1973 saw the start of a craze which no-one at that time would ever have imagined would become as successful as it is now. Indeed, it is a sport that is continuing to grow across the planet, with international races regularly taking place in the US, Australia, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, Holland and more. What is this sport? I hear you cry…
Well it’s Lawn Mower Racing and I suppose you want to know how it all started. A group of guys having a beer or two (or three) in the Cricketers Arms, a little country pub in a quiet village in West Sussex, England, were discussing the ever-increasing costs of motor sport and in particular, getting started on the road to being the next Stirling Moss. The discussion turned to find an affordable form of motor sport that anyone could afford to compete effectively in. Combined Harvesters were suggested, but due to the size, cost and availability of these machines, this idea was scrapped. Lawn Mowers were suggested and everyone must have agreed, otherwise we wouldn’t be racing now! A poster was placed in the Cricketers Arms and the inaugural British Grand Prix for Lawn Mowers was under way. The rest as they say, is history…
1982 saw the birth of the North West Lawn Mower Racing Association based in Astley near Manchester. The two clubs run similar rules and regulations and often have members racing in meetings organised by either association, especially the BLMRA 12-Hour and the NWLMRA 6-Hour endurance events.