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| Features |
| Moses Smith Shares His Experience |
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-by Moses Smith
North American Star Mazda Pro Series Driver
 | | His 'need for speed' developed early on |
“So how did you get started in racing?” This is the question I am asked on a regular basis. Whether, I am at the track, teaching at the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, or just meeting people for the first time; this age old question is bound to be asked. Although it always comes up, I never get tired of answering it. Every time I get to answer this question, I am able to relive my experiences of growing up around the world of motorsports. I usually start my answer to this question, with a question, “Do you want the long version, or the really long version?”
My desire to race and be around cars began long before I could remember…literally. My father grew up working on and racing drag cars, both on the street and at the drag strip. My mother has pictures of me “working on race cars before the age of two. I am sure I was doing nothing more than drooling on the tools my Dad was about to use and getting grease stained.
I asked Mom, why she let me stay out in the garage all the time with my father at such a young age. Mom just chuckled and replied, “If I took you away from the cars you would start getting antsy and eventually throw a tantrum. Leaving you in the garage was easier.” She then added, “You would just sit in the engine compartment and entertain yourself for hours.”
When I was six-years old, my dad started to work with an off-road racing team in our hometown. It was only a matter of time before I was able to talk my way into going to the shop with him on a daily basis. My duties with the team started out very small, but meant a lot to me. I always thought that the team was giving me the important jobs, even if it meant sweeping the shop or being hunched over the solvent tank, washing parts for countless hours. I always took a lot of pride in the jobs I was doing regardless how inferior they may have been.
After two years of working around the shop, I wanted to drive. At the age of eight I asked my dad, “When can I race?”
 | | Smith in his Kali kart |
“When you get old enough…” he answered thinking I would not be old enough until I turned sixteen. Well, that answer would just not do. I was determined to start racing sooner. At this time neither my father nor I knew that there was this whole world of racing waiting for me – KARTING.
I asked everybody I came in contact with the same question, “How can I race?” Eventually someone mentioned that I could race karts at a young age. Now this is the answer I was looking for! I did everything I could to gather information on karting. Once I presented my parents with all the information, they offered me a deal. If I could raise half the money on my own, they would invest the other half to buy me a kart. One year later, after I had experienced a number of odd jobs including a paper route, walking dogs, and cutting over half the lawns in my neiborhood every week, my parents and I went shopping.
Once we had possession, we needed a place to race. Soon we found a local club that had over 100 members and racers, The San Diego Karting Association (SDKA). At the age of 12 I had entered my first race at Amago Raceway in Northern San Diego County. This would become my home track and weekend retreat of testing, practicing, and racing.
While still competing in the junior classes, I became the youngest member of the Board of Directors. I remember the parents going to the board meeting and making all the decisions for the juniors, without our opinion. That did not seem right to me. I learned a lot about representing a group, voicing our opinions, and the chain of command.
From club racing, I progressed to the IKF circuit. This offered me variety in tracks and a wider range of competitors. As I look back at my career in karting, I realize how diverse it was in training me to become a professional racecar driver. Throughout my time in karting, but more so in the beginning, I learned to drive, compete, be consistent, and most of all win. I contribute my driving style and success to my roots in karting. Starting to compete at such a young age really taught me to be determined, dedicated, and disciplined. I wanted to win so much, and sacrificed whatever I needed to accomplish this goal. Although I became very successful on the track, I also quickly learned that I needed to do more than just win in order to make it in such a competitive world.
Most importantly, karting was a great training ground for business. From the beginning, my parents told me that if I wanted something I was going to have to work for it - not them. Although my parents supported me to no end when it came to transportation and helping to wrench the kart at the track, it was up to me to prep before races, find the sponsorship and promote myself. At an early age, I had to learn very quickly how to communicate and network with people much older than myself. I also cultivated a great sense of responsibility, whether it was getting the equipment ready in time for the next race, meeting new contacts, or holding up sponsorship obligations. It was a great way to learn how to manage time, and also my strengths and weaknesses.
 | | Smith running his Star Mazda |
I am currently competing in the Star Mazda North American Championship. This is one of the premier ladder series and prepares drivers for the next step up in racing. It is a spec series which means that all the cars are built of equal speed capability. This brings out the best drivers in the series as opposed to superior equipment. The series has been committed to developing and promoting new drivers to the next level of competition.
I am returning for my second full season of racing with the Star Mazda series. Last year was a very close championship that was decided on the last lap of the last race. I won the last race of the season, but missed winning the championship by only one point. I have returned this year with a new team, and excited that I have returned with the support from Team Tomlin, HASA Pool Products, and former karting sponsors Justice Brothers and RLV.
So how did I get started in racing? Well it all started way back when I was fortunate enough to stumble across karting, a growing phenomenon. If it were not for the experiences, good and bad, I would not be who I am today. I am aware that there are many hurdles to come, but I can approach them in confidence, knowing that where I came from has prepared me well for the exciting journey.
If you have a question regarding competitive karting or making the transition into race cars, visit my website at http://www.mosessmith.com or email me at mosessmithracing@aol.com
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