Todd Macke Represents ATVers at 2011 Extremity Games
- Updated: May 31, 2011
Todd Macke and Doug Henry
Millington Michigan, Baja Acres MX was the site for Extremity Games 6. Todd Macke tried his luck at racing a two-wheel dirt bike for the first time on one of THE biggest stages of his 31-year career. Competing in a race where all participants have a disability (paralyzed or limb loss) X6 has become a prestigious and well run event, BUT unfortunetely ATV riders are not included. X6 doesn’t offer a quad class due to past ATV riders at this track complaining how the sand destroys their motors, so instead of interfering with the track the X6 event chooses to not offer quad classes, not yet anyway. And if Todd has his say disabled ATVers will be included at future events.
As for this year’s X6 event, it would be the return for Doug Henry and Justin Weeks on a motocross track. Many other participants were equally fast riders (defending champ Gold medalist Chris Ridgeway, “Monster” Mike Schultz, South Africa’s Sampie Erasmus, Nick Pappas, and Darius Glover). Another long time ATV racer took Silver, Nick Mardis from Mackinaw, IL, who finishing behind Mike Schultz. Todd Macke finished with a respectable fourth place racing a Piranha 140 pit bike.
“I’ve raced many different types of ATV events over the years. This time I tried something new and attended an event where I didn’t know anybody, and raced on two wheels instead of four. I guess you can call me crazy since I raced a pitbike against much bigger bikes, but I figured I might inspire someone else with a disability to come out and try it next year regardless of what kind of machine they have to ride,” said Todd Macke.
Conditions were rough. The entire track was made of deep gnarly sand like you would find at Echeconne MX in Macon, GA. Todd crashed three times and raced with a flat rear tire but had a blast nonetheless.
“We were treated like rock stars and it was a dream of mine to finally race in a class where all participants have a disability and getting to race against Doug Henry and Justin Weeks was an honor. I have great respect for what these guys go through everyday. For this one day we were all on an equal playing field. It was really great,” said Todd.
Todd went on to tell us that he will be working with Jim Wazny and Beth Taylor of Extremity for the 2012 event. The plan is to have a separate event at another track. With this bikes won’t be the only class available, quad, pit bike and side by side drivers will have the opportunity to enjoy the event just as much as dirt bike riders.
For more information or to get involved as a racer or sponsor at the next Extremity event contact Todd Macke on his Facebook page.
