Over 60 of the best lawn mower racers are making their way to Griffith over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
According to Di Millsteed, president of the Australian Ride On Lawn Mower Racing Association, it will provide a spectacle which is both unique and exciting as the mowers which have been heavily modified reach speeds in excess of 100km per hour.
“We have mowers coming from all over the country,” she said.
“It will be two full days of action packed mower racing and the person who win on the day will walk away as Australia's number one.”
While the competition started around eight years ago, it was put on the back burner for a couple of years but is now ramping back up.
“It started in Dubbo in 2009, but due to the sheer mass of organisation, it was just a little bit hard to get it back off the ground so it sort of went off the radar for a couple of years,” she said.
“The guys up in Yamba and they have run with it two years in a row I think and we put our hand up this year to host.
“I think that started the ball rolling again because we already have other clubs saying they want to host it next year, so it is fantastic for out sport.”
Millstead has been involved in the mower racing for around 12 years now after she was introduced to it by friends and said it was the comradery which kept her involved.
“There is none of this well I'm not going to help you because I really want to win,” she said
“It is no I want to help you because I still want to compete against you lets all get out there and have a blast.”
Millstead said this is probably the most affordable way to get into motorsport when compared to the other pathways such as speedway and go-karts and has encouraged anyone with interest to seriously consider it.
“You could easily get into the sport for around about $1500 if you were mechanically minded even do it for less,” she said.
“When you compare the cost of things like speedway and go-karts it is really affordable.
“Our yearly membership is only $70 which is nothing compared to a lot of other clubs.”
The event will be held at the Pines Speedway and Millstead wanted to thank the guys for their hard work in preparation for the event.
“They have put a huge amount of effort into preparing and grooming the track and setting it all up,” she said.
“They have just been tremendous.”
Gates will open for the 2017 All Australian Championship at 10am on the June 10 with entry costing $5.
Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
