law of Donna and Andrew Elder, and loved son of the late Russell and Elaine Smith.
Friends shared stories of the man with "a big heart".He received a unique send-off - after his casket was placed in a Chevrolet hearse, Mr Smith took a final lap around the club's track, with the vehicle drifting and throwing up dirt.