Lawn Mower Racing: Wait – We Can Explain…

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The History Of Mower Racing, Cut Short

Lawn mower racing is a fairly young sport. I had its beginning in the early 1970s in West Sussex, England, United Kingdom by man named Jim Gavin. He and a few friends were rather dismayed at all the pomp and circumstance that surrounded actual races – the sponsorships and all the expenses associated with racing cars. It was them that the British Lawn Mower Racing Association was born. The idea was to have a cheap, fun sport. Lawn mowers are generally owned at every house, so there was great potential to have more people involved. In fact, about 80 people showed up for event not long after.

Mower racing does have a pre-organizational start, however, when the Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club held a lawn mower racing event to raise funds.

In the United States, in the town of Twelve Mile, Indiana, the tradition of racing lawn mower had been held since 1963. Every year on the fourth of July they would hold a race called the Twelve Mile 500, and still exists to this day. It was actually introduced to the United States by the makers of Sta-bil after having seen a meet.

There has since been no one to stop the growth of this sport, including its growing number of organizations.

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Grass – You Don’t Really Need It

Some safety attire and a mower is all that will fill your to-get list. Of course it is a little deeper than that. Depending on the organization of which you are a part, the rules and regulations will vary marginally. Generally, you will need long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a bike/motocross helmet, gloves, and appropriate shoes. As for your race horse (read: lawn mower) you will need to make mods, unless you plan on losing to other racers by no less than 20mph. Some mowers are modified to go well passed 50mph. Of course with said caliber speeds, there needs to be other precautions taken, such as brakes, steering, and an auto-shutoff mechanism or switch in the not-so-rare event you are hurled from your buggy. Mowers that have been built specifically for racing are not generally accepted. It should be a store bought mower with the intent to be sold as a tool for cutting grass. Further regulations, rules, and safety concerns can be found with the organization of which you choose to be a part.

How Is Lawn Mower Racing A Thing?

There are not too many homes you will find without a lawn mower – they are easily and readily available. They are not that expensive, either. Mowers are relatively cheap to mod for racing. Being part of a racing association or organization is kind on the pockets as well. Also, children as young as age 7 are allowed in some races/rides. It can literally be a family affair. I mean, what dad doesn’t want to go out racing with his boy? What kid wouldn’t want to go racing? Another thing that makes it quite appealing is the atmosphere. This is not what you would call a professional sport, therefore, there is not a serious competitive air (of course you will get that one guy who wants to fight – butthat guy is literally everywhere!). The idea is good, clean, relatively cheap fun for everyone. Of course there is some competition. There are trophies, and national recognitions and points that are kept per race (depending on your organization). Take a shop around and see where the grass is greener!

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The Reel Deal On Safety

Of course, when you consider the fact that you are taking a motorized gardening tool and adding a transmission, some breaks, and steering so that you can race others at up to 90mph, you may just wonder if this is at all safe. It is just as safe as anything else. Honestly, it is probably less safe driving your car on the freeway than it is driving a lawn mower through the mud.

There are plenty of regulations that are to be followed, and when followed, it results in the most fun (least danger). Only certain types of mower are allowed in for racing: many, if not all, races are open to only self-propelled rotary or reel type lawn mowers. Brakes must be operable on at least two of the wheels. There are also parts that are made specifically for mowers, to ensure the safest operation during racing. Lawn mowers also come in classes based on how heavily modified the vehicle is. Therefore, you will not find yourself being mowed over at 80mph because yours can only go 35. And even if that did happen, be happy that the mowing blades must be removed, regardless of where or with whom you race.

There is the whole issue of falling off of the lawn mower. It is actually not uncommon. This is why it is regulated to wear pants, long-sleeved shirts, protective shoes, gloves, and an authorized helmet. It’s just like riding a bike… A really fast bike… with four wheels… a little close to the ground. Some associations will require that the lawn mower have a tether to keep you on the vehicle, which also comes with its own regulations and rules.

Other little things, such as kill switches (to turn off the machine) are also a necessary. While there obviously exists safer activities in which to engage, there are definitely way many more dangerous ones.

