| Mower racing is a very addicting sport. The | | | | driving skills and are important for your safety and |
| excitement that you will feel prior to racing is the | | | | for the safety of others. |
| same as the excitement that you will feel when you | | | | Are you a naturally born mower racer? Again, if you |
| are racing cars or motorcycles. It’s amazing! | | | | imagine yourself racing while mowing your lawn at |
| That’s probably one reason why people want to | | | | 5mph, then you are into mower racing and you are |
| know how to make a racing lawnmower. | | | | interested in it. |
| If you’ve ever imagined yourself being in a race | | | | There’s one more thing that you need to know |
| while mowing your lawn, then you are definitely into | | | | before you go out to make a racing lawnmower, and |
| mower racing. The land speed record for racing | | | | that is the different mower racing divisions/classes. |
| mowers is more than 80mph. Imagine mowing your | | | | You will have to determine which class you want to |
| lawn at even half that speed; you would be done in a | | | | be part of first before modifying your mower. |
| flash. | | | | Different classes have different modification mower |
| When I first got introduced to this sport, I was | | | | rules. Sanctioning bodies are very strict on this, so it |
| completely amazed! Not by the drivers but by the | | | | is best to do your research to avoid having to redo |
| mowers. If I didn’t see a race, I couldn’t | | | | or repay for parts and modifications. |
| have imagined my mower drifting on the tracks. I got | | | | If you are new to mower racing, you might want to |
| hooked the very first time I watched a mower | | | | join stock races first just to get the hang of it, and |
| racing, and I’m confident you will too. | | | | then work your way up to the advanced classes. |
| Now you may be asking yourself how to make a | | | | To make a racing lawnmower that will withstand the |
| racing lawnmower. And, wondering if that old JD in | | | | punishment or a full race consider the following at a |
| the garage would work. It really is easy. I don | | | | minimum: |
| encourage you to keep these things in mind before | | | | Chassis: Make it rigid enough to withstand mower |
| you buy, or start tinkering with your old mower. | | | | racing conditions. Racing terrains become especially |
| The make and age of your mower is an important | | | | tough at the end of lap races when the track is |
| factor. If your mower is as old as you, you might | | | | more rutted. |
| have difficulty looking for spare parts. Same is true if | | | | Weight: Just like race cars; the lighter it is, the faster |
| you have a unique brand of mower. The preferred | | | | it goes. Remove as many parts as you can to get |
| engines of mower racers are Briggs and Stratton and | | | | pounds off your mower. |
| Tecumseh. But some like Hondas too. | | | | Steering: Factory class mowers are not designed for |
| Spare parts are vital in order to make a racing | | | | racing and their steering can only handle tight turns at |
| lawnmower as well as maintain one. And since the | | | | 5mph. Modifying the caster settings, steering rods |
| machine get a little banged up on the track, | | | | fit, and gear driven steering system will keep you out |
| replacement parts will be critical once you start | | | | of the hay bales. |
| mower racing. | | | | These are the just the basics in order to make a |
| Your driving skills and interest in the sport are also an | | | | racing lawnmower fit for the track. There are lots of |
| important factor. Do you get nervous when other | | | | modifications and tricks that you can do to make |
| cars pass you by? Do you feel uncomfortable at high | | | | your mower faster and easier to handle, but for |
| speeds? Can you park? These questions assess your | | | | now, go get some mower racing experience first. |