The gate dropped and the Maxxis tires launched me off the gate in a wheelie all the way down the straight into 3rd gear to a top 5 place in the first corner. I settled in during the first lap and had Stan Digby in my sights.

#40 Todd Macke got a top five start in the 30+ C Class

My second race of Saturday was 40+ and I had a far outside gate pick. I duplicated my great start again with less wheelie and more power to the ground holding my line for a top 10 first corner place. I settled into my own pace and rode my own race, didn’t crash, and didn’t break anything and finished with a smile on my face. My 100% goggles with tear off’s kept my vision clear all weekend.

Todd Macke also raced in the 40+ Class at Red Bud Motocross

Sunday, my start in the 30+C didn’t go as well, I missed a shift off the start but battled back to stay with the pack. I redeemed myself in the 40+ class with a launch off the gate from the far outside and held my line into the first turn around the 10th spot. Launched off jumps, railed the turns, put the throttle to stops coming up the Monza wall, blitzed the sand whoops, jumped LaRocco’s leap, and most of all I railed the outside berm of turn 2 all by myself slinging dirt for the fun of it.

Cody’s family was going nuts in the mechanics area. My wife and son Max and Cody were in the infield keeping a close on me going back & forth.

All eyes where on Todd Macke as he passes the mechanics area

My overall finishes weren’t where I wanted to be, but it didn’t matter, win or lose I got to race a Pro quad and feel like a Pro for a weekend. Red Bud provided special plaques for us to autograph for each other. Cody autographed one his Honda hood scoops; this will be up on my office wall as a prized possession. Having my wife and son there cheering me on every lap meant a lot to me. I looked like a Pro wearing Keith Little’s jersey; Keith sponsored my efforts in 2007.

ATVriders.com: We heard you had a battle with ITP’s “Big Daddy” Stan Digby, tell us about it?
Todd Macke: I battled with Stan in 30+C on Saturday and he experienced a personal issue on the first lap and had to pull off.  Sunday’s race he rode in front of me for 3 laps, and I made the pass on the corner before the white flag.  Thinking I could pull away from Stan on the last lap, he dug deep and came back and passed me in the corner at the bottom of the ski jump.  I gave chase and couldn’t pass him before the checkered flag.  I know Big Daddy can ride and proud of him for riding his hardest until the very end.  Stan asked to race me again in 2015 at Red Bud.

Todd Macke battled with ITP's "Big Daddy" Stan Digby in the 30+ C Class

ATVriders.com: We heard you had a wild “save” in the 40+ class, what happened?
Todd Macke: I rode a great race in the 40+ on Sunday.  On the 3rd lap I battled with another rider corner to corner.  Coming into the left hand turn before the Red Bud table top that had a double in the middle, the other rider took the inside turn and I railed the outside turn leaving the throttle on in 3rd gear to make the double.  We jumped the double side by side and I held my line and in the air I looked over and saw the other quad coming towards me.  I landed first and the other quad landed on the left side of my quad throwing the other rider off the side of the table top and quad tumbling.  This turned my left front tire causing me to do a complete 360 spin and stalled the engine. I held on to the quad, completed the 360 and down sided the table top to jump start the engine and take off again racing all in one motion. When I came up the Monza wall I saw my wife & son Max and Cody Janssen waving their hands and smiling, gave them a fist pump and kept going. The Elka steering stabilizer saved me from flipping the quad!  When I got back to the trailer, the rider that hit me came over to make sure I was alright. 

Although Todd Macke didn't finish were he would have preferred, he was still all smiles coming through the finish & was very thankful for having the opportunity to race!

ATVriders.com: What’s the plan for 2015?
Todd Macke: This was a very successful weekend, simple and fun.  The Janssen team has offered me a chance to race their Pro quad again in 2015 at any or all rounds of the series.  his was the first time I didn’t have to pull a trailer, do wrenching, wash the quad, or get a transponder.  I got the full Pro treatment and meant a great deal to me. Getting a chance to talk to Cody about race lines, and different aspects of the track was a great experience.  Even though I had a Pro quad under me, I raced to my own capabilities and not above my head.  I’m proud of Cody for winning Pro Rookie of the year!  Look for Cody to be in the top 5 mix in 2015!  I want to thank Amy Ritchie and the Red Bud crew for their hospitality, and all of Cody’s sponsors for putting great products on his quad to make it fast and safe for me to race.  It will be a dream to put this Pro quad on the podium at the end of 2015 season and have a trophy next to it.

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