Flat-Out Friday Hooligan Racing

Walking into the Milwaukee Panther Arena, the obvious question is: "How do they expect to race motorcycles in this place?" They're not trucking in dirt or putting down some false flooring, no, this requires much more 'redneck ingenuity'. They spray down the bare concrete flooring with Dr. Pepper Syrup. They tried Coke, apparently Dr. Pepper works better. After spraying the syrup, they'll lay down some brown sugar, then burn around the track a few times in quads, I can only assume to heat it up, melt it down, and work a little bit of rubber into it. Well it works like a damn charm. The track ends up sticky enough for racers to drag peg and get some serious riding done on what would previously be a slippery death trap of a course.

Riders took to the track in nine classes:

Open Amateur
Participants are 12 years and older, must be 14 to ride a 450cc. No brakeless bikes. Bikes must be full framed with 150 minimum cc's.

Four Stroke Brakeless
Riders must be at least 18 years of age at the event. Engines must be model year 1981 or earlier. No brakes or suspension is allowed.

Youth 85
The bikes are 65cc-85cc only. Participants are 7-15 years old.

Open Vintage
Engine size is unlimited. Riders must be at least 18 years of age at the event. Engines must be model year 1981 or earlier. Rear brakes are mandatory.

Pro
Participants must have GNC1 or GNC 2 AMA pro card to enter.

Goof Ball/Inappropriate Class
Inappropriate motorcycles/inappropriate racers. Street bikes with headlights taped and covered. Costumes encouraged.

Hooligan Class
Modern (1986+) stock framed twins. No dirt bikes. Riders must be 18 years or older.

Build Class
Reserved for bikes and participants involved in the Build Program; visit www.buildmoto.com.

100 Class
Riders are 18 years old and up. Bikes are four stroke only and do not exceed 100cc's.

These aren't quite the Hooligan races that we got used to seeing out in Costa Mesa and the Del Mar tracks over a year ago, however. The same racers have been doing this on heavy bikes, every weekend, for years now and hell, they've gotten good at it. The speeds have picked up, there are fewer crashes, and just generally cleaner racing. That doesn't always mean it's more fun to watch, but hey, it's definitely safer for the riders.

The races that were surprisingly the most fun to watch were the youth riders. They were quicker off the line, squirrely but fast as hell, and every single one of them was SENDING IT! They were riding as hard and fast as they could. Crashing, but getting back on the bike and riding again within five seconds. There was even one 14-year-old racer allowed to race in the adult classes, and he lapped second place.

Racing machines that were never intended to be ridden like this, on what should never be a motorcycle track. Riders ranging from professional racers to men and women that have never raced anything in their lives. It's good old-fashioned fun with serious competition, but the main goal of having a good time on two wheels. Hooligan races are gaining popularity and more organizations are starting to open a "Run What Ya Brung" class. If your local races don't have one, suggest it! Get out there and race whatever you can, it'll be fun, I promise!

Be sure to check out FlatOutFriday.com for more information!