Showing posts with label Moses Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moses Smith. Show all posts

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Family Sunday

It is not often that Oma and Opa get to enjoy the entire family together.  We cherish our family time greatly.  This Sunday was very special.  We started our time together with breakfast at out family favorite, Home Sweet Home. They were so nice to fix up a special table for us to spread out in.

Auntie gets to feed Coast Oak.

Not sure what Reef Indy was explaining,
but Dad and Uncle Mo are very interested. 

Then after relaxing together at the homestead, we all drove south to downtown San Diego to meet Grandma and Grandpa at the Tilted Kilt for lunch.


We loved the food and drink at the Tilted Kilt.
Our waitress was super nice and efficient also.

Smile Auntie Sitara and Uncle Moses

Then we were off to the ball game at Petco Park. The Padres and Dodgers remain tied in the 17th inning after over 5 hours of playing. Unfortunately, the Dodgers then broke away with a four run inning and the Padres did not answer back with any runs. What a fun and interesting game.

Beautiful Petco Park - Downtown San Diego, California.

Reefie has his glove ready to catch that foul ball.

Home-plate umpire, David Rackley finally gets up after
being struck in the groin by a foul ball in the fifth inning!

Opa grabbing some time with Coast.

Sitara and Moses enjoying the action;
Not quite sure what Grandpa is doing.

Reef listens intently as Grandma explains the game of Baseball

The adults received a Reusable Padre Shirt Bag,
but more importantly, the kids got a plastic bat and ball

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Moses Returns to His Desert Roots

The 48th BudLight Score BAJA 1000 - November 20-21, 2015


Now a days, Moses Smith happily goes to work every day as the manufacturer of the popular open-wheel racecar known as the Formula Mazda. As the owner of Texas Autosports, a full-service Formula Mazda Racecar prep shop, Moses continues to “live the dream.”

Moses talks to his parents
after a Baja Race in the 1980s
What most fans do not realize is that Moses’ dream was born in the early 1980s. He was on a 'pit crew' by the time he was just three years old. He and his father, Paul would work long hours at the race shop of Off-Road Racer Malcolm Vinje*. There he learned all about desert racing by working on the Baja 1000 Class 5 and then Class 7S race machines.

Moses’ family outings in the Southern California deserts further his interest. The thrill of his own three-wheeler and his father’s dune buggy fueled Moses’ love for going fast.

Unbelievably, before the age of ten, Moses had progress in his race crew duties to include driving the chase vehicles from checkpoint to checkpoint solo. The youngster’s feet could barely touch the Baja Bug’s pedals, but that did not discourage him as he focused on pushing that clutch in far enough to shift smoothly.

“Off road racing was my first love, that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up.” Moses recalled. “I have had been very fortunate to have driven a lot of different racecars over the years, but Off Road racing and Baja has always eluded me. It has been on my list for as long as I can remember. I am pumped to finally get my chance in the dirt!”

Moses Smith began his racing career in the extremely competitive Southern California Karting Region. Moses clearly set himself apart from his competition both on and off the track. Winning the California State Championship and the SDKA Junior Sportsman Championship proved his on track abilities, while also holding the prestigious title of the youngest member of the famed San Diego Karting Association Board of Directors.

Star Mazda Podium -- Luis Schiavo (left), Moses Smith (middle),
and Michael McDowell (right) -- at Road Atlanta 2003
With karting accomplishments in hand, Moses worked to further his motorsports goals. Moses moved into full size race cars the hard way. As a mechanic for the Skip Barber Racing School and other prominent professional race teams, the young driver was able to learn the intricacies of the sport while biding his time to get behind the wheel.

The opportunity was not far off. In 2000, Moses got his career break competing in a limited schedule of Formula Mazda (FM) events. Moses parleyed that limited schedule into become one of the top Formula Mazda drivers on the pro circuit.

In 2002, Moses missed winning the North American Star Mazda Pro Series, by just one point. However, he won the Star Mazda West Coast Championship. In 2003, Moses tested in the Toyota Atlantic car and entered an Infiniti Pro Series event.

Never one to stay stagnant, Moses became a Star Mazda team owner in 2004. He opened his own online store in January of 2006.

In September 2009, Moses acquired all support and manufacturing rights for the approximately 300 Formula Mazda rotary-powered race cars currently in use across North America, as well as the MSR sports racer, a full-bodied version of the FM.

From 2007 to 2011, Moses competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. He finished third in the championship points standing his last season. Further, he was voted the series Most Popular Driver in four consecutive years!


