Smith brothers, another Smith race for thrills

For three Bonners Ferry boys, giving up is not an option, even if it means broken bones.

For Shawn Smith, that meant getting back on his dirt bike a week after breaking his collar bone for a second time and bruising a lung.

“Every time I crash I learn something new,” the 16-year-old motorcross racer said.

Broken bones are the norm for dirt bike riders.

Aaron Smith, 13, who is Shawn’s brother, has broken his leg. C.J. Smith, 13, no relation to the Smith brothers, has broken his leg and collarbone twice and his wrist.

“I just love to do it,” said C.J. “You can’t really worry about crashing. It is just the risk of racing.”

“If you worry about getting hurt, you aren’t going to be good at riding,” Aaron added.

The three boys race in the Supercross Series at Airway Heights in Spokane, Wash., almost every weekend.

“It is mostly exciting,” said Cory Smith, who is Shawn and Aaron’s dad. “Some days you can tell they aren’t totally riding to their potential and that makes me nervous. The payoff is that they stay busy and it gives them a purpose. It is something to look forward to and keeps them occupied.”

“They are either working to raise money to race, racing, or practicing to race,” he continued. “It keeps them out of trouble and that is mostly why we do it.”

Aaron started racing when he was 6, and started competing almost a year ago. After watching his brother race, Shawn started racing in September 2007.

“I asked them what they wanted to do, and this is what they wanted to do,” said Cory Smith. “From there, they wanted to race so we went that direction.”

At the beginning of the supercross series, Aaron was racing in the top 14 of 21 for his division. Competing on a 2008 Kawaski KX-85, he has progressed to the top five. Aaron is sponsored by 661, a motorcross gear brand and Speciality, a dirt bike store.

“It is so much fun,” said Aaron. “I like the competition and want to go local pro with it.”

“I like to ride because there is only a select few that can do it,” said Shawn, who rides a 2007 Kawaski 250-F. “It gives us something to do in a small town.”

For C.J., who has been riding since he was 5 years old, it is about winning.

“I’m competitive and I like to win,” said C.J., who rides a 2008 Kawski KX 250F. “I usually finish in the top three.”

“It used to make me nervous, but I’m used to it,” said Terri Smith, C.J.’s mother. “It’s part of racing and it’s something he enjoys. The whole family enjoys. It keeps him active, out of trouble and busy.”