“Let’s Mow!”

The United States Lawn Mower Racing Association (henceforth will be called the USLMRA) is self-proclaimed to be the largest and oldest National Mower Racing Sanctioning Body. They hold races all over the country, either directly, or through their affiliated clubs. Annually there are more or less 150 races sanctioned by the USLMRA nationally. A good race is right around the corner from almost everyone. Take a look on their site soon to see the 2017 schedule. There, you will also find their official rules, interactive maps, and their “Lawnstars.”

There are other associations as well. See for yourself!

by Angelique Harris

Angelique’s Etsy Store: JaenaLaShae.etsy.com

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Karting: Motorsport For The Masses

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ntroduction

Karting is best described as an open-wheel sport that involves karts. Depending on the nature of the design, the vehicles can either be karts, go-karts and shifters. Given the chosen vehicle, the sport involves racing on circuits that have been scaled down. The understanding is that karting creates the foundation for developing into much more competitive and larger sports. When placed in the context of the public, the karts are often limited to 16mph. Such a safe speeds are intended to better protect the public from the risk of injury in the event of a collision.

History

Karting has its history located in Southern California. It was started in the year 1956. It is widely acknowledged that Art Ingles came up with the original idea of karting. Upon its inception, karting gained the favor of most people in the region. With time, karting became a national phenomenon.

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The development of karting has been attributed to the actions of both McCulloh and Go Kart Manufacturing. The former designed and built the engines that were used on the karts. While the latter, built the body and the first version of the engines. At first, the karts primarily used chainsaw 2-stroke. However, with time motorcycle engines were later adapted for these vehicles. The beginning of the 1960s ushered in the building of dedicated engines that were especially designed for the karts.

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Components

Chassis

Given the nature of the sport, the karts are built using steel tubing. There are no provisions for incorporating suspensions into the car. Therefore, the steel tubing structure has to be both flexible and strong to ensure that it accommodates the role of suspensions while not being weak enough to give way when making tough corners.

Different kinds of chassis are used for different weather conditions. Chassis used in wet conditions will not work effectively for dry conditions. For wet conditions, a much flexible chassis is often employed in order to ensure that the kart is able to accommodate the effects of wet roads. The ideal situation is when the chassis is able to accommodate the bends and slides. On the other hand, when in dry conditions, a much stiffer chassis is preferred. In such conditions, the driver needs that kart to have a high degree of traction.

The braking system is located in the rear end of the car. However, in some situations, a front mounted system is preferred, which in most cases is the class of shifter karts. In some designs, the shifter class often accommodates two breaking systems, one in the front and the other in the back. In this way, depending on the bias, shifts between the front and back can be implemented.

Engines

With regard to the engine capacities, there is the 4-stroke option and the 2-stroke option. For go-karts, there is the alternative of the 4-stroke engines and the electric motors. On the other hand, racing karts, there is the option of the 4-stroke and the 2 stroke-engine.

Racing categories

International racing

The international championships are KF1, the KF2, KF3, KZ1 and the KZ2. The aforementioned classes are the highest levels of karting.

National racing

Dirt oval classes are the most common classes in the U.S.

Racing licenses

In order to qualify to race for karting, an individual needs to have a license. Depending on the region, either clubs or associations can provide the licenses. There are some situations where an insurance coverage is necessary. However, this is not always the case. Various countries have different requirements for licensing. In some situations, a capability tests is required.

Driver equipment

Driver safety is critical in karting. There are various equipments that are needed are those that have been perceived as enhancing the safety of the drivers. Full-face helmets, driving suits, gloves and boots are required.

Cost

Karting is a low cost undertaking. The only cost-intensive measure has to do with setting up the facilities for competing best exemplified by building the circuit. However, aside from this, the other associated costs are quite low budget. The costs of acquiring a license are quite low. Even when there are additional requirements, the additional costs cannot increase the expenditure associated with the sport.

It is highly likely that the demand for karting will be perpetuated well into the future. Given the current trend, it is highly likely that people will start to appreciate the fun experience that is associated with the sport. The low costs associated with the sporting experience are expected to further motivate additional demand for the sport.

