by Chesnie Wardell / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Wisconsin Watch January 15, 2026
Youth motorsport riders of the Sliders Flat Track Racing Program have spent numerous hours in current months studying easy methods to experience grime and electrical bikes and construct bikes whereas gaining private growth.
The Milwaukee youths are getting ready for Flat Out Friday, a world motorbike race that may happen at Fiserv Forum on Feb. 21. The race options over 300 riders of all ability ranges.
The Sliders Flat Track Racing Program provides underrepresented youths in Milwaukee free entry to electrical and grime bikes, and ultimately bikes, whereas introducing them to science, know-how, engineering and math, or STEM, parts.
“Motorsports is not something that people of color typically participate in and sometimes we’re the only people of color there when we race,” mentioned Venisha Simpson, founding father of the Sliders Flat Track Racing Program. Parents, volunteers and new Sliders pose for {a photograph} on Dec. 6, 2025. (Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
“Motorsports is not something that people of color typically participate in and sometimes we’re the only people of color there when we race,” mentioned Venisha Simpson, founding father of the Sliders Flat Track Racing Program.
Lately, Simpson and co-founder Tiger Mabato have been teaching the riders contained in the Boys & Girls Club and on a mud highway in Sheboygan County for Flat Out Friday.
“I love this sport because it’s intergenerational and you’ll find people between 4 to 84 racing on the same track,” Simpson mentioned. “The respect level is low between the young and old in the Black community, so with this event and program we’re absorbing from each other.”
Tiger Mabato and Venisha Simpson run via security tips with new college students throughout a Sliders orientation final 12 months. (Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
A younger engineer on the observe
One of the riders in this system is Tiger Mabato’s 11-year-old son Noah.
His curiosity in motorbikes began when he was 6 and he complained concerning the situation of a junkyard grime bike his dad gifted him.
By 7, his dad gave him the chance to take the grime bike aside and rebuild it on his personal.
“Engineering and building things is fun to me, but I have to learn to do this on my own without any help,” Noah mentioned.
After rebuilding the grime bike, he crashed right into a tree, leaving him hesitant concerning the sport and even becoming a member of this system.
Noah regained curiosity after seeing one other child from this system race on a mud bike.
“I crash often when practicing and racing, but now I know what to do,” Noah mentioned.
Currently, Noah is constructing a Suzuki RM 85cc grime bike for his third Flat Out Friday competitors.
“This will become my official bike because my last bike was causing me to lose pretty badly,” he mentioned.
He positioned ninth final 12 months within the open youth class after falling and crashing his bike, however this 12 months desires to come back again stronger.
“It took me a while to get back up last year, but I’m more excited about trying it again,” he mentioned.
According to Tiger Mabato and Simpson, Noah Mabato and Donald Amartey are the one Black youth racers who experience classic Harley-Davidson bikes in Milwaukee.
“Noah and Donald are making history right now,” Tiger Mabato mentioned.
Noah Mabato, age 11, waits to experience his electrical bike throughout apply. (Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
Adjusting shortly
Justice Osei, 9, is a second-year rider within the Sliders Flat Track Racing Program.
He began with out realizing easy methods to experience an everyday bike however caught on shortly.
“They taught him that day in just a couple hours how to ride one,” his mother, Malaika Osei, mentioned.
Justice wasn’t drawn into conventional sports activities or video gaming, however with motorsports discovered a connection to the folks and expertise he realized.
“When I’m racing and sometimes make a mistake, I try to lock in and stay focused after it,” he mentioned.
Tiger Mabato is amazed to see youngsters like Justice latch onto the game.
“These kids go through so many ups, downs and tears, it’s crazy how quickly they adapted to everything,” Mabato mentioned. “This is a different level of excitement.”
Justice Osei, 9, helps one other rider regulate a helmet throughout apply. (Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
Prioritizing security
Before getting on a bike, each rider and guardian is made conscious of how harmful the game may be.
“The hardest thing is seeing your kid crash and tumble at times, but we prepare them for that, and our biggest thing is safety,” Mabato mentioned.
To guarantee security, this system gives college students with motorbikes, helmets, gloves, padding and vests. Parents are accountable for buying denims, long-sleeve shirts and racing boots.
“It’s dangerous, but it’s fun,” Justice mentioned.
Justice broke three toes throughout a apply from not carrying the correct racing boots.
His mother noticed him take a tumble that day on the grime highway.
“I took off running once I saw him crying and grabbing his foot,” Malaika Osei mentioned.
Justice didn’t even understand at first that his toes had been damaged.
“I didn’t even know until a week later,” he mentioned.
After buying a brand new pair of shoes, Justice was able to experience once more.
Building different expertise
Jeremey Prach, co-founder of Flat Out Friday, explains to a brand new rider the totally different items of the bike. (Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local)
Motorsports is extra than simply racing and upkeep.
Flat Out Friday co-founder Jeremy Prach desires riders to know the game is about creating expertise that preserve you bettering.
“I think the thing that hurts the most is your pride when you fall because many think they’re going to do awesome in a race,” Prach mentioned. “But without a skill base, it’ll be hard to do awesome.”
At the Sliders Flat Track Racing Program, Simpson and Tiger Mabato train the riders confidence, self-regulation, fast drawback fixing and self-respect.
“These kids are tough and it takes a different type of mentality to race with these bikes,” Mabato mentioned.
Simpson and Mabato additionally train the youth riders easy methods to community and preserve relationships with folks like Cameron Smith, one of many few skilled Black racers within the nation.
Cameron Smith, one of many few skilled Black racers within the nation, indicators Donald Amartey’s bike on the 2025 Flat Out Friday. (Courtesy of Jennifer Ellis)
It takes a neighborhood
To guarantee this system has every little thing it wants, locations like Cream City Moto, STACYC, Southeast Sales, Proplate and different native organizations pitch in to donate gear, design graphics, cowl charges for occasions and extra.
The program additionally obtained grants from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Comoto Cares.
“The race community is very supportive and I love that,” Simpson mentioned.
Tiger Mabato encourages dad and mom to get their youngsters concerned in issues that spark their curiosity even when it’s scary and desires them to know that the race a part of this system is elective.
“There’s no better feeling than seeing your kid go around the track,” he mentioned.
To watch, assist and cheer the youth riders on at Flat Out Friday, tickets begin at $28.
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