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Ever since a slightly intoxicated pact was made in
a Sussex pub in 1973, they've been badgering farmers
and anyone with a field big enough for permission
to race their customised contraptions. Lifebyte
tripped down to Dorking Rugby Club for the 'Millennium
2000 Grand Prix Meeting', to get some explanation
as to why lawn mowers are the new stock cars (in
Sussex
and Surrey, at least).
Mick, BLMRA committee member, from Sussex
'There are several categories of racing lawn mowers.
Group one are the run behinds [literally, pushing
the lawn mower rather than sit-down drive];
Group two are the roller-driven mowers, which are
in two pieces and are steered with your hands and
feet while you sit in it, and Group three are the
four-wheeled garden tractors you can ride.
What's the hook? 'I think that the attraction,
for me and for most of the people here, is building
a race-worthy mower at your own pace. If you really
take your time, you could get away with a racing-standard
mower for around £200, although parts can be expensive
and most mowers cost more. But you get what I mean,
it's basically a cheap and enjoyable form of motor
sport.'
Carol Smith, Group-two racer, from Surrey 'I've only been racing since
last year. My partner Steve is well into it and
I get the good part of the deal: he does all the
mechanical work (on his mower and mine) and I do
all the racing. Brilliant!'
Are you the only woman who races these crazy contraptions?
'No, there are three women who race regularly, although
there are only two of us at this meeting. And they're
not crazy, they're cool!'
Andy Stemp, Group three racer, from West Sussex (Group three British Champ
1988-1998) 'I've been racing these machines
for 17 years and in that time I've only had three
different mowers. So once you've broken your mower
in, which takes about a season, they should last
you a good few years. Give or take the odd minor
repair.
' What's it like driving one of these? ' Well,
you're really low down, sometimes going up to 50mph,
so exhilarating is probably the best way to describe
it. Having said that, it can be painful, as we usually
race on farmers' fields, which are bloody bumpy,
so bruises and back and kidney pains are usually
the result. The track here, however, is the smoothest
we're likely to race on.'
Colin Clegg, Group three racer, from Sussex
When are the championship races? 'The first
race in each group at every meeting goes towards
the championship. You get points the way you do
in Formula One, ten for a win, six for second, etc,
and there are about 12 meetings every year. Most
of the courses are a lot muddier than this one,
although I think the last time they used Dorking
was about ten years ago.'
Where are you in the championship at the moment?
'I think I'm in the top three but it really is the
taking part that counts!' Click
here for Colin's very own website
- Daniel Crimes - 22.08-00 |
