Todd Macke 10-12-07
- Updated: October 12, 2007
From one man’s struggle to the next, just like family, the ATV racing community strives to help their own. When one rider falls, even his biggest quad racing competitor will be right there to help him get back on his feet again. Todd Macke is a man who has struggled his entire life with his disability of Cerebral Palsy. However Todd hasn’t let his little disability problem hinder his life long passion of racing one bit. On the contrary in fact, Todd is using his disability to help the sport he loves so dearly and persuade others with disabilities to follow their dreams no matter what the situation brings.
Be sure to read this entire interview as Todd has some incredible things to say. In fact, you just might see this compelling story highlighted on television within the next few months. Here’s the scoop, Todd has been training vigorously the last few months. His goal is to complete the entire 12 Hours of ATV America by himself! As interesting as that story may be his effort will stand for a much more noble tale come this November.
Todd’s plan is to attract as many money paying sponsors as he can come race time. All the money he raises will be given to an all new program called ART (Ability Riders of Tomorrow).The organization’s mission is to help individuals with disabilities get the tools they need to ride ATVs or perhaps race ATVs. Much like a 5K running fund raiser where people donate X amount of dollars per lap, Todd’s sponsors will do the same. The more laps Todd completes the more money he raises.
Todd has been a true asset to the sport of ATV racing. He lives and breathes ATVs and has done so most of his entire life. Add the fact that he’s got a heart of gold and it’s easy to want to root Todd on as he chases his latest and perhaps most notorious goal this November.
Below is our conversation with #31 Todd Macke. It’s our hope that you’ll check out what he has to say and want to contribute to his mission, or perhaps you’ll forward the link to this feature to someone who might want to be a part of his creative plan to help others.
ATV Scene:Okay Todd, come on, are you nuts? You do know that this is a TEAM endurance race right?
Macke: [Laughing] I know… I know… people keep saying that but I want to finish this by myself this time. By doing so I think I can change many lives for the better in the future.
ATV Scene:Tell us more about your plan.
Macke: I will be competing in the “Ironman” class and trying to complete as many laps as I possible can to raise funds to help start a new program called ART (Ability Riders of Tomorrow). The program will help individuals with disabilities get the tools they need to ride ATVs or maybe even race them. I am asking riders in the ATV community, aftermarket companies in the industry and my own personal sponsors to pledge any amount of money for every lap that I complete at the 12 Hours of America. At the end of the race I will announce the amount raised, promote the program and launch its mission of helping others to live life to the fullest regardless of their disabilities.
ATV Scene: That’s pretty stand-up right there. Good for you brother.
Macke: Thanks. I have been blessed with the talent and love for riding and racing ATVs over my long career. Thanks to my many sponsors in the ATV community over the years I have also been fortunate to have the ability to continue to follow my passion in life. Now I just want to return the favor and give the same opportunities to kids that may not be so fortunate so they too can have everything they need to enjoy this incredible sport. As everybody knows, disability or not, having the right tools to do a job makes a world of difference. Hopefully this event and all the media attention it receives will raise awareness to people with disabilities and give them something to shoot for in their own lives. With this maybe they’ll see that they can indeed ride or race ATVs like everybody else.
ATV Scene: Your mission here could in fact be much bigger than the ATV industry.
Macke: I totally agree. I would be willing to bet that there’s thousands of people out there with disabilities that just need a little shove to get them to follow their passion regardless of what it is.
ATV Scene: True that! Maybe there’s a little boy out there that just wants to simply play nine holes of golf. After seeing what you’re pulling off maybe they’ll get the courage to get off the couch and actually do it, right?
Macke: Absolutely! You follow my point exactly. As I said I think I can do a lot of good for a lot of people! And it all starts with this year’s 12 Hours of America.
ATV Scene: Let’s talk more about race day. How many laps do you think you can complete and how much money do you think you can raise?
Macke: My goal is to complete at least 24 laps, or two laps per hour. Lap times run around 15 minutes, so if I ride at 50% of my ability I think I can last the entire 12 hours and finish the entire race. I am hoping to raise $5,000.
ATV Scene: How did you come up with this idea?
Macke: For many years now I’ve been thinking about starting an ATV riding school for people with disabilities after my own racing career is over. ART (Ability Riders of Tomorrow) is a different version of that goal, but I think it can do more good for more people than a riding school can. This new program will help kids with disabilities and our service men/women that develop a disability while serving our country get the tools they need to ride or race ATVs for years to come.
ATV Scene: Tell us more about how you plan to spend the money you raise. Any specifics?
Macke: For immediate starters I will use the funds to get the parts needed to help any team ART member. Expenses could include traveling costs, safety gear, etc. Beyond any dollar amount, I have a disability myself so I can truly step into the person’s shoes. I think they’ll be able to relate with me as I will be able to offer knowledge that money can’t buy. Who knows maybe some day there will be enough people involved in this program to allow our own class at a WPSA event! How cool would that be?
ATV Scene: What are the requirements for someone to be a member of ART?
Macke: It’s all about giving people with disabilities opportunities to experience ATVs whether they wish to race or just ride. To qualify, the person would of course need to have a disability or some sort, they must have parental support, good grades in school, good school attendance, and a positive attitude both on and off the track. Those are the kind of people I want to introduce to this great sport of ours.
ATV Scene: Do you have anybody lined up for your new ART program?
