On his Facebook page, Paul Smith describes himself as a Freestyle Motorcross Pro Rider. But in actuality the Las Vegas native is a daredevil on a bike. 

Smith has been performing death defying stunts on his dirt bike since 1993. But this weekend, he is looking to top them all in one single swoop. 

Smith plans to light himself on fire and perform an 80-foot backflip on a dirt bike in front of a live audience in Woodward, Oklahoma Saturday. It’s all part of the annual Monster Truck show at Crystal Beach Stadium.

Smith said he hopes to see a full stadium when he performs alongside 10-year motorcycle veteran Derek Cook. 

While the acrobatic motor bike professional has attempted this same back flip jump at about 75 feet before, he’s never done it covered in flames from head to toe. But even though it’s his first attempt, Smith says he is only slightly anxious.

“You’re always nervous, cause things can go wrong, but I’ve prepared,” Smith said. “I’ve practiced, not on fire, but I’ve practiced the jump a bunch of times. Hopefully everything goes right. I’ve done everything on my end to make sure it does. Now we’ve just gotta give it a try and hope for the best.” 

While this is Smith’s first attempt at this specific stunt, it’s definitely not his first performance. Smith has jumped in 30 countries in the past 14 years, and every state in the U.S. mainland.

He did flips in Nitro Circus in Indiana, and at the Houston Astrodome, as well as in Orlando, Florida with a packed stadium of 82,000 roaring fans. 

“I could barely even hear my bike,” Smith said. “The crowd was so loud I had a hard time judging how fast I was going because I couldn’t really hear.”

Jim Morris, the event promoter, says the crowd will love the  spontaneity of this show, and the risks the driver’s are taking.

“That’s what daredevils do, and I think that’s what captivates us as an audience. We all hope it works out right but we know it might not, ” Morris said. “It’s kind of a loose cannon, and that’s what we’re going for.”

Smith writes for The Woodward (Okla.) News