Tractors Our World: Racers, start your lawnmowers

frank

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Using the lawnmower has never been so much fun.

An unpaved access road trails off to the right side of the parking lot at Victory Christian Church in Fort Myers, and past a wall of bushes. Behind the bushes, it opens up to a full size dirt track. Pick up trucks and SUVs line the roped off pit area, just beyond the clay track. Patrons gather in the flatbeds of their trucks or in folding chairs to watch the riding lawnmower action.

Sean Kennedy, the president of the nonprofit Grasscar Lawnmower Racing Club in Fort Myers, said this club broke off from the LaBelle racing club five years ago. The all volunteer group holds races nearly once a month, except in July and August.

What attracts people to lawnmower racing are the same reasons people like to race other vehicles, minus the cost. "I can race for the whole year in a lawnmower for the price I could race for in one week in a car," Kennedy said.

Kennedy, who is also a participant in the races, said the whole event is not only easier on the wallet for drivers, but it's enjoyable for the whole family. The drivers range in age from 10 years old to 80 years old, and similarly the lawnmowers can travel anywhere from 6 mph to 45 mph, depending on the engine. Of course, the blades of the lawnmowers are all removed, as the clay track has little to no grass needing to be trimmed.

Kennedy also said that while it's competitive on the track, the drivers are like one big family. There are no secrets to what anyone has under the hood, and anyone will help troubleshoot another's mower when a fix is needed.

More at http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/apr/23/our-world-racers-start-your-lawnmowers/
 
 
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