June 14, 2010 - A Roll and a Win
Lemke Off-Road Racing Team headed to Antigo for the TORC season opener and after attending the MORR test session at Crandon in May we felt that we had potential to run up front.
On Saturday we were assigned the starting position of 6th out of a strong field of 17 angry light buggies. Not a bad position to draw at all considering we were starting two by two with a rolling start. Our plan was to pass a few cars in the first lap and settle in on at least a podium position before the competition yellow at midpoint of the race and we did just that.
We were sitting in 3rd with the very fast Matt Gerald in 1st. As the midpoint green flag flew I was quickly passed by a couple of cars and sitting in 5th. Knowing this was not where we wanted to be I pressed hard to make up a few positions. With three laps to go in the race I hooked some heavy dirt on the right hander in the infield of the oval track and sent myself sailing through the air and ended up on my roof. The quick actions of the track workers were able to get me flipped back over in exactly the time it took to make one lap, just under a minute. As my brother-in-law told me on the radio that the car looked ok and to go the 4th place car that I was chasing came around the corner again and I got right back into the race where I had left one lap ago which was barely in front of the 117 car of Barry Wahlen who had a very good race. I ended up finishing the race in 12th position just behind Barry which wasn’t too bad with all things considered because it put us on the pole for Sunday’s race.
Saturday night brought some heavy rain and the track was saturated with water and very thick heavy wet clay. The crew and I talked about putting the mud tires on but decided to gamble that the track would dry out a little and the BFGoodrich Winter Salons would hook up later in the race. Well it proved to be the right decision. As the green flag flew, and being on the pole, I was in the lead but was very cautious not to spin on the wet track. A little too cautious maybe, after two laps I was passed by the 169 car of Eric Lear where I settled in for several more laps until we were both taken over by the once again lightning fast Matt Gerald. Going into the competition yellow it was Matt, Eric and I in third. At that time I was thinking just maintain the third and get on the podium, which would be a great way to finish the weekend after rolling the previous day.
However a costly mistake by Matt Gerald gave me new hope and determination, after the green flew Matt went a little too hard into the exact corner that I had rolled in the day before and he spun out into some thick mud on the outside of the corner. When this happened in front of me I checked up long enough to allow the 114 car of Bill Kortens to pass me and take over second spot. There I was sitting in third once again.
A few laps latter Bill slid wide coming back onto the infields of the oval and I snuck inside of him where we stayed in second for a couple more laps. The ironic thing about Eric being in front of me was my brother was radioing for him and I was wondering if Nick was filling his ears with doubt as I was running right on his rear bumper. I knew he most likely wasn’t but the hope did cross my mind.
For an entire lap I was pressing Eric hard until finally, the corner I rolled the day before, I over took him on the inside which put us in first place where we held on for the win. It was a great race for the team. If had been a long time since we were even on the podium and never with the new car. After a disappointing 2009 season and a roll on opening day of the TORC season this win was just awesome. We had looked for one all last year but just never had lady luck on our side. She finally decided we were worthy and took a ride with us.
Lemke Off-Road Racing Team would like to thank all out sponsors for once again supporting us in the 2010 season and look forward to seeing them at the BIG house in Crandon, WI June 19th – 20th.
- 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
