Member of the Week: Erik Moldenhauer
Written By: Jackie Riess
Erik Moldenhauer has had a lifelong passion for motorcycling, and joined the District 23 ARMCA flat trackers in 2016. He competes in the Open Twin, Vintage Pre-1982, and Super Singles Classes in flat track, and enjoys racing the occasional off-road race. In addition to riding and racing, he passionately pursues motorcycling by building, designing, and restoring motorcycles. He also enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, fishing, woodworking, and cooking.
Erik began riding in his early teens, after seeing his friends riding dirt bikes. He wanted to ride so badly, and decided to rebuild a 1978 Suzuki DS100 to join the motorcycling community. After high school, he attended the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) in 2009, and later worked as a motorcycle mechanic for a dealership, followed by a stint in the parts department. Though he left the motorcycling industry career wise, he continued to pursue motorcycling. He was introduced to the racing scene when his friend, Kyle Dahl, was competing in CRA Road Racing. The hefty price tag attached to road racing prevented him from competing in this discipline, but he soon found flat track racing. After watching the Hooligan class at Flat Out Friday, Erik knew this was attainable for him, so he went searching for local competition. He found District 23 ARMCA, and attended his first race at the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club on a cheap Craigslist find.
Erik has been racing ever since! In 2018, he attended Flat Out Friday to compete in the Vintage class. Though he didn’t make the main event in 2018, he came back in 2019 to win the class! He sees this as one of the highlights of his racing career, in addition to winning back to back championships in the District 23 ARMCA flat track Vintage class in 2019 and 2020. His love for vintage bikes made these accomplishments oh so sweet. Inspired by other passionate racers, he is also proud to introduce new riders to the sport and works to grow the flat track community. Erik also looks up to the Flat Track promoters because of their love for the sport and their desire to spark this in local racers.
In 2021, Erik strives to race his newly built Royal Enfield INT650 in the 2021 Grand National Hooligan Championship Series. He is excited to travel to new tracks where there will be new friends to be made. He plans to continue racing in District 23 ARMCA flat track, and someday hopes to try land speed racing. Erik hopes to inspire other District 23 ARMCA members to get involved and support the people who are working diligently to grow flat track racing.