Archive for September, 2011

On September 2, the day before the 2011 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals, USLMRA visited Fox TV 28, WTTE in Columbus, Ohio to present a racing exhibition featuring Natalie Taylor, Amy Lutz and Walter Allen.  Lawn mower racers Bud Elmore, Matt Strine, Bobby Cleveland and Tony from Knox County served as race coaches while USLMRA President Bruce Kaufman oversaw the festivities.

Disclaimer:  No bushes, grass or flowers were injured when Fox 28 TV personality Walter Allen steered his mower into the shrubbery.

The LiquiVac™ Oil Change System has signed on as a Promotional Partner of the Sam Rogers U.S. All American Open, November 4-6 in Stevenson, Alabama.  The “Sam Rogers All American” will bring together lawn mower racers from across the country to honor the late Sam Rogers, a fellow lawn mower racer who recently passed away.

50 LiquiVac™ Oil Change Systems will be given to racers at the Sam Rogers All American.

The LiquiVac™ Oil Change System looks like a little blue Dachshund, but it takes a big bite out of a homeowner’s fall lawn mower maintenance with an innovative process that only takes seconds to suck oil out of lawn mowers for a quick, clean and eco-friendly oil change. Most lawn mower manufacturers recommend an oil change every 25-50 hours for peak performance and to reduce engine wear, so LiquiVac™ can help extend engine life, and used along with STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer in the fall, prepares outdoor power equipment for proper storage between seasons.

“Lawn mower racers, like NASCAR® pit crews, know that good oil drives good performance, and the LiquiVac™ Oil Change System is the easiest way to keep oil clean in small power equipment,” said Bruce Kaufman, “Mr. Mow It All,” President of the USLMRA, the nation’s oldest and largest national racing mower sanctioning body, celebrating its’ 20th Anniversary in 2012.  “LiquiVac™ lets lawn mower racers change their engine oil fast to keep their edge.  It’s also a perfect, quick way for smart homeowners to do inexpensive power equipment maintenance, especially in this economy.”

“Most homeowners run lawn mowers hard for months in dusty conditions, which can lead to dirty, grimy oil and ultimately cause engine breakdowns, especially if you let dirty oil sit in your machine during storage. The LiquiVac™ Oil Change System effortlessly takes the mess out of fall lawn mower maintenance,” said Barry Kearns, president of Air Power America, maker of LiquiVac™.  “LiquiVac™ creates a powerful vacuum that cleanly pumps your engine oil into a durable holding tank through a hose inserted in the engine’s dipstick tube.  It only takes a few seconds.”

LiquiVac™ works on any push mower or riding mower including Briggs & Stratton, Toro, Snapper, Snapper, