A TT, it stands for Tourist Trophy in case you were wondering, is different from the ovals dirt track riders usually compete on. A TT track will have different radius left turns, a right turn, and a jump. TTs are somewhat rare in amateur dirt track. This is the only one in Minnesota, and because of that, it typically brings out a few more riders. As well as being a District 23 round, it was also a round of the Vintage Dirt Track Rider Association (VDTRA). Many of the VDTRA riders traveled a considerable distance to get to this race.

After getting the bike set up, I took a trip through the pits and definitely saw some interesting bikes. Although converted motocross bikes are gaining popularity, an older bike, properly set up, can still be competitive. Being an ignorant motocross guy, I had a hard time distinguishing between the vintage bikes and some of the ones riding in the regular classes. One thing was for sure, there’s a much wider variety of machinery than at a non-vintage motocross race. The owners were more than happy to tell me all about their bikes. I found the people at the race to be a really friendly group and very patient with my naive questions.

Bultacos like this have been raced in Dirt
Track for the last 30 years. They also double as a gear rack.

This one has it beat by a few decades.

Practice cranked up sometime before noon. The first turn that I came out of, I grabbed a big handful of throttle and went full lock sideways. Luckily the slowed down rear shock prevented a high side. It seemed to be breaking loose everywhere and I was wondering how the tire was better than a knobby. I would have to wait for that answer. I went out for several practice sessions. Riding this track was definitely less tiring than riding motocross.

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