ATV Scene: That's pretty stand-up right there. Good for you brother.
Macke: Thanks. I have been blessed with the talent and love for riding and racing ATVs over my long career. Thanks to my many sponsors in the ATV community over the years I have also been fortunate to have the ability to continue to follow my passion in life. Now I just want to return the favor and give the same opportunities to kids that may not be so fortunate so they too can have everything they need to enjoy this incredible sport. As everybody knows, disability or not, having the right tools to do a job makes a world of difference. Hopefully this event [The Maxxis 12 Hours of ATV America] and all the media attention it receives will raise awareness to people with disabilities and give them something to shoot for in their own lives. With this maybe they'll see that they can indeed ride or race ATVs like everybody else.

ATV Scene: Your mission here could in fact be much bigger than the ATV industry.
Macke: I totally agree. I would be willing to bet that there's thousands of people out there with disabilities that just need a little shove to get them to follow their passion regardless of what it is.

ATV Scene: True that! Maybe there's a little boy out there that just wants to simply play nine holes of golf. After seeing what you're pulling off maybe they'll get the courage to get off the couch and actually do it, right?
Macke: Absolutely! You follow my point exactly. As I said I think I can do a lot of good for a lot of people! And it all starts with this year's 12 Hours of America.

ATV Scene: Let's talk more about race day. How many laps do you think you can complete and how much money do you think you can raise?
Macke: My goal is to complete at least 24 laps, or two laps per hour. Lap times run around 15 minutes, so if I ride at 50% of my ability I think I can last the entire 12 hours and finish the entire race. I am hoping to raise $5,000.

ATV Scene: How did you come up with this idea?
Macke: For many years now I've been thinking about starting an ATV riding school for people with disabilities after my own racing career is over. ART (Ability Riders of Tomorrow) is a different version of that goal, but I think it can do more good for more people than a riding school can. This new program will help kids with disabilities and our service men/women that develop a disability while serving our country get the tools they need to ride or race ATVs for years to come.

ATV Scene:  Tell us more about how you plan to spend the money you raise. Any specifics?
Macke: For immediate starters I will use the funds to get the parts needed to help any team ART member. Expenses could include traveling costs, safety gear, etc. Beyond any dollar amount, I have a disability myself so I can truly step into the person's shoes. I think they'll be able to relate with me as I will be able to offer knowledge that money can’t buy. Who knows maybe some day there will be enough people involved in this program to allow our own class at a WPSA event! How cool would that be?

Todd is seen here at the 2005 Maxxis 12 Hours of ATV America held in PA. His Alba Ironmen Team of (Todd Macke, Tommy Rich and Guy Sutton) finished 37 of 70.

ATV Scene:  What are the requirements for someone to be a member of ART?
Macke: It's all about giving people with disabilities opportunities to experience ATVs whether they wish to race or just ride. To qualify, the person would of course need to have a disability or some sort, they must have parental support, good grades in school, good school attendance, and a positive attitude both on and off the track. Those are the kind of people I want to introduce to this great sport of ours.

ATV Scene: Do you have anybody lined up for your new ART program?
Macke:   Yes, Dakota (Cody) Shelton from Chattanooga TN. He's a really cool 12 year old kid that happens to have the same disability that I have (CP). With help from his parents he plans on racing the entire WPSA series in 2008. Cody competed at the 2007 Field of Dreams event and finished a very respectable 5th place of nine in his class!  ATV Scene's John Pellan talked with him and his parents and put them in touch with me. I plan to coach him in 2008.  Also, I have a young lady named Jess who lives in Modesto, CA who also has CP and is very interested in getting her first ATV. She wants to experience what quad riding is all about and I really want to help her do it. I have been working with a young man by the name of Trey from Chicago, IL who also has CP.  Trey isn’t interested in ATVs, but wants to be a future commentator for the NBA.  I’m trying to motivate him to walk 150 feet with me some day by getting him an AMBUCS tri-cycle for leg coordination. The tri-cycle is how I got started. I know it can help him tremendously.  Trey is also in need of a wheel chair lift for the family mini-van. His dad is throwing his back out of place every time he tries to get him in and out of his van. I really want to help them too.

ATV Scene: You're quite a guy Todd. That's for sure. Let's get back to the race for a minute. What makes you think you can finish all 12 hours by yourself?
Macke: I talked to Hunter Miller back in March about this year's course. After racing the event in Iowa and Pennsylvania [both times on teams of three], I wanted to know the differences to help me decide if I could pull it off or not. After I ran my idea past Hunter and Cody Miller they were stoked about it and excited to assure me that I could indeed do it. Hunter said the Texas course held up much better than any previous 12 Hours of America track. He said it wont get rough and whooped out like a lot of terrain will. It's also wider and easier to pass on than past events.

Todd (Cerebral Palsy and Spinal Scoliosis) teamed up Jimmy Osborn (left arm amputee) and Jorge Cuartas (left leg amputee) to form Team Media Allstars. The trio finished 83rd overall of 99 teams at the 2004 Maxxis 12 hours of ATV America held in Iowa.

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