A Brief History of Competitive Lawnmower Races
Most people wouldn’t think of lawnmowers as good vehicles for competitive racing, but insiders know better. Find out about the history and exciting world of lawnmower races.
Lawnmower races are friendly competitions in which participants of all ages race ride-on mowers with their blades removed for safety. All factory-built mowers are welcome, from big names like Honda and Craftsman to lesser-known brands like Toro and Ferris.
How Lawn Mower Racing Got Its Start
The sport started in 1963 in the town of Twelve Mile, Indiana. The first race, organized by the Twelve Mile Lions Club, was held to celebrate Independence Day. It’s called the Twelve Mile 500, and it’s still held today in modified form.
The Twelve Mile 500 is a 15-mile, 60-lap course on a quarter-mile track. Currently held in Grand-Prix style in Plank Hill Park, it’s open to a maximum of 33 teams per race. Each team has one driver, a pit crew, and a lap judge.
From Humble Beginnings
Though lawnmower racing has humble origins, it has become a serious affair with multiple national organizations. The US Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) and American Racing Mower Association (ARMA) are joined by many regional clubs.
Well-known American races include events at the Wilkes County Agricultural Fairground facility in North Wilkesboro, NC, bi-weekly races in Patton, MO, and various events across New Mexico.
The USLMRA maintains a lawnmower racing Hall of Fame in Marion, Ohio. The first competitors were inducted in 2009. They include adults, children, families, and occasional company sponsors. The USLMRA now includes 16 local chapters.
Lawnmower Racing Abroad
Some claim that lawnmower racing originated in the United Kingdom. However, the first organized race did not take place there until 1968, when a local Cricket Club organized the “Lawn Mower Grand Prix.” The sport took hold just as quickly in the UK as in the US.
The British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLMRA) was formed in 1973. There are now multiple local racing clubs across the UK, each with slightly different rules.
In England, the first mowers used were self-propelled, walk-behind models that required racers to run behind them. Now, wheel-driven ride-on mowers are the norm. A contemporary Australian Ride-On Lawn Mower Association (AROLMRA) is also in operation today.
The Rules of the Race
Every mower racing association has a slightly different set of rules, but most require participants to race within classes. Standard racing mowers are stock mowers with few modifications. Prepared or modified mowers undergo more significant alterations.
As a rule, standard mowers travel around six mph, while modified mowers can achieve up to 40 mph. Competitors in the third mower class, the factory-experimental mower, often reach speeds of over 60 mph.
Most races have strict rules in place requiring riders to wear safety gear and include tethered kill switches to prevent further injuries if a driver falls off. Despite these regulations, the sport maintains a general air of fun and inclusiveness.
Those interested can contact local chapters of the USLMRA to learn more about how to get started with lawn mower racing.
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