| Lawnmower racing is a sport that is gaining popularity | | | | should also lower your racing mower to make it faster |
| among men, women, and even children. This addicting | | | | and easier to handle, especially on tight turns. |
| motor sport delivers the same adrenaline pumping | | | | The steering will also need attention as they are only |
| excitement, as the usual car or motorcycle race does, | | | | designed to handle blinding 5mph turns. You will |
| but is less dangerous. A racing mower is also far less | | | | consistently end up in hay bales if you do not upgrade |
| expensive than race cars or motocross bikes. | | | | your mower steering. |
| It all started in Wisborough Green, West Sussex, | | | | Belts and pulleys should also be upgraded to make |
| England in 1973, when folks from the town started | | | | your mower faster. Make the front pulley larger than |
| looking for less expensive alternatives to their | | | | the rear pulley; this will make your racing mower go |
| traditional motor. They wanted a motor sport that | | | | faster. That’s one lawnmower racing trick for you. |
| everybody can participate too; and thus lawnmower | | | | There are many things that you can do to your |
| racing was born. | | | | mower to make it fit for racing. Keep in mind that |
| Since then, the sport has gained and is still gaining | | | | lawnmowers are not made for racing so there will be |
| followers from all over Great Britain the U.S., Australia | | | | loose and un-strengthened parts that you need to |
| and Canada. I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes | | | | secure or remove altogether to make it safe for you |
| a worldwide phenomenon soon. | | | | and the audience. |
| In Australia, lawnmower racing was introduced by 5 | | | | Safety is paramount in lawnmower racing. As with |
| men who thought of racing their mowers up a hill, | | | | any other motor sport you can get badly injured. |
| round a tree, and then let gravity take over on their | | | | Personal protective equipment necessary for |
| way down to the finish line. A man named Roger | | | | participate participation in any lawnmower racing event |
| emerged as the winner and it was witnesses by 50 | | | | includes: helmet, chest and shoulder pads, knee pads, |
| people from around town. | | | | elbow pads, boots and gloves. Head and neck |
| Now you may be wondering how you can turn your | | | | restraints are also being required by some sanctioning |
| family mower into a racing mower. It really is easy and | | | | bodies. |
| you won’t need expensive equipment. However, | | | | As far as expenses are involved, you can set up a |
| you may have to make some parts yourself as | | | | decent racer for as low $300, even less if you choose |
| modified lawnmower parts are not available in all | | | | to modify your existing lawnmower. For those who |
| areas. | | | | have extra cash, $5,000 will get you a top-of-the-line |
| The first thing that you need to do is to remove the | | | | experimental racer that goes from 0-60mph in 3.6 |
| blades, you can’t participate in lawnmower racing if | | | | seconds. Maybe not that quickly, but it can reach |
| your mower still has blades attached. And since | | | | 60mph. |
| races are frequently on dirt tracks, I don’t think you | | | | Lawnmower racing is indeed a motor sport for |
| could even convince the judges mowing the course. | | | | everybody. It won’t be long before we see regular |
| The chassis needs to be reinforced so it can | | | | races on national television and international competition |
| withstand the brutality of the track. Stock mowers are | | | | held in different parts of the world. |
| not designed to handle rough racing terrains. You | | | | |