well, i dont' hide it but i do ride other than mtn bike and it simply b/c versatility is essential with kids/jobs/stink eyed significant others so i do road. After watching a few friday nights i always wondered what it was like to going around the concrete oval. so i jumped in the water w/o looking. i bought an entry level track bike and went for it.
it's pretty simple yet complex. You ride as fast as you can, don't look back(which i did) and worry about the results afterwards. It truly is 5 minutes violent efforts,but it will make the hairs on your neck stand up. i will never compare it to mtn biking b/c there just so different.
i did 4 races which varied from 9 lap (point a laps) to an unknown distance. I did well enough to make it to the "b" feature and lead most of it(bad move) and emptied the tank in the last half lap. passed me like i was standing still.
i think i had a 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, and an 8th. not bad for a linebacker.
it's simple, but the complex part is when to launch an attack b/c everyone has a tactic. i'm just like a sponge, asking what i did wrong so i don't do it again and i'm proud to say i haven't done anything wrong twice but i find a way to do something wrong each time:P 
anyway, is it a plug to try the track???? of course. it's open to the public. grab a helmet and give it a try. it's a great option when the trails are wet. Air Products even offer a development program.
hey maybe if i have my way someday mtn bikers will be riding next door to the velodrome.
see you on the dirt, concrete or asphalt
joey