Sideways Shakes Report

Flat Out Friday’s indoor flat track racing is unconventional. It’s raucous and rowdy. Its oozing, adrenaline-soaked, high octane, bar banging, tire screeching, racing, all packed firmly inside an arena-sized bull ring. Everything that is motorcycle racing is embodied by this high-powered and exciting show. From the goofball class of trikes, sidecars, and lawnmowers, all the way up to the AA pro class of sweet race, fuel-burning rockets, the action never seems to slow down once you find your seat. We are fortunate enough to have this granddaddy of all indoor flat track races to be held in our back yard, and on March 13th hundreds of motorcycles and their respective teams will descend upon Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee to take part in the annual indoor flat track event that is Flat Out Friday.

Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Jeremy Prach, one of Flat Out Friday’s founding fathers, and bent his ear about all things Flat Out Friday.

So, Jeremy, how did Flat Out Friday come to be?

Well, my son Loyal has been racing flat track since he was 5, and I had always helped out at the tracks he raced at. I thought I had enough skills to do my own race and I tried to get a dirt track race at State Fair Park for the HD 110th Anniversary. I put together a budget, got a team together, and got some sponsors, but it was too expensive to get the horse dirt out of the coliseum. I could not afford to do it. Later that year, Scott Johnson (owner/operator of Fuel Café) asked me to help him with the Mama Tried Bike Show. At the time, I didn’t care about it. I wasn’t interested in another motorcycle rally. However, I was shocked at the youth that came to the bike show. It was inspiring. So, I asked Scott and Warren if I could do an Indoor syrup race for the next year. The event worked and was an unexpected success. Scott, Warren and I are now partnering in FOF.

What differentiates Flat Out Friday from other indoor flat track events?

Flat Out Friday started with the responsibility to fill an arena. Truth be told, traditional flat track racing is not a spectator-friendly sport. Traditionally it is a 10-hour show with track maintenance and t-shirt tosses to break up the time. I needed to market this event to the non-flat track fan. I try to keep our show as exciting as a WWF or NBA event. I want a rock concert, a circus, and a race – in that order. I want the racers to enjoy being at our event, and I try to get the racers to appreciate the culture they are a part of. Racing is so much better when the experience is shared and mutually enjoyed with your competitor.

How long have you been interested in flat track racing?

I live next to Fuel Cafe’ in Riverwest (Milwaukee) which opened in 1992. At that time, I was racing stock cars and I had seen the bikes rolling in and out of the restaurant. I was intrigued. In 2003 the HD 100th had AMA pro flat track races at Hales Corners Speedway, the track I raced cars at. I went and have been hooked ever since. I was hooked on how nice the people were. I mean people in stock car racing are nice enough and I had a lot of help, that’s for sure, but the motorcycle racers are gentlemen. My son started racing back in 2008. We first tried Motocross and found it to be very similar to the stock car culture in that there was not much community. Conversely, upon our first flat track race, we were welcomed with open arms and my boy was hooked. We have been racing every event we can, ever since.

What makes the Hooligan class so special to you?

The Hooligan movement is so special because it is created by so many different kinds of people. I am so appreciative of the youthful energy in the sport and I also get excited when the old-timers come back to the sport because of the new energy. For some time, flat-track was stagnating. People started racing as kids and grew up to be racing adults. There was not an easy way into the sport if you didn’t start young. Now, there is a welcoming culture with an eclectic mix of humans. Old and young, pros and novices are working together to figure out the nuances of racing 500 lbs. of motorcycle around a bull ring. In addition, I like that the sport is capped and tries to keep it stock. Racing modifications are limited, keeping the sport affordable.

What is the biggest challenge to put on the show?

There are so many challenges. It is such a balance. One decision effects so many other things. Setting ticket prices, arranging load-in times, using photographer approved pictures for social media, all take time to plan. Not any one thing, of the literally thousands of things that need attention, are harder than the next. However, the most difficult thing about the whole experience was getting people to believe in it. Racers were difficult to convince, sponsors were cautious, and ticket buyers have much to choose from. It is a challenge to gain a positive reputation and to gamble it with each event you do.

What is your favorite part of the event?

There are so many moving parts to make 300 motorcycles line up on time, race and get broadcast live. I love seeing it all come together. We hire good people, and to see them making decisions with fervor and believing in the event, is powerful for me. I try to stay out of their way. More specifically, I really appreciate all the high-fives, handshakes and hugs from the riders and workers when the event works.

What does the whole Mama Tried/FOF weekend mean to you?

That is a great question. At times we feel so bogged down in work, it is hard to appreciate what it all means. It is difficult to articulate the real, deep meaning. I can only feel it. For lack of a better word, it’s the energy. You can feel it in Milwaukee from Tuesday to Sunday. It’s like one long New Year’s Eve celebration of art. hard work, community and lastly motorcycles. I am still very much inspired by the youth. I enjoy seeing how they interpret things. I enjoy meeting new people. I appreciate the old friends that continue to share my values. All these people coming together to create a community, that influences all those involved and those watching from afar, make the weekend a motorcycle culture agitator. I really hope people come out and spend time with us. It is like nothing else. There is much heart and soul in this, I know it comes through.

Jeremy Prach

Well, there you have it; straight from the headset wearing, checkered flag waving man himself, and if you have the chance to make it down to Milwaukee Friday March 13th come check the action. I’ll be there competing in the Hooligan class and would love to see my fellow Abate members in the stands! For more information regarding this event please visit www.Sidewaysshakes.com.