Macke: Yes, Dakota (Cody) Shelton from Chattanooga TN. He’s a really cool 12 year old kid that happens to have the same disability that I have (CP). With help from his parents he plans on racing the entire WPSA series in 2008. Cody competed at the 2007 Field of Dreams event and finished a very respectable 5th place of nine in his class! ATV Scene’s John Pellan talked with him and his parents and put them in touch with me. I plan to coach him in 2008. Also, I have a young lady named Jess who lives in Modesto, CA who also has CP and is very interested in getting her first ATV. She wants to experience what quad riding is all about and I really want to help her do it. I have been working with a young man by the name of Trey from Chicago, IL who also has CP. Trey isn’t interested in ATVs, but wants to be a future commentator for the NBA. I’m trying to motivate him to walk 150 feet with me some day by getting him an AMBUCS tri-cycle for leg coordination. The tri-cycle is how I got started. I know it can help him tremendously. Trey is also in need of a wheel chair lift for the family mini-van. His dad is throwing his back out of place every time he tries to get him in and out of his van. I really want to help them too.
ATV Scene: You’re quite a guy Todd. That’s for sure. Let’s get back to the race for a minute. What makes you think you can finish all 12 hours by yourself?
Macke: I talked to Hunter Miller back in March about this year’s course. After racing the event in Iowa and Pennsylvania [both times on teams of three], I wanted to know the differences to help me decide if I could pull it off or not. After I ran my idea past Hunter and Cody Miller they were stoked about it and excited to assure me that I could indeed do it. Hunter said the Texas course held up much better than any previous 12 Hours of America track. He said it wont get rough and whooped out like a lot of terrain will. It’s also wider and easier to pass on than past events.
ATV Scene: Any special setups to help you?
Macke: Having raced and finished two prior 12 Hours of America events with a three member team, I know what it takes to finish. I need a special clutch that would eliminate the need to pull in the clutch lever over the long haul to reduce hand fatigue. We are installing a special clutch perch and lever that will help with hand fatigue. I’m also using FLEXX bars. They greatly help reduce hand fatigue as well. A soft cushy seat will be needed as well. Of course TCS aftermarket shocks will help with the rough stuff and jump landings. I will use an electric start instead of kick because I don’t have enough weight to kick start the big fourstroke motors. I will utilize the stock headlight for night, and add additional lighting to the handlebars and my helmet.
ATV Scene: What kind of training have you done to prepare for this event?
Macke: Everyday is a challenge for a person with a disability. I feel like I have trained for this my whole life. I have been racing the WPSA series in the 35+ class. My job duties with my employer require me to walk a lot and climb stairs on a daily basis. I ride bicycles with my two sons Adam, and Max at a local skate park with ramps. I have also ran a few 5K races a few times this year. This really helps build up my endurance and cardio.
ATV Scene: Who has agreed to help you so far?
Macke: I posted a flier at the Taylorville, IL WPSA and Keith Little read it and found me in the pits. Keith is providing me with new gear from a few of his sponsors. He’s hooking me up with much needed new boots from Sidi. I’ll be wearing some of his FLY race gear and Scott Goggles. Also Keith Little is donating a large check to cover my travel expenses to the 12 Hours and any miscellaneous items I need. I think his QUAD Magazine holeshots this year helped make this happen for me. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am to Keith! Also ATV Scene signed up for $10 per lap and has helped get this thing going. A fellow friend of mine Steve Tyriver is signed up for a per lap donation (we work together to help a young man in Chicago that has Cerebral Palsy). My long time mentor and friend Tom Stone is signed up for a per lap donation. Several people on the ATV Scene forums have also offered to help. Jorge Cuartas of Suzuki/Tucker Rocky Media All Stars has offered to assist with anything I may need as well.
ATV Scene: Who makes up your pit crew?
Macke: Craig and Cody Suggs will be my pit crew along with several members of their race team. Dakota (Cody) Shelton and his pit crew will be a member of my pit as well.
ATV Scene: What are some items you still need?
Macke: With a short amount of time left, I plan to get some riding time at Craig Suggs local track and determine what missing pieces we need. Lighting and tires will be two things we will need to acquire. I will need a hydration backpack too, but what I need most are pledges to help this mission.
ATV Scene: Want to name some sponsors?
Macke: Sure, maybe with this they’ll help the cause and pledge some cash per lap. Regardless, I’m forever grateful for their support of me over the years. They include:
ALBA Action Sports
Streamline Braking
Rath Racing
Total Control Suspension
ROX Speed FX
ATP Racing
GT Thunder
Hetrick Racing
Outerwears
Daniel Boone MX
IMS
Durablue
DG
ITP
Blaster Boy Motorsports
BigDaddy Motorsports
STAR Silkscreen
MXSQUID.com
ATV Scene: How does someone go about making a pledge toward helping you help others?
Macke: They can tell announcer Mark Straubinger at the race. He will have a list on his clipboard and plans to cover my race all day at the event and live on ATV Scene.
ATV Scene: Closing words?
Macke: This year the 12 Hour event happens to be on my birthday. It marks 28 years that I have been riding and racing ATVs! I hope this effort will not only help kids like Dakota Shelton, but inspire all people with disabilities to overcome some of their challenges (hint hint Trey!) I have been challenged my entire life, endured hidden discrimination and have been told that I don’t have any skills. A person once told me that I would never win a race. I’ve proved them all wrong and more! It comes down to this, if you’re not challenging yourself, then you’re not progressing in life. I have the right tools in place for this task, the right attitude and experience to accomplish the goal. I will succeed! See you at the finish line!
Todd’s 2004 12 Hrs Mission was featured in his hometown newspaper
