August 24, 2010 - Am I Ever Going to Get a Good Start, Finally
After coming off a rather disappointing weekend in Oshkosh Lemke Off-Road Racing Team was looking forward to heading back to Bark River once again. Still considered to be a favorite track but after the well accepted changes at Crandon and the rough double jump by the road earlier in the season at Bark River it was starting to be a second.
Friday when we arrived and took the kids out on the track for a little inspection I was pleasantly surprised to see the double had been replaced with yet another rather wicked looking rhythm section. It was 10 to 12 large bumps in a series and I was not sure if the car was going to soak them up or if I was going to need some dental work after the weekend.
That afternoon we received the chance, as we usually do at Bark River, to make a few laps and do some testing. The first lap I took it a little easy through the rhythm section but quickly realized the car was going to handle them just fine and the second lap around I flat footed it and handled them great.
As we lined up for Saturday’s race I was praying that I could finally get a decent start and race up front from the get go instead of having to play catch-up but Saturday was not going to be the day. When the green flag flew Jeff Virning and I were bumping a little bit and about half way down the hill I was slammed pretty hard on the right by Matt Ascher. At that point I became the meat in their sandwich and they both had the lead on me. I quickly realized that nothing good could come out of me staying in the gas so I backed out and filed in behind them. I crossed the timing loop for the start of the first lap in 6th and quickly fell back to 8th. As the laps went on I was able to work up one more position, finished in 7th and had a great time racing the last half of the race with an “old” time veteran in our class John Huven.
After the race I noticed that the right rear rim of which were brand new and freshly nickel plated by ASTRO Industrial had a big dent in it. I did not even make it 100 yards on the new wheels without damaging one. I do have to admit thought the plating held up nice, not a single crack or chip could be seen, I said to the crew that I just wish I could get a good start one of these times it always looks good but something seems to happen. They agreed it had been a while since I had a good start and promised Sunday would be better.
Sunday morning when I returned from the drivers meeting I found my lil buddy and sponsor from HEC, Jeff “Mycracken” Hosking preparing the car for Sunday’s race. I tried to help but he just kept saying “you go relax and get your head into the race, I got this”. I continued to try and help a little here and there but he was not allowing it. When race time came the car was 100% prepared and I did not have any worries that Jeff had over looked something.
We all lined up and the green flag flew, once again I was the center of a toad sandwich, but this time I had the jump on the other two. When the front tires are free you at least have a chance of maintaining control so I kept my foot in the gas and headed for the corner. In the corner cars were going ever which way, somehow I was able to pick my way through and before anyone else got there, I pulled the hole shot starting in the middle of the pack.
I held the lead for two laps ahead of Matt Gerald who was coming off a three race winning streak. He finally chased me down and took the lead and at the competition yellow I was sitting comfortable in second. Matt and I had run away from the pack and I was feeling confident we could pick up where we left off. When the green flag flew for the second half I had just mashed my foot to the floor and was getting passed by Jeff Virning. How could that be, he was in 5th before the competition yellow and was passing me as the green flag flew. I have an idea and it isn’t because his car accelerates faster when we all go at the same time.
With Jeff in second I battled with Matt Ascher who is turning into a very competitive racer in his rookie season. We swapped the final podium position back and forth several times but in the end I finished 3rd and filled the last spot. It felt great to be back on the podium after what was too long of a dry spell. When I got out of the car I was greeted by a swarm, shared hugs with my family Cori, Jadin and Laci, which appeared to be as happy as I was, and received congratulations from many others. Being on the podium is exciting but having the support of so many friends and family and being able to share it with them is awesome.
A few others attended the race that weekend were Chad Gehrke and his family from Complete Auto Body, Terry Hanstedt and his wife from Logistic Assembly Solutions and previously mentioned Jeff Hosking and his family from Hosking Electrical Contracting. Thank you for coming and sharing the fun and excitement with us.
Lemke Off-Road Racing Team would like to thank all our sponsors and look forward to seeing them at “The BIG House”, for the World Championship Races in Crandon on Labor Day weekend September 4th-5th.
- Todd Lemke
Name: Todd Lemke
Sport: 1600 Light Buggy
City, State you reside in: Sobieski, WI (20 miles North of Green Bay)
Single/Married: Married to Cori Lemke
Kids: Jadin and Laci
Age: 7 and 4
Age When First Started Competing: 30
Favorite Spot: Any place quiet and outside
Favorite Vacation Spot: Any place where I am away from the normal every day routine.
Inspiration: My family and a drive to suceed.
Career Honors, Awards and Highlights: 1st place finish my first year racing in an old 2 seater.
Took 3rd in the year end points in 2003. (I need to verify the year)
When I’m not competing I like to: Spend time with my family, hunt, fish and snowmobile.
Other interesting Info : My first off road race I rolled my car and broke my wrist but still finished the race. Served in the United States Air Force (1988-1991). I can't dance!
Quote: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail " - unkown
