Lawnmower:

Lawnmower racing is a form of motorsport in which competitors race modified lawnmowers, usually of the ride on or self-propelled variety. Original mower engines are retained, but blades are removed for safety. The sport attracts all ages, and is usually entered into in a spirit of fun rather than extreme competitiveness, though many do take it quite seriously.

Lawn mower racing was started back in 1973 by an Irishman called Jim Gavin. Jim was heavily involved in rallying and like all motorsport at this time, sponsorship was creeping in. Jim didn’t really like this and wanted to create a form of motorsport that didn’t involve lots of money and was readily accessible to everyone. they realised that everyone had a lawn mower in their garden shed so they said “let’s race them”, and they did.



Best players:


Bobby Cleveland - set the land speed record for the World’s Fastest Lawnmower on July 4, 2006 at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, receiving international media coverage.
The most important nationalities are North Carolina, Australia and Englad(who is the best in this sport). Others drivers are Kenneth Pioch(is the oldest driver whith 84 years old) and Jodie Grimes (36 years old).

To enter any race meeting you must be a member of the BLMRA, have had your mower homologated, stamped and been issued with a log book and race number.


Some tournaments are:


THE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP (The British Championship takes place from May to October.) Events not part of the Championship are: any ENDURANCE EVENT( The 12 hours endurance race and the 3 hours endurance race), BRITISH GRAND PRIX, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Other tournament is CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP.

Recently, the folks at Team Runningblade in England have challenged the world record of 80.792 mph.


Official rules:


-Driver Eligibility
   Drivers must be members of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association or must race as part of a sanctioned USLMRA Affiliated Club (AC).
   Drivers must be 18 years of age. Drivers 8-17 years of age can race with parental permission.
   All drivers must sign a release discharging the USLMRA from liability.
-Mower Eligibility
   Events are open to all self-propelled rotary or reel style riding lawn mowers.
   The mower must originally have been designed and sold commercially to mow lawns.
   It must remain suitable for lawn cutting, apart from the modifications permitted in the Handbook.
-Technical Inspection
   Every mower entered in any USLMRA event must be approved for competition by Technical Inspection.
   Any mower may be re-inspected at any time by the Chief Steward or Chief Technical Inspector.
-Mower Requirements
   CUTTING BLADES MUST BE REMOVED COMPLETELY FROM ALL MOWERS.
   Non-stock mowers must be equipped with an automatic throttle closing device.
   All mowers must be equipped with an engine safety cut-off switch.
   Mower brakes must be in good condition, operating on at least 2 wheels.
   Fuel must be pump gas. The only additive allowed is STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer.
-Driver Safety Equipment
   Every driver must wear an automobile racing or motorcycle-type safety helmet.
   Every driver shall wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and shoes on the track.
   It is MANDATORY that all drivers wear an “approved for racing” neck support.
-Rider Mower Classification
   Stock Class: As delivered from the factory.
   IMOW Class: (Int’l Mowers Of Weeds) Front engine, highly regulated.
   Prepared Class: Prepared (modified) drive train, engine, etc.
   FX Class: Major modifications allowed.
   JP Class: Class for kids ages 10-15.
-U.S.Open Events
   U.S. Open Kids Stock (5mph max)
   U.S. Open Super Stock (Un-Governed Single Flat Heads and Shiftable Transaxle or Transmissions only)
   U.S. Open Single
   U.S. Open Twins