Moses Smith sits in his #16 Hasa Pool Products K&N Pro Series West car.

Moses’ long history in the sport of racing has not dampened his excitement and eagerness.

“Over my career as a driver I’ve had some pretty amazing teammates, but we were there on business. This race I am paired with a couple of very special team mates. The Entwistle, father and son team, have been racing Formula Mazda with me over the past year.” Moses stated enthusiastically. “We were learning, and chasing a championship, although we had fun, there was still a serious undertone. This race we get to have FUN, and experience something that only an elite few have done before. Don’t get me wrong…we ARE going to win our class…haha or have a blast trying to anyway”

You can follow Moses and the team as their #1409 Sportsman 1400 competes in the 48th Baja 1000 by following it via live streaming at http://score-international.com/baja-1000. The challenging course will start and finish in Ensenada.


Moses Smith’s Career Highlights

2015 48th BudLight Score BAJA 1000
2013 Rolex 24 At Daytona in the SRT Viper
2013 Grand-Am Sports Car Series, Class GT Debut
2011 Third Place Finish K&N Pro Series West Championship
2008-2011K&N Pro Series West Most Popular Driver Awards
2007-2011 K&N Pro Series West Series Driver
2009 Formula Mazda Manufacturer
2007 Grand-Am KONI Challenge Debut
2006 Official Standard Formula Mazda Dealer
2004 Star Mazda Team Owner
2003 Infiniti Pro Series Debut
2003 Toyota Atlantic Debut
2002 Star Mazda Pro Championship Runner-Up
2002 Star Mazda Rising Star Award
2002 Star Mazda West Coast Champion
2001 Star Mazda West Coast "Rookie of the Year"
1992 IKF California State Champion
1991 SCCA Class Champion
1989 Former SDKA Board of Directors Member
1980 Pit Crew / Shop Worker for Malcolm Vinje



*1982 CLASS 5 Champion - Malcolm Vinje/Mark Hansen; 1996 CLASS 7S Champion - Malcolm Vinje/Mark Hansen; 1999 CLASS 7S Champion - Malcolm Vinje.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Uncle Moses and Team Wet But Happy At The 2015 June Sprints


Uncle Moses and Team Wet But Happy At The 2015 June Sprints


Uncle Moses and Team Wet But Happy At The 2015 June Sprints
Located in Wisconsin's scenic Kettle Moraine, Elkhart Lake's Road America, Inc. is one of the world's fastest permanent road racing tracks. However, what to do when the weather hostilely visits the track with wet intentions????

For Joseph Burton-Harris, driving for Moses Smith’s Texas Autosports; you go out on slicks in your #132 GMG Mobility/Sydney Sports Formula Mazda and absolutely pummeled the field . Harris finished second overall and 1:47.669 ahead of second place in class!

David Hobbs With Driver Joseph Burton-Harris
“If you all drive as well as Joseph – that kid over there (pointing to Joseph standing at the back of a room packed with over 500 people) then you will have a good day tomorrow.”  David Hobbs - NBC commentator of Formula One remarked at the end of his key-note speech at the 60th Anniversary of the June Sprints dinner Saturday night. 




Official Race Results

  1. Joseph Burton Harris
  2. Alan McCallum
  3. Jarret Voorhies
  4. Paul Ravaris
  5. Larry Howard
  6. Rodger Fussell
  7. William Snyder
  8. John Entwistle

Uncle Moses and Team Wet But Happy At The 2015 June Sprints

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Happy Birthday Uncle Moses

Since Uncle Moses lives in Texas, we were not able to spend his birthday with him.  Nevertheless, he was in hearts and minds!

Reef Indy say "Happy Birthday Uncle Moses!!!!"
Reef Indy say "Happy Birthday Uncle Moses!!!!"
(with Grandpa & Dad)

Happy Birthday from the Gang
Happy Birthday from the Gang

Reef Indy with Grandma.
Reef Indy with Grandma

Yup, I am a cool baby!
Yup, I am a cool baby!


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Love K1 Speed


Founded in 2003 in Carlsbad, California, K1 Speed now boost of being the premier karting company in America. Indoor karting has grown into a large industry over the last several years, not only within California, but across the nation. K1 Speed was one of the first companies to bring electric karts and indoor go kart tracks to Southern California, and they have witnessed an explosion in the market.

