1 of 5 | Keanu Reeves celebrates ARCH Motorcycle’s foray into racing in “Hooligans: The Arch Racing Project with Keanu Reeves & Gard Hollinger,” on Samsung Television Network Sunday. Photo courtesy of Samsung TV Plus & V10 Entertainment
ARCH Motorcycle founders Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger said they learned to appreciate victories smaller than winning races through Hooligans: The ARCH Racing Project, premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT on Samsung Television Network.
The show chronicles ARCH entering a motorcycle, driven by Corey Alexander, in the MotoAmerica racing circuit. In a recent Zoom interview with UPI, Reeves said there’s more to winning than just crossing the finish line at the Super Hooligan National Championship.
“We found a lot of successes in places that maybe aren’t traditionally thought of,” Reeves said. “It’s not just holding up a trophy and popping champagne.”
At the beginning of the show, ARCH has to build a motorcycle that can finish a qualifying race. Even placing would constitute a victory, which Hollinger said helps motivate mechanics, pit crew and technical support to continue.
“Hopefully what we convey is there’s so much passion behind this sport,” Hollinger said. “The boost to morale and the validation for the belief that this project that they’re involved in because they believe in it can be successful is huge.”
Compounding the pressure is the fact that ARCH only has one motorcycle to enter. Hollinger joked that ARCH didn’t even have a farm to bet on their bike.
“It was more like betting the petting zoo,” Hollinger said.
The show chronicles setbacks and comebacks over six episodes. Reeves, an actor since the ’80s and director of one film, saw the universality of the racing season.
“People can look behind the curtain of racing and our experience and our journey,” Reeves said. “I think there might be a lot of things relatable to life that in racing.”
Some of those moments produce tensions between mechanics and pit crews. Hollinger understood the pressure they were under.
“It’s a lot of pressure, a lot of passion that can boil over,” Hollinger said. “In the end, I think the whole team understands that we’re all aiming for the same goal, the same target. So it always works out but you have those tense times where things boil over.”
The team, as well as Reeves and Hollinger, learn many lessons along the way. Reeves would not give up the mistakes that led to those lessons.
“Obviously, we wouldn’t change a thing because it is what it is and how it is has brought so many gifts,” Reeves said. “This team has been forged through fire and you really see that forging process in Season 1.”
Hollinger retired from racing to build motorcycles and met Reeves through a custom request. They founded ARCH together in 2011.
Reeves raced in the 2024 GR Cup auto race, but his motorcycle riding has always been a hobby. Now, he enjoys cheering Alexander on.
“There was a time in my 30s when I wanted to maybe do some club racing out on a Norton Commando which is a vintage British motorcycle,” Reeves said. “Now I’m a cheerleader.”
He has ridden with other celebrities like Channing Tatum. Reeves has not ridden with Ewan McGregor, though he admires the Scottish actor’s Long Way riding shows.
“I met Ewan,” Reeves said. “His show’s amazing.”
Hooligans shows Reeves encouraging the team when even Hollinger would pump the brakes.
“He’s like, No, man, come on. We have to try harder. Come on,'” Hollinger said. “You’re tapping your watch. You’re yelling out times. ‘Three minutes! Fuel, tire pressures.'”
However, as Alexander’s racing season turns out, Reeves is eager to see ARCH continue entering contests.
“That’s what’s happening, man,” Reeves exclaimed. “The journey continues.”
