By Kathleen BergerRecord Staff WriterLloyd Wideman traveled the NASCAR circuit as a marketing director and consultant before returning home to Warren County to be with his ailing father, Warren Wideman, in 2012.The weekend before Wideman’s dad passed away in August 2013, the father and son invested in tactical gear to sell online to “preppers” for emergency preparedness. It was the beginning of a business idea that Wideman said his father encouraged him to pursue.“On that Monday we did all the inventory,” said Wideman. “Then he went home and died of a massive heart attack.”Three days later, Wideman said NASCAR driver Clay Greenfield called him to invest in that business idea — for Wideman to own and operate a tactical disaster and preparedness store and possible franchise.The business grew almost overnight. Clutch Defense LLC opened its online store in October.The business name, Clutch Defense, was born from Wideman family history in Warren County.Wideman’s grandfather founded a clutch company called “Midwest Rebuilders.” And there are a couple of other meanings.“A clutch is what NASCAR drivers use to shift gears and a clutch is when you’re in a real pinch,” he said. “We chose ‘defense’ versus ‘tactical’ because you can’t argue defending your family, your home and your community.”In top speed, Clutch Defense is out there for the world to see — and not just online.Clutch Defense sponsored Greenfield and the No. 68 Dodge at Talladega in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Oct. 19.“This is a great opportunity for my team,” said Greenfield. “With all the natural disasters that have happened over the past few years it is evident that people need to be more prepared for any emergency. Partnering with Clutch Defense at Talladega is a perfect environment to get noticed and help educate people. This weekend we are setting the cornerstone of a long-term relationship.” That was just the beginning, a giant jump-start before throwing the green flag in Warrenton.Clutch Defense just opened its first store in Warrenton at 406 East Booneslick Road. It’s open for business Monday through Saturday, but don’t look for the sign yet because Clutch Defense is still working on obtaining a sign permit with the city.Wideman says the grand opening will hopefully be in three weeks. No date is set because Wideman, who is still involved in NASCAR as a consultant, said Clutch Defense is gearing up to sponsor a car in the upcoming 2014 Daytona 500.Clutch Defense carries specialized gear and apparel for law enforcement and EMS personnel. It also offers survival and home defense products to civilians.“We have a AR500 steel plate body armor system for your average everyday preppers, which is basically the vest that military or SWAT members would wear to carry their gear, whether it’s their magazine pouches or holsters,” said Wideman.Clutch Defense also sells 72-hour tactical bags.“No one else in the community or surrounding communities are offering that type of product which essentially is a backpack that has items that, if right now you had to leave with what you have, you can survive on your own in the wilderness for three-to-five days based off of what’s just in this pack. That could be first aid kits, ready-to-eat meals, water purifications systems, tents, emergency blankets.”“Prepping is becoming the thing. Pop culture, if you want to call it that,” said Wideman. “It’s the fear of the unstable economy, the financial system, changes in weather patterns and lack of trust in government.”Wideman believes the television show “Doomsday Preppers” on the National Geographic Channel is driving the popularity of becoming a prepper. An increasing number of Americans are preparing for the worst by stocking up for long-term survival, which is supporting growing businesses like Clutch Defense.“The show lets a lot of people know that there are people out there doing what they want to do and they know it’s okay to come out of the closet and go do those things,” said Wideman.Wideman says it’s his philosophy to be prepared for any disaster. He said Clutch Defense will also provide education and instruction in disaster preparedness.“We don’t want to take, we want to give back which is why we want to offer different types of classes — everything from water purification and canning, which is almost a lost art, to advanced shooter courses.”The race for the finish line to success will have a few pit stops. Clutch Defense sells ammunition, but it cannot sell guns. Wideman said plans are in the works to sell guns, hopefully in the near future. And the goal is for Clutch Defense to become a franchise with stores nationwide in the next three to five years.

Lloyd Wideman, owner of Clutch Defense, LLC, at 406 East Booneslick Road, shows off some of his inventory at his recently open storefront. The shop carries emergency preparedness items. Kathleen Berger photo.