Anyone ever heard of riding mower races? A couple of miles from our olive farm (now freeze killed olive farm) a gentleman has built a riding mower oval dirt track for racing riding mowers. I haven't paid much attention to it but this past Saturday there was a couple of hundred spectators and 20 or so racing mowers. Apparently, these guys take this pretty seriously, they had trailers with work lights, some had several racers and many had sponsor decals on their mower and trailer. It appears many, if not most, of the mowers are powered by motorcycle engines. They were hauling ass. I didn't think to take photos as I drove by but I will next time they are racing when I go by. I did take a couple of pics of the track, one of which shows one of the racing mowers.

Thanks...I was unaware of this “sport”, the track in the video is much longer than the one I spoke of but it appears the mowers that I saw seemed much faster. Looks like fun, too

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Thanks...I was unaware of this “sport”, the track in the video is much longer than the one I spoke of but it appears the mowers that I saw seemed much faster. Looks like fun, too

Joyce and I used to race Jeeps back in the 70's on the East Coast. Fun weekends with fun people and the prizes were never more than a trophy.

Over time it grew and now is super organized with minutiae rules for safety, etc.

I get it, but I wouldn't be part of that now.

Maybe this lawn mower racing sprouted up as another way for fun loving people to get together without all the rules you see in Sprint cars etc.

I watched that video and though, holy crap, no roll cage. I'm nervous on my old tractor on flat ground because it doesn't have a ROPS.

Yeah Man. It's some entertaining redneckery!

You know it started with "here, hold my beer".

Reminds me of the story of George Jones, the country AND western singer who was married to Tammy Why-not. She was a trying to cure him off the Wild Turkey and hid the keys to all 24 of his cars and trucks so he wouldn't get another DUI.

So he drove his riding mower to the liquor store for a 12 pack!!

YeeeHawww!!!

I remember watching a video years ago where the racing mower had to cut grass to a certain height and distance. Then you had a certain length of time to remove the mower deck and anything else related to cutting grass. Once that was done, you ran a race.

Todd, I remember that story as well. Along the same lines in a way, a few3 years ago I was attending a parade down main street. The Shriners were there on their go-carts with Fezs. In front of them was a little girl (Sunday Sweetheart) about 5 years old wearing crinolettes + pushing a baby carriage. The "bikers" started doing loops around her + you could see the fear on her face, but she never lost step + finished the parade. I understand the entertainment factor for the public but I have NEVER seen any reason to terrify a child.

Todd, regarding the redneckery, I can recall many trips to the "roundy rounds" + the grand finale of the "Demolition Derby". Now THAT was entertaining. Bring your own Beechnut.

I can only imagine what the rest of the world thinks but the epitome of Hank + Peggy Hill, et. al. are very real members of our community. I know a LOT of them. Humorous, yes to a degree; in reality those are the kind of people that are loyal friends + will always have your back. I'm honored to know + live among such folks.

I was surprised to find this sport originated in the British Isles. I'd have guessed Alabama.

I drove by the track near our place today, appeared they have t raced in a while but I did catch a glimpse of a lifted mower in one of the buildings at the track. Next time I go by and see someone, I’ll stop and ask if I can take a photo.

I noticed yesterday that the track has been “groomed”, new gay bales being placed around the track, light plants in place and parking area mowed…bet races are about to resume! I’ll stop in next weekend if anyone is there and get the scoop along with a photo or two .

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
I noticed yesterday that the track has been “groomed”, new gay bales being placed around the track, light plants in place and parking area mowed…bet races are about to resume! I’ll stop in next weekend if anyone is there and get the scoop along with a photo or two .

Gay bales!! Another Texas innovation?

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Originally posted by Frostbit:

Gay bales!! Another Texas innovation? [/QUOTE]

Well…that might have been a typo, but I haven’t visited with the participants yet. Might be an apt description

Eagerly awaiting your race report, Karl!

Given the amount of work done last week I sure thought there would be racing. Also, they must be expecting lots of people as they’ve mowed and marked parking on a good portion of pasture. If I could catch someone out there I would get race info…