On Your Mark

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello listeners, it is time once again for everybody's favorite podcast,
the Lawnmower Versus sports Car Podcast. I cannot thank you
enough for stopping by. Today's episode is gonna be a
fun one. If you've heard any of our previous episodes,
you know that there are some ridiculous lawnmowers out there.

(00:23):
You know there's also some ridiculous sports cars out there. Well,
I'm here to tell you today that sports cars aren't
the only vehicle that you can ride that people have
races in. Because with lawnmowers with hundreds of horse power,

(00:44):
you know, a couple good old boys are gonna have
a race. The r l m r A sure does.
The Riding Lawnmower Racing Association you heard primarily operates in
the United States. The Riding Lawnmower Racing Association was founded

(01:07):
in nineteen ninety two. It took them that long, I'm surprised.
With the goal of organizing lawnmower racing events across the
United States, the RLMR offers structured racing formats and promotes
safe and fair competition. This series includes both national championships

(01:29):
as well as regional races. The association's races are divided
into classes depending on the level of mower modifications and
the type of race. The mowers are typically modified to
include larger engines, reinforced frames, and specialized tires that can

(01:51):
withstand the rigors of racing. However, they must retain the
look and function of a lawnmower in some capacity, such
as keeping the original body shell. Races are held on
various tracks from dirt courses who ask falt ones and
the competitors use safety gear including helmets, gloves and other

(02:16):
protective clothing. The annual rl m r A Championship features
type competition, often drawing racers from around the world. The
races are typically sanctioned under specific rules to insure consistency
and safety, with technical inspections carried out before each event.

(02:39):
And folks, I know what you're thinking. Yes, yes, yes, yes,
this surely is a distinctly American thing. Lawnmower racing. No no,
no no. As long as you have lawnmowers, you can
race them. Mow Erasing UK is one of the largest
and most active lawnmower racing leagues in the world, with

(03:03):
a deeply ingrained culture of competitive motor sport. The sport
in the UK began to gain popular in the early
nineteen seventies and today it boasts a professional structure with
numerous races throughout the year. Events are held to tracks
all over the UK, with competitors ranging from enthusiastic hobbyists

(03:25):
to professional level racers. The races are held in multiple classes,
from standard to heavily modified lawnmowers. Modifications may include the
engine swap, reinforced frames, improved suspension, and high grip racing tires.
The event organizers maintain strict technical rules to ensure fairness

(03:49):
and safety, requiring all lawnmowers to pass rigorous pre race inspections.
The biggest event in the UK is the National Mower
Racing Championship, which brings together top racers for a weekend
of intense racing. Spectators can enjoy not only the races,
but also the activities like pit stops, mower exhibitions, and

(04:13):
the camaraderie of the racing community. The sport is known
for its friendly and family oriented atmosphere. The World Lawnmower
Racing Championship is an iconic event held annually. This championship
has been a staple of the lawnmower racing scene since

(04:33):
nineteen eighties and it is considered the pinnacle of competitive
lawnmower racing worldwide. Competitors travel from countries like the US, Australia,
and Canada to take part in this prestigious event. It
is held on a dedicated, custom built racing circuit. The

(04:55):
event takes place over several days and features a series
of races with various classes based on mower modifications. Some
classes are designed for more stock, original style mowers, while
others are for highly customized, high performance machines that can
reach speeds of up to seventy miles per hour. The

(05:15):
World Championship event is a major draw for motorsport fans
who are eager to see the ingenuity and creativity of
mower modifications in action. In addition to races, the Championship
often includes activities like pit stops, a display of mower technology,
and even a mower parade where fans can get up

(05:38):
close to the vehicles. The atmosphere is a mix of
serious competition and good natured fun, with racers and spectators
bonding over their shared love for this quirky form of
motor sport. And back to the US with the Great
Lawn Mower Race held in several states across the US.

(06:00):
The Great Lawnmower Race is an informal, yet exciting competition
that has become a popular annual event in various local communities.
The event typically coincides with a charity fundraiser or festival,
making it a combination of entertainment and philanthropy. Racers participate

(06:20):
in modified lawnmowers, which are often custom built by the
participants themselves. These events are typically not as heavily regulated
as other professional leagues, but are nonetheless a blast to watch.
Many of the races take place in local parks or
dirt tracks, often involving jumps, sharp turns, and obstacle courses.

(06:45):
This challenges both the skills of the drivers and the
durability of the lawnmowers. The Great Races not only for
serious racers, but also includes recreational categories where anyone can
join and race a lawnmower. It's a fun, family friendly
event that attracts people from all walks of life and

(07:05):
has a lighthearted, humorous atmosphere. The most popular feature is
the Mower's Parade, where modified mowers are proudly displayed. This
event is typically tied to a local cause, and entry fees,
along with donations from spectators, often go towards charity organizations
or other local community projects. Next We're going down Under.

(07:33):
Australia has a Lawnmower Grand Prix. The Lawnmower Grand Prix
in Australia is one of the largest and most exciting
lawnmower races in the Southern Hemisphere. Organized by the Lawnmower
Racing Association of Australia the l m ruble A, the

(07:53):
event draws competitors from across the nation and even international racers.
The event features both serious professional racers and weakend enthusiasts.
Mowers in this competition are heavily modified with the primary
goal of increasing speed and durability without losing the fundamental

(08:15):
appearance of a lawnmower. Modifications include more powerful engines, reinforced
body frames, and custom tires designed to handle high speed
turns and various racing conditions. Races take place on both
asphalt and dirt tracks, with some events incorporating obstacles or
solom like challenges. The Grand Prix typically spends several days,

(08:39):
with different categories for various skill levels and mower types.
One of the unique aspects of the event is the
social and community aspect, as it often includes a carnival
like atmosphere complete with food stalls and entertainment live music.
It's a fun celebration of lawnmower racing, drawing in both

(09:00):
casual fans and dedicated motorsport enthusiasts. The International Lawnmower Racing
Championships in Canada. That's right, even Canadians race lawnmowers. I
told you, folks, if you've got a lawnmower, you're gonna
race it. The International Lawnmower Racing Championships is an event

(09:23):
that attracts top racers from around the world to compete
in one of the most unique motorsport competitions. This championship
is considered the highlight of the Canadian lawnmower racing calendar.
The event is typically held in the summer months and
features high speed racing on a purpose built track. Mowers
in this event come in a wide range of styles,

(09:45):
from stock mowers to highly customized machines with souped up
engines and reinforced frames. The races are typically fast paced,
with competitive drivers vying for the coveted championship title. The
international championships focus on safety, sportsmanship, and technical ingenuity. Racers

(10:06):
often form teams, with some spending the entire year working
on their lawnmowers to ensure they are competitive. The event
also has a strong social aspect, with fans and participants
gathering in a carnival like atmosphere to celebrate this quirky
form of motorsport. Events typically span multiple days with qualifying rounds, heats,

(10:29):
and the final championship race. Fans can also enjoy vendor booths, food,
and live music, making it a fun, family friendly weekend. Folks,
that's all the time we have for today's episode of
Lawnmower Versus sports Car. It's been a fun episode. If
you've got a lawnmower, get out there and go race it.

(10:49):
This episode is going to be a second part where
next episode we dive into well, actual sports car racing.
I can't thank enough for listening until next time.