UK Lawn Mower Racing
Yes really!! Every July a bunch of grown adults get together in deepest darkest Sussex (Pulborough) to race through the night against each other on ‘ride-on’ lawnmowers! This 12 hour race is a test of both physical stamina and mechanical know-how. The mowers are hardly a comfortable ride so most riders wear kidney belts to try to stop bruising of internal organs and the race runs from 8pm to 8am. Winning the race can usually be largely attributed to the technical abilities of the team members (most riders become mechanics for half the night). It’s quite an art form to keep these (often ‘veteran’) vehicles going for the whole 12 hours using make-shift parts and brute force.
Rain generally adds to the spectacle with ‘leaky ‘pit’ roofs, and no drainage on the course, which quickly becomes a quagmire.
Mower racing has been described by Motor Sport News as ‘the cheapest form of motorsport in the UK’. The founding philosophy being there is no sponsorship or cash prizes to keep the costs down and the sport accessible to all who want to participate.
Believe it or not this ‘sport’ has been going on for some 25 years in various shapes or forms in the UK. Today the 12 hour even often attracts both TV and press media presence and occasionally celebrity participant. There is even a ‘British Lawnmower Racing Association (or BLMRA) now, who organise quite a number of events throughout the UK in addition to the 12 hour ‘endurance’ race. There are 4 different ‘categories’ of mower with strict rules regarding the minimal racing modifications that are allowed. Perhaps the craziest category is Group 1 (the ‘run behinds’), only for the seriously fit and poor! If you want to know more check out their web site http://www.blmra.co.uk.
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