Lawnmower Racing
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From: LAT 46.55501° & LON -122
Lawnmower Racing
Our shop has participated in the NLMRA since 1996 here at Morton, WA. It is part of the Morton Logger's Jubilee that takes place every second weekend in August, and is by far the most popular event. Last year we did not participate due to tranny failure from the year before. Instead of fixing the tranny again, (for about the fourth time) we had planned on building a new mower, but never got around to it.
There are several rules here at Morton to help make the event safer and give everyone a fair chance to win. Basically the only legal mechanical modifications are removal of the governor and changing the gears/pulleys. Stock frame, tires, wheels,and tranny must be used and they can be modified, but the engine must be entirely stock (light boring permitted) and limited to 8hp. Exhaust can be modified, but the carb must be stock mower type. Most people break the engine rule in one way or another, but since you must use their supplied low-octane pump gas, attempts at heavy modifications will not see big gains in power output.
Our mower is unique compared to the 80+ others at the race. Since our business is hydraulic repair, it was only fitting that our tranny be hydrostatic. As long as something inside it don't brake due to the stress of racing, it has many advantages. No shifting gears, no brakes needed, and instant reverse without having to stop or grind-to-find. We don't have the top speed of some of the others; we often get passed toward the end of the straight, but we get our revenge in the s-curves where we can back-off on the tranny while holding the engine in a good power-band for instant power-bursts. While they are lugging and trying to find a lower gear in the curves, we find an opening and take them like they were standing still (sometimes, they are).
Winning is about 10% machine, 20% driver skill, and the remaining is simple luck. Since the audience is so close to the activity, mower racing is very fun and exciting to watch even if you are not a participant.
Here is a pic of our now-crippled mower and the trophys we won with it over the years.
There are several rules here at Morton to help make the event safer and give everyone a fair chance to win. Basically the only legal mechanical modifications are removal of the governor and changing the gears/pulleys. Stock frame, tires, wheels,and tranny must be used and they can be modified, but the engine must be entirely stock (light boring permitted) and limited to 8hp. Exhaust can be modified, but the carb must be stock mower type. Most people break the engine rule in one way or another, but since you must use their supplied low-octane pump gas, attempts at heavy modifications will not see big gains in power output.
Our mower is unique compared to the 80+ others at the race. Since our business is hydraulic repair, it was only fitting that our tranny be hydrostatic. As long as something inside it don't brake due to the stress of racing, it has many advantages. No shifting gears, no brakes needed, and instant reverse without having to stop or grind-to-find. We don't have the top speed of some of the others; we often get passed toward the end of the straight, but we get our revenge in the s-curves where we can back-off on the tranny while holding the engine in a good power-band for instant power-bursts. While they are lugging and trying to find a lower gear in the curves, we find an opening and take them like they were standing still (sometimes, they are).
Winning is about 10% machine, 20% driver skill, and the remaining is simple luck. Since the audience is so close to the activity, mower racing is very fun and exciting to watch even if you are not a participant.
Here is a pic of our now-crippled mower and the trophys we won with it over the years.
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