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Lawn Mowers Race at 60 MPH in UK Championship
20 Apr
Summary
- Ride-on mowers reach speeds of 60 mph on circuits.
- The British Championship spans April to October with 11 events.
- The sport was conceived in a pub in 1973 by Irishman Jim Gavin.
The 53rd season of British Lawn Mower racing has begun in Ardingly, West Sussex, providing an alternative motorsport spectacle. Participants compete on ride-on mowers modified to reach speeds of up to 60 mph, with grass-cutting blades removed for safety. This low-tech sport, originating in 1973 from a pub conversation, lacks the prestige of Formula One but offers intense competition.
The British Championship unfolds across 11 events from April to October, featuring different classes from traditional mowers to sophisticated buggy-style contraptions. Races typically consist of 10 to 18 laps, demanding physical stamina from drivers over 12-minute heats. The season's action continues in Dunsfold, Surrey, in May.