“The premise behind the creation of K1 Speed was to offer enthusiasts and amateurs alike an authentic and genuine racing experience in a safe, comfortable, accessible and perhaps most importantly, unique environment. Utilizing advanced European electric karts and indoor asphalt tracks, K1 Speed quickly developed a reputation as being fun and exciting, and our growth has been continuous since we first opened our doors. (from their website)”

Since Reef Indy’s cousin, Sofia surpassed the 48” height requirement, Uncle Moses decided it was time for her first trip to K-1 Speed. Sofia had driven a go-kart before; however, this would be the first time she took to the track with fellow racers!

As you can witness from the photos below Ms. Sofia loved her first visit to K1 Speed!


Just like real racing – K1 Speed’s first stop is registration.
Just like real racing – K1 Speed’s first stop is registration.

Six-Year-Old Sofia is proud to show off her K1 Speed’s Driver’s License.
Six-Year-Old Sofia is proud to show off her K1 Speed’s Driver’s License.

Opa and Sofia go over both the K1 Speed race flags and track rules.
Opa and Sofia go over both the K1 Speed race flags and track rules.

Opa and Sofia watch Uncle Moses in his first K1 Speed race of the day.
Opa and Sofia watch Uncle Moses in his first K1 Speed race of the day.

Sofia gears-up in preparation of her first K1 Speed race of the day.
Sofia gears-up in preparation of her first K1 Speed race of the day.

Sofia’s K1 Speed Kart gets foot extender.
Sofia’s K1 Speed Kart gets foot extender.

Uncle Moses and Sofia discuss her race stats as Opa observes.
Uncle Moses and Sofia discuss her race stats as Opa observes.

Sofia’s first spin out did not detour her racing enthusiasm.
Sofia’s first spin out did not detour her racing enthusiasm.

Sofia’s K1 Speed race experience helped her become more race ready.
Sofia’s K1 Speed race experience helped her become more race ready.

The end of a perfect K1 Speed experience!
The end of a perfect K1 Speed experience!
Sofia expressed an interest in K1 Speed's Junior league.   The Junior League is designed for children who are 4′ to 4’9″ in height. The five-month series is affordable, safe and accessible, and is intended to serve as an introduction to racing.


As a blogger, integrity is one of the most valuable commodities NASCAR Race Mom possesses. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising).

This review was done without compensation.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Baby Pastrana

Travis Pastrana and his wife, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins Pastrana, became the proud parents of a baby girl on September 2, 2013. The news broke on social media after Pastrana posted a photo of his new family with hashtags “#199andAhalf” and “#babyPastrana.”

The family hasn’t released the name of their new daughter yet, but they plan to spend the remaining months of 2013 spending time with family before heading out for a Nitro Circus Live Tour, which starts January 2014. 

Reef’s Dad follows the Pastranas because Travis and Lyn-z are well-known skateboarders. Reef’s Uncle Moses raced against Travis Pastrana in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West a few years back. Oma got to meet him at a few races; Travis Pastrana was a gentlemen.

It will be interesting for Oma to watch Baby Reef and Baby Pastrana as they grow.  Maybe these two will meet at an X-Game sometime in the future.

#199andAhalf #babyPastrana

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Such A Dilemma

Sonoma – 08/25/2012 — with Paul Smith, ZMom Smith,
Jake Koens, Sitara Wilson, Moses Smith and Devin Maxon.

Oma is getting ready for an exciting trip to the Sonoma Raceway to spend time with your Uncle Moses and Auntie Sitara. Uncle Moses is your Daddy’s big brother. Oma can’t wait to see Moses. However, at your mom’s doctor’s appointment, the doctor says that baby Reef could be born very soon. Oma really does not want to miss your arrival; such a dilemma.

Oma is not an expert; so google was consulted. It appears that cervical dilation is not a good indication of when exactly a mommy will have her baby.

A mommy can be 36, 37, or 38 weeks pregnant, 2 centimeters dilated and not have her baby for several weeks. On the other hand, the mommy can be 2 centimeters dilated and be in very early labor or pre-labor having a couple contractions an hour and maybe have a baby within the next couple days. The mommy can also be 2 centimeters dilated and be having very long, hard contractions that are close together. In this last scenario, that mommy will have her baby very soon. You can actually be in late labor or in transition, but your cervix hasn’t caught up yet and is showing early labor.

In other word – Baby Reef’s arrival remains a mystery. Research tells Oma that it’s not uncommon for a mommy to be up to 2 centimeters dilated several weeks before giving birth!



Oma is going to enjoy her trip to the Formula Car Challenge West presented by Goodyear Race 11 & Race 12 at Infineon Raceway. Uncle Moses’ Series (Formula Mazda) is a Special Support Race for the Indy Gran Prix of Sonoma!

Be an understanding baby and wait for your Oma and Opa to return home!