The Lima Classic Grand National is today as the Allen Country Fairgrounds in Lima, Ohio. Lima is such a unique race since the riders race on a crushed limestone, or pea-gravel surface. The first few laps are always a spectacle as the brave riders pitch their bikes into the turn and try to dial up some throttle to get the back end to steer them around before they wash out their front end. Chris Carr told me a few years back that Lima was a race for young riders who were able to shut off their brain and just twist the throttle.

Last year the main was a thriller between Bryan Smith and Jared Mess. The always aggressive Mees tried to knock smooth riding Smith off his line in turn three on the last lap, but Smith absorbed the impact then watched Mees run wide, squared off the turn and took back the lead. He held it by a bike length at the checkered flag.

Can Smith give Kawasaki its first win in a Grand National Twins race? Will Mees finally break through and win his first race in three years? Will Joe Kopp keep his momentum going in the championship race, or will Henry Wiles, winner of last week’s race in Gas City, Indiana, get on a winning streak.

On thing is for sure Lima is not for the faint of heart. If you’re anywhere near the area you should make the rider over today to watch one of the new classics of the Grand Nationals.

Chris Carr (4) and Jared Mees (21) get the jump on the field at Lima in 2009. (Larry Lawrence photo)