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Autocross: An Exhilarating and Affordable Motorsport

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When the words motor and sports come together, there is this sudden rush of adrenaline that begins surging in the body just like fuel surges inside the engines. Motorsports are usually aggressive in nature and while they require a lot of focus from the driver, the audience on the other hand are viewing the fierce aggression of automobiles as they compete against one another to the finish line. As for Autocross, it is a little more refined with a course which is about a mile long and where emphasis is put on the manner in which the car is being handled and the skills of the driver.

Safety is considered foremost in Autocross and the sport encourages participation of more people. Autocross races are the kind that pack in a lot of activities which is what adds energy to the races. They are inherently slower than other races but the amount of buzz they create is because of the elements which are included in these races.

History

It is difficult to track down a history for Autocross races. They seem to have made their appearance after World War II when the soldiers who returned from the war were trying to look for ways to overcome the dreariness of the war. This made them buy old cars which may have been considered fit for the junkyard and they fixed them up and began racing. They used Autocross events to show off their cars and the ways in which the car can be handled.

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was created in 1944 and it began gaining popularity with local time trials. These races initially had the courses set on public roads but they gradually began taking better form and the races moved to concrete parking lots and abandoned airfields where they could race in a more organized manner. The goal of the sport was the same as it is today which is to race against a competitor in a course to achieve the best possible time.

As Autocross gained fame, the SCCA was able to attract more members and by 1958, the club had around 10,000 members. Today, the SCCA has over 114,000 members and it manages over 300 events every year.

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Equipment

Autocross is seen as an entry level sport. The requirements are pretty basic for the racers and with safety in mind, some of the equipment that are recommended for an Autocross are:

• A helmet to make sure that you drive safely. While certain events may loan helmets to first timers, it is best to carry one of your own. This ensures that you have a helmet that is comfortable for you and one that fits you well.
• A good pair of shoes is the next things that you would like to focus, something that offers a good pedal feel will help you maneuver the car more easily and stay comfortable throughout the event.
• The car numbers are also an important. Every car that participates in an Autocross event must be marked clearly. There are kits that can help you with class letters and magnetic numbers.
• Harness belts are another equipment which are focused on the safety aspect of the race. While the factory seat belts work perfectly well when you are driving home, the harness belts are created for races. They hold you to the seat in a better way and they help you control the car more effectively.
• A tire gauge is another piece of equipment that can prove very helpful because the right amount of tire pressure can help you get a good grip.
• A racing car seat is also a great way to ensure that you are comfortable while driving the car. Racing car seats are designed to ensure that the driver is seated in the best position to have complete control of the car without being uncomfortable.
• Race wheels, especially if they are strong and lightweight can make a notable difference in the race.

Cars and Classification

Every sanctioning body has their own set of rules for the car classes. For most of the races, cars are usually lightly modified or not modified at all. SCCA classing is followed by most of the clubs in America. The SCCA classes vary from Street classes which are lightly modified to the SCCA D and E classes which can be completely modified.

Cost

Autocross events have different prices for entry fees but most of the local events are priced between $25 and $60 for entry. This price differs based on the place where the event is held and the cost of operation of the event. National Autocross events can be priced from $100 to $150 for entry. The cost is lower than many other events because at most of the local events, the participants also help out in organizing the event. This helps them save money and reduce the costs of the event.

Events

You can check the events on the SCCA website which also discusses the tracks and where they are being held. You can register for an event online. Some of the events allow you to be registered at the site of the event. Go through the details carefully and register yourself for the event. Getting help is easy. You can ask the participants for help and they will assist you with registration if you are new. Local events are built on friendly races and you will find most of the racers extremely helpful in most of the events that you attend locally.

Conclusion

Autocross is a race between the drivers and time. Inevitably, the clock ends up winning all the time. It is a sport that promotes camaraderie among the racers who end up gathered together after the event talking about the cone that tipped and the race they almost won. All the fierce competition seen in the race simmers down as racers join in the tales of their wins and losses remembering where they started making memories in one of the most thrilling ways.

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Thrill Girl Lorraine Tully