PORT HADLOCK — Competitors, start your lawn mowers.
More than 30 lawn mowers — ready to race at speeds that may exceed 40 mph — are expected to dash around the Super Stock Lawn Mower Racing Association’s hard-packed gravel track at D Street and Nesses Corner Road at 9 a.m. today.
The free event will begin with hot laps, followed by heat races and then the main races, Jeff Williamson, one of the racing officials, said on the association’s website, www.superstockracers.com.
Many of the competitors raced at the Clallam County Fair in Port Angeles on Saturday.
There, about 20 lawn mowers kicked up their share of dust while zooming around the grandstand arena.
As one might assume, these aren’t your ordinary riding lawn mowers.
They’ve been raised off the ground a bit, given a bit of extra juice, and even personalized.
One racer at the Clallam County Fair outfitted his with what appeared to be a reclining chair.
The most powerful mowers in the racing association have about 28 to 30 horsepower, said Jeff Williams, the group’s vice president.
Most races around the country have mowers with only about 20 horsepower, said the Port Townsend resident.
For the approximately 85 members in the racing group, it’s all about the thrill of zooming around a track and seeing who can build the best mower, Williams said.
“It’s a rush,” he added.
Lloyd Crouse, racing association president, said he started the group about five years ago after seeing a lawn mower race at the Sequim Irrigation Festival.
That year, Crouse, of Chimacum, said he organized a race at Port Hadlock days.
The group started with two riders, and Crouse said he’s not surprised that the sport has taken off.
“I’m 68 years old and I’m just having a ball,” he said.
Racing at fairs was made possible by the group having joined a national organization in 2009.
Spectators will be welcomed at today’s races. After the action, they can visit the pits and take rides on mowers.
A barbecue is planned, with participants bringing food to grill.
The Port Hadlock group has been doing some serious racing this year.
Enthusiasts will remember Port Hadlock racers from the Sequim Irrigation Festival in May.
Members also competed at the Grant County Fair in Moses Lake in April, and in several races in Idaho and Oregon since then.
The Northwest Regional Championships were held in Port Hadlock in July.
