The Need For Speed: Unveiling Texas’s Thrilling Lawnmower Racing Culture
Texas is home to many odd festivals, world records, and sports. The Lone Star State has a unique knack for taking anything and making it a full-blown party. It's one of the things that makes us so much cooler than most of the other states. One of the crown jewels of unique Lone Star Sports is our lawnmower racing. Yes, it's real; and it's awesome.
Lawnmower Racing In The Lone Star State
Lawnmower racing is a legit sport in Texas, and before you giggle or roll your eyes, you should know that it's actually pretty awesome. These aren't just random mowers that were driven off of someone's lawn right after giving it an ear lift. These lawnmowers are souped-up and ready to rip up the track.
Supposedly, these lawnmowers can reach speeds of up to 50 MPH. There are eight different classes of mowers and a laundry list of requirements the mowers must meet before they are race-ready. There is even a national governing body for lawnmower racing. This might be the coolest sport I've never heard of.
The Long History Of Racing Lawnmowers
What's even more fascinating is that the sport of racing lawnmowers has existed since the 1960s. It's believed that the first documented official lawnmower race happened in Great Britain in 1968. It was the "Lawn Mower Grand Prix". It was originally formed as a charity fundraiser, and now it's a very real sport complete with governing bodies and rankings.
Now, lawnmower racing has spread across the world and is in several states in the US. One of the reasons why it's so popular is that it's one of the most affordable forms of racing to get into. It's also a little more recreational than other forms of racing, even though there are rankings. It's open to anyone who wants to race, and they have divisions for kids as young as 6.
I'm looking forward to keeping an eye out for the next time we have lawnmower racing nearby so I can watch. If I can get my hands on a mower in time, I might be tempted to suit up and ride.
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Gallery Credit: Renee Raven