Zeb Smith, almost 17 years old, has been racing motocross ever since the age of 4. Never did he think that the lifestyle he chose to live at such a young age would turn into a career. With family support and his unconditional drive to succeed in this industry, we've seen Zeb crash, get hurt, yet, always come back to racing. It was a crash this past November at Mini O's that nearly cost him his life. We talk about the the future ahead of him and how he hopes to see this sport grow in the in the years to come. This is MIA with...Zeb Smith.

Tell us what exactly happened at Mini O's.
Well, lets see...Monday went well,  I won my first qualifier and Tuesday was going good, it was everyone's first moto, I think I finished 8th and I went into my second moto on Tuesday feeling good. I had a good start and was just riding my own race. Well, there was that one triple section that no one was really doing, ya know, everyone knew the conditions of the SX track...they were sketchy...but I decided to do it and I was tripling in and then doubling and tripling out and I eventually worked my way up into 3rd. That's when I came around to that section again and I slid going up the face. When I slide I cased the triple, came down, seat bounced the double and it sent me into an endo. I was told it looked pretty bad, and that my bike hit me, but I don't remember anything. I got knocked out for a good three minutes.

When you crashed, did you know you were hurt really bad, or was it one of those things were you had a feeling but you weren't sure?
This injury was so different from any other injury I've had. I was knocked out and to be honest I don't even remember the beginning of that day, waking up, getting ready, nothing. I don't remember laying on the track or even talking to the EMT guys. I just know that reality set it when I was getting put into the ambulance and on the way to the hospital. From what little conversations I could over hear I knew it wasn't good, I knew I was in a neck brace. At that point I just tried to stay calm and let the medics do their job. Looking back, I see it as a benefit to have been knocked out. I didn't go through any initial pain and I wasn't overwhelmed about the situation.

You arrive at the hospital and they know more or less your neck is broken...Knowing Mays had just gone through this last year, what were your thoughts, and what were the doctors telling you?
First we got there and it was MRI, after Cat Scans, after X Rays...It took a while to really figure out what was wrong. The doctor said I messed up my C5, C6 and C7 and right then my mom knew what I had done. The cool thing about her is that she's a doctor herself, so it's really cool. The surgeon was really nice and respectful of the sport, he didn't put us down, nothing like that, he understood where we were coming from and that myself, along with everyone else who races, loves this sport and it's our life.

Your C5, C6 and C7 were then fused together?
Yes, it was a 4 to 5 hour surgery, they put two little rods and five screws in there and he did a very good job and, ya know, things could have been a lot worse but thankfully they weren't and I was able to get fixed.

Are you in physical therapy right now?
As of right now, no. They had me on a weight lifting restriction. I couldn't lift over 5 pounds for a month, then no driving for a month and, you know, basically chill out and be lazy. That's about it. We went two weeks ago and had my neck checked out again and it's healing really well, its sore a little but they're surprised at how fast I'm recovering.

How long are you out for? Also, if I remember correctly, your Mom was telling me how she did the same thing when she was younger and that you would more likely than not have a complete 100% recovery - what's the break down?
Yep, that's right. My mom broke her neck when she was younger than me, on a trampoline and had her C5, C6 and C7 also fused together. For sure there is always the good and bad but she doesn't seem to have a huge problem with it, she has full range of motion and it's not a constant bother to her every day life so, from what she's told me and from what I've already realized in my own healing process, I should be okay at the end of all of this. The doctors back home said the way the surgeon fixed it in Florida was the right way but you know, they also said if I were to ever do the same thing again, unfortunately, I would most likely be paralyzed.

Leatt Brace...You were wearing yours when you crashed.
Yes, I was wearing it. This is the second big get off with my neck this year actually. The first time wasn't so bad but this time I brought my helmet and brace in for the doctor to look at in Florida and dude, I think just like the doctor said, if I hadn't been wearing it we wouldn't be having this conversation. It hits so close to home ya know, as racers we go out there and we cant expect to do the things we do and wreck like we do and always bounce back and be fine, but we do, ya know. It's that "it wont ever happen to me" mentality, bottom line, we all need to do whatever we can to stay safe...without a doubt the Leatt saved my life. In the near future I would like to see the AMA and NMA make it a rule that everyone has to wear them...I'd like to see our sport take the next step in trying to make us, as riders, more safe. I think it's a good idea, some people may not but they're stupid not to.

Heading into Mini O's your contract with Team Green had just run up - You went into the week knowing you had to perform. What's it like dealing with that pressure?

I went in on my own, my contract ended in October and I went to Mini O's and I know how the industry works. I was lucky to get back on the team this year, but due to injuries and things that happened to me this year it wasn't looking like a definite deal for '09. It's not Kawi's fault, they have to do what they have to do. They have been good to me while I was with them. I can't thank them enough for everything. I feel like this time that I got hurt and it wasn't all my fault, yes I'm the rider on the bike but the track needed some help, I wasn't riding over my head, regardless for once, I felt like I was really making progress and like I had everything mentally and physically where it needed to be - just a tough break. If I do come back, I won't have a ride, just like a lot of other kids out there.

Zeb you've been hurt quite a bit, you always get back up and you're one of the most determined guys on the track but you've been through a lot, is there a time where you say enough is enough?

Ya know it's not an easy decision. We are going to go about seeing a couple more doctors, head out to California see the doctor out there, and get everyone's second and third opinions. I'm not going to make a decision right now but at the same time you know my decision, I want to come back and race but then again, what do you do more, do you walk more or do you ride more...you walk more. It's a big decision to make and I have 6-8 months to wait it out and I won't know for sure until I'm healed up. In the mean time, I just want to be a kid and graduate from High School, I'm looking forward to that and just take everything day by day.

On a lighter note, you're headed out for A1...

Yeah, I'm sitting in my room right now - packing my bags. I'm really stoked to head out there and see everything kick off first hand. It just came up a couple days ago and we made plans. I wanted to go, I've been a couple years in a row. I'll be out there with Shannon Niday and I thank them a lot for taking me.

Who's taking the win this weekend?
Well haha, I don't know...I'm pulling for Villopoto and I'm not sure if Trey is riding West, no one is saying anything, but we're pretty sure he is...so I'd have to say Villopoto and Trey. I've always looked up to Trey, he's a great kid, and he's working hard for sure. I'd like to see him win it.

Well, have fun and have a Happy New Year!

Ha ha, I will try,  and you too. Lastly, I'd like to thank everyone at Team Green, Todd Hicks, Dunlop, Pro Taper, Monster, Shannon Niday, Von Zipper, Pro Circut, Maxima, thanks to my mechanic, Leatt, my mom and my family oh and some girl that visited me in the hospital - the whole Vurb Crew (laughs) and Chris Brennan, my trainer, we were working super hard, I was in the best shape of my life. To everyone I forgot, thanks again.