Iowans who love motorcycles are promised plenty of fast-paced, high-flying races in the dirt beginning tonight. It’s called Arenacross. Dozens of dirt bikers will be rattling over the washboard-like "whoops" section, screaming down the straight-a-way to hit the catapult, jumping 40 feet in the air, as they try to reach the flag.

Among the Iowa racers, 18-year-old Colin Hickman of Des Moines says he’s been a motorcycle racer most of his young life: "I’ve been racing ever since I was four, started riding at the age of three and stuck with it ever since. Hickman says Iowans who like auto racing, for example, but have never been to a motorcycle race will find Arenacross exhilarating.

"It’s good, it’s real tight, a lot of big jumps, a lot of bars banging, a lot of people wrecking it. Something a little different than the normal average race. You see Supercross on TV, they get a little more spread out but this is real small, real tight," according to Hickman. The machines and the riders are put through incredible challenges on this type of course. Hickman was asked if he’s had many injuries being an Arenacrosser.

He says: "Nothing really too big. I broke my tibia and fibia a couple years ago actually racing Arenacross, but other than that, just a concussion here and there and a broken hand and foot. That’s about it."

The Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines has been transformed for the event, as about 150 loads of dirt, or about 833 tons, were trucked in to form the double-C-shaped track and the many obstacles. Arenacross is underway through Sunday. Each day will include a freestyle jump competition. Professional racing will be held today and Saturday, with amateur racing on Sunday.