Flat Out Friday 2018 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin 02.23.2018

Once a year in the dead of winter, thousands of motorcycle loving enthusiasts migrate to the Midwest to a beautiful city known as Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a party like no other, simply called Mama Tried. The team at Mama Tried work extremely hard to bring a weekend filled with entertainment, racing, parties, and of course brilliant motorcycles from all over the world. Three years ago Jeremy Prach (founder of Flat Out Friday) reached out to Scott Johnson and Warren Heir Jr. (founders of Mama Tried) about doing an indoor flat track motorcycle race in conjunction with the show. Being a no brainer, Scott and Warren said "Hell yeah!" and Flat Out Friday was born. Since its debut in the winter of 2016 Flat Out Friday has made a real name for itself in the racing and in the motorcycle community as one of the premier races to attend and also participate in.

The Pits


Getting ready in the Pits


Practice laps before the heats. With multiple heats before the show opens they slim down the classes in preparation for the semi-finals


Starting line judge making sure everyone is ready.


Though the floor is covered in Dr. Pepper syrup, riders still find ways to slip out of corners.

The excitement of Flat Out Friday brings high action packed racing filled with chaos, thrills, and spills which gives everyone a real buzz that stays with them throughout the weekend. With multiple classes, semi finals heats and final heats as a part of the show, those in attendance get three hours of amazing motorcycle racing. There is a bit of something for everyone which makes it feel overall more entertaining then just one dead set class of racing. From Pro, to semi pro style flat track racing, to Hooligan, women only, inappropriate class, mini bikes, vintage, and even a little kids class (which stole the show this year) Flat out Friday has got it all.

Mark Atkins aka Rusty Butcher gettin' it on the prelims.


Everyone in their heat checks in before the line and a line judge puts them in to positions before the green light.


The cat lady warming up before the prelim for the inappropriate class.


Co-Founder of Mama Tried Scott Johnson getting in on the action, racing in the vintage class.


The National Anthem is sung while Police Motorcycles do slow laps.

After the National Anthem is sung and the clock hits 7pm. The first class begin the Semi-final heats and take to the Dr. Pepper covered concrete floor in front of 10,000 plus people in attendance. The smell of race gas pollutes the air and the sounds from the motorcycle exhausts take over any other senses you have left. The announcer starts yelling over the arena speakers, getting the crowd amped and ready. As the line judge makes his final look at the front wheels all lined up perfectly to the starting line, he walks toward the starter, who has his foot on a pedal and a thumb on a red switch. He hits the pedal and it sets a white light small and to the left of the racers vision, this means get set... the racers start revving up their engines as the exhausts get louder and louder. The starter hits the small red button which triggers the green light next to the white light and their off. As the racers enter turn one everyones looking for the hole shot but in those brief three seconds is where most of the chaos happens and tons of spills. Once the pack frees from turn one, it becomes a neck and neck race for 10 laps. Cheers from the crowd make you jerk your neck fast in hopes of seeing something you missed. Motorcycles flying around curves sideways and at the end of the very first semi-final race theres a photo finish... What a way to kick it off a races and a weekend!

10,000 people awaiting to cheer for their favorite racer.


The infamous Flat Out Friday Starter - Kevin Clarke


The racer on the second starting line, is there because he jumped on the start and has to start in back of the pack.


Flying


Thor Drake in the pack on his 2018 Harley-Davidson fully equipped with our Flying Monkey Orange grips and Tsunami Fender


Thrills and spills at Flat Out Friday don't stop anyone, they hurry and get back in it! Pure dedication.

Ask yourself, when is the last time you have ever seen a gang of Evel Knievel motorcycle trick gurus and a pack of Mad Max Warriors LARPing in front of you? Most likely never, well at Flat Out Friday chaos broke loose for about 10 mins of battling nonsense and excitement. Lets just say this isn't your super sports ball game half time show featuring your favorite artists like JT or Mis Gaagaaaa but more of a ridiculous battle between good and Evel... There was a point in time where I wasn't sure where to point the camera because there was just so much stuff going on at one time. From wheelies, to battle axes and bats being lunged at characters, to tons of burn outs all over the arena. It was pure anarchy and I couldn't believe everyone walked away ok.. all except the Evel zombie, he got dragged out of the arena.

Knee dragging Evel Knievel.


Circle burning with skulls & axes!


The battle between the leaders. Zombie Evel and the leader of the War Boys!


Evel looking classy as all hell.


Zombie Evel probably laid there for a good five minutes. The announcers asked if he could be a good jump on the track.

One of the coolest part about Flat Out Friday is there is a open call out for registration a few months before the race where anyone willing, can sign up! From Pro's to the average Joe's everyone has a place at Flat Out Friday and it makes the racing that more special. If you missed out on Milwaukee and are still looking to get into or watch the action there are some more opportunities for you coming in the very near future.The next Flat Out Friday this season it will be happening in La Crosse, Wisconsin at the La Crosse Center on April 20th, 2018 registrations are still open. Flat Out Friday will also be taking place at Fuel Cleveland! Flat Out Friday Cleveland will be taking place at the Wolstein Center on July 27, 2018. Classes and rules have been posted and the open registrations will begin soon for Cleveland.

Words and Photos by: Mikey Revolt

What a setting to be in, The BMO Harris Bradley Center.


Mark showing off a little for the crowd!