D23 ARMCA Member of the Week of June 7th

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

D23 ARMCA Member of the Week of May 24th

Member of the Week: Milo Juliar

Written By: Jackie Riess

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Milo Juliar is a young District 23 ARMCA member that began racing motocross in 2020 on his 1999 PW50. His parents soon knew this wouldn’t be enough bike for him, and they surprised him with a new KTM SX Mini last July. He now competes in the Oil Injected and Multi-Speed classes in motocross, and also enjoys hare scrambles and enduro racing. 

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Milo loves to see his moto friends on race weekends, and enjoys riding bicycles and playing football with them! At home, he likes to go swimming and wakeboarding with his neighbors in the summer, and in winter, he enjoys wrestling practice and ice fishing with his dad. Milo’s perfect day would be waking up at Spring Creek MX Park, riding his bicycle (and of course building jumps), racing his dirt bike, and going for a swim in the creek after his race. His perfect day might even include his favorite race day treats: cinnamon rolls, bananas, and homemade venison jerky.

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The greatest accomplishment of Milo’s maturing career was just this spring when he won his first race! He came off the track quickly asking, “I think I just got first place?!” He couldn’t believe it and was shocked by the big trophy he received at the end of the night.

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Milo enjoys practicing at Cedar Lake Arena in the winter, and in 2021 he strives to go back there and clear more of the jumps. He is inspired by lots of Minnesota racers, including his father and Ryan Dungey. He continues to ride and race in District 23 ARMCA because of the quality time he gets to spend with friends and family, and how much fun he has learning new tracks. Milo has learned valuable life lessons through racing, and advises other racers to “try [their] best to get back up and finish the race” if they have a crash. And of course, “have fun!”

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D23 Events Week of May 10th

FLYING DUTCHMEN M/C ENTRY FORM AVAILABLE HERE

FLYING DUTCHMEN M/C ENTRY FORM AVAILABLE HERE

Follow us on Social Media and share your MN AMA District ARMCA adventures by tagging us @d23armca and using our hashtags #d23arrmca #proudtobed23

D23 ARMCA Member of the Week (May 10th)

Member of the Week: Brandon Vannelli

Written By: Jackie Riess

Brandon Vannelli grew up racing motocross in District 23 ARMCA, however, he recently began racing hare scrambles in 2020. After graduating college, he began working as an Applications and Installation Engineer in Ziegler CAT’s Industrial Diesel Engine division. In addition to riding and racing, he enjoys working on cars and trucks, spending time with friends, attending live music, and the occasional hiking trip.

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Brandon’s first dirt bike was a CRF70, and his first riding experience was much like many others’: a handful of throttle and an object to hit. After overcoming his first ride, he became a District 23 ARMCA member the following year, and moved up to a 65cc bike the year after that. One of the most memorable moments of Brandon’s racing career was a first turn crash on his CR125. As he fell, his arm was caught in another rider’s rear wheel. As the other rider continued on the gas, Brandon was filled with fear. But aside from torn gear and some road rash, he walked away unscathed. Showing determination and bravery to battle the track again, he lined up for his second moto. And though he doesn’t remember his results, he is proud of himself for lining up to race that night.

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Early in his teens, he realized the financial obstacles that come along with racing. He began working at age 15 to purchase his first truck in order to get to the races. Soon after, a diesel mechanic friend sparked his interest in diesel engines, and prompted him to sell his first truck in exchange for a diesel pickup. This is also what sparked his interest in diesel engines and what propelled him through college to his current career. He attributes his passion for this industry to his early roots in motorcycling, as well as the work ethic he developed along the way.

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The unique, welcoming community of District 23 ARMCA is what keeps Brandon, and many others, coming back to race and ride in Minnesota. Though he took a brief hiatus from racing, he has always enjoyed the tracks and trails here. His goals for 2021 are to finish in the top 3 of the 201-250C hare scrambles class, and to become more involved with District 23 ARMCA. He strives to volunteer as much as possible at events, knowing he can make a difference for others at the races! He encourages people to get involved with District 23 ARMCA, and advises riders to introduce themselves to new people knowing this is what makes the community so close. He welcomes others to stop by and say “hi”, adding, “[you] never know who you may meet. [I have met] some of my best friends (…) through dirt bike riding.”

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