ABOUT US

The Red Baron is a 1985 Moto Morini 3 1/2 that has been competing in land speed racing since 2013. The Red Baron is supercharged which makes it a mighty Morini, currently the fastest gasoline-powered 350-cc pushrod motorcycle in the world at 126.009 mph. Since 2022, the Red Baron has been competing as a sidecar with a current top speed record of 114.942 mph.

The Red Baron is based out of Costa Mesa, CA with support from students and alum of UC Irvine School of Engineering. We are members of the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) Gear Grinders land speed racing club, and our home races are at El Mirage Dry Lake in the high desert of Southern California. The Red Baron also holds two records at Bonneville as a 2-wheeler & 3-wheeler.

  • Founder & Owner: Robert “Smitty” Smith
  • Rider & Co-Owner: Amy Dunford
  • Crew Chief: Vaz Frnzyan
  • Team Members: Students & alumni of UC Irvine Engineering
  • Many thanks to: Phil Chipman, John Garman, John Mitchell (RIP)
  • A close-up of Amy talking to Smitty in his white helmet.
    Rider Smitty, Crew Chief Amy at the start line
  • Rider Smitty on test stand at El Mirage
  • Rider Smitty, Crew Chief Amy at Mojave Mile (Edwards AFB)
  • Vaz kneeling in front of The Red Baron, unstreamlined, at El Mirage
    Crew Chief Vaz
  • Rider Smitty, Crew Chief Amy at Bonneville Speed Week
  • Crew Chief Amy at El Mirage
  • John Mitchell warming up a low motorcycle in technical inspection at El Mirage
    Team member John Mitchell at El Mirage
  • Rider Smitty, Crew John, Amy, Vaz at El Mirage starting line
  • Vaz, John, and Amy sitting at a table in Denny's restaurant after a race at El Mirage
    Crew at Denny’s in Adelanto
  • Rider Amy fitting with Smitty
  • Peace sign from Smitty with Amy sitting in the Pathfinder at Bonneville
    Rider Smitty and Crew Chief Amy, waiting in line at Bonneville
  • Phil talking with Smitty at El Mirage on a practice day
    Rider Smitty with team member Phil Chipman
  • Rider Amy and Crew Chief Smitty during testing day at El Mirage

CURRENT RECORDS

Event LocationRiderDateClassSpeed
Mojave, CA SmittyAug. 2015APS-PBG115.8 mph
Denver, COSmittySept. 2016MPS-PBG115.3 mph
Bonneville, UT SmittyAug. 2019MPS-PBF105.596 mph
El Mirage, CAAmyOct. 2021MPS-PBG126.009 mph
El Mirage, CA AmyNov. 2021M-PBG108.645 mph
Bonneville, UTAmyAug. 2023SC-PBG93.224 mph
El Mirage, CAAmyNov 2023SC-PBG112.176 mph
El Mirage, CAAmyNov. 2024SC-PBF114.942 mph
  • Mojave Mile (Aug. 2015) 115.8 mph
  • Colorado Mile (Sept. 2016) 115.3 mph
  • El Mirage (May 2018) 108.476 mph
  • Bonneville Speed Week (Aug. 2019) 105.596 mph
  • El Mirage (Oct. 2021) 126.009 mph
Race Reports
Technical Specs
YouTube: Onboard Videos

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