Lemke Happier with the New Car
The weeks before Bark River my brother and I tore the front end of the car apart including the steering linkage in search of the feedback I was getting in the steering wheel. We were almost out of ideas when the source of the problem appeared to have been diagnosed. A couple of inner bushings on the lower control arms had worked their way out of position and rendered themselves ineffective. We replaced the bushings and beefed up the steering linkage in hopes to eliminate the problem. After a few test runs I was satisfied that we had solved the problem.
In addition to the steering changes we also made some slight suspension adjustments and received the long anticipated FOX shox for the rear. Finally the disappointment of the opening weekend at Crandon turned into anticipation and excitement for Bark River.
When we arrived at the track I could not wait for the Friday practice session to begin. I wanted to get the car out on the track and see how it was going to handle. Finally it was my turn to get out there and make some laps. The first lap I took it a little easy to make sure the rear shocks were going to launch the car flat off the jumps and soak up the landings. I was quickly assured that the valving and compression was almost right on the money and began to crank it up. The third lap into a four lap practice the car was starting to handle a little different than it had the previous laps. Shortly after that the front left wheel began to flop in the air. I pulled the car off the track and assessed what had happen. The C-link that attaches the front spindle to the car had snapped in half and the only thing left holding the wheel to the car was the tie rod. I borrowed the ratchet strap from a track worker, strapped the wheel on the hood and drove the car back to our pits on three wheels. Again we were working on the car, better to have happened in practice but better if it would not have happened at all. We repaired the car and it was ready to race on Saturday.
Saturday’s race I was lined up 13th, the second person in the back row with 11 cars in the front row. I knew I had my work cut out for me starting that far back but I was ready for the challenge. I needed a good finish so I could get back into the front row and push towards the podium. The green flag flew and soon I found myself feeling very comfortable in the car. Although it would react a little different than I expected at times it still responded well to where I was commanding it. I ended up finishing the race in 6th place which put me in 12th position in the points and on the pole for Sunday’s race. I accomplished my goal for Saturday and was looking towards a podium on Sunday.
Sunday’s race arrived; starting on the pole adds a lot more excitement and anxiety while waiting for your turn to take to the track. After what seemed to be the never ending wait is was the 1600 Light Buggy’s turn to turn to hit the dirt at Bark River. The start of the race was far from perfect; it seemed the entire field pushed to the right where I was, trying to get the best line to the first corner. I soon found myself getting pinched way too tight into the first corner and I was headed for a tire buried in the ground which marked the inside of the corner. Instead of hitting the tire with my right front wheel I made the decision to move farther to the right and hit the tire square with the car. The car popped over the tire and all was well. After the first lap I was in contention for a podium finish. I was in 4th and quickly chasing down the 3rd place car but suddenly began to hear an unusual noise and feeling a vibration in the rear. I settled into 4th and was trying to salvage the position I had, knowing that something in the rear of the car, probably the transmission, was going to fail. If I could just get it to hold on another 8 laps it would be better than not finishing. As luck would have it, bad luck that is, I did not make it to the finish of even the 3rd lap and the transmission had enough. I coasted the car off the track and watched the race from a distance.
As I sat and watched the race I was thinking about where I would be if I could have held it together the entire race. It appeared that 4th would have been all mine when suddenly the 3rd place car I was chasing also pulled off the track with mechanical problems. It just added insult to injury. Even if I had not passed him, which I think I could have, I would have made my Sunday goal of being on the podium.
Heading into Oshkosh on July 24th and 25th I am in 13th for the points, once again out of the 12 position inversion. Most likely we will be starting two-by-two which means I will be 7 rows and 13 cars deep on the start with 12 great drivers in front of me. The good thing is Oshkosh is a small technical track and there is opportunity to make up positions unlike the large wide open tracks like Crandon and Bark River so I will be pushing hard again for a good finish Friday and get closer to the front for Saturday nights start.
- 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
