[Jeff Higgins]

There are three forms of traditional dirt track competition for the "big" bikes, and traditionally two classes. There is the half mile oval, the mile oval, and the TT. The half mile and mile are simply ovals, left turn only, with no front brakes on the bikes. The TT introduces a right hand turn and a jump, and allows a front brake. The traditional classes are twins and singles, with the twins going 750 cc's and the singles 500.

Modern times see "Super" Twins and "Production" Twins (which will be combined into one class next year). "Super" is the top class, with full-on race bikes, and "Production" is, well, production bikes. Both have "parity" inducing restrictions, like intake restrictors. Modern Singles are essentially 450cc Super Moto bikes with the front brake removed (for mile and half mile) on dirt track tires.

Some teams still run the old Harley XR750, the most long-lived, dominant racing machine of any kind in any pro series ever, two or four wheeled. And they do win, sometimes. But Indian has kind of taken over, and Yamaha are very competitive as well. But, again, "parity" is paramount, so who really is the "fastest"? Jared Meese, the dominant rider lately and five time winner, came in second to a Yamaha mounted rider. First thing he did when interviewed was blame the difference in intake restrictors.

That said, you will never see more exciting racing. At least shoulder to shoulder, wheel to wheel. As some of you may recall, we also went to the IOM TT three years ago. Exciting, but in an entirely different way. Sheer aggression at the mile, sheer speed at the TT. I would (and will) go back to either in a heartbeat.

And, well, the reason for that is that I went to both with my son. We also went to the local AMA road races this year at The Ridge Motorsports Park here in Washington. Great racing, just like the TT and The Mile. The best part of all three, though, was time with my son.

So, yeah - go to a Mile if you can. Bring your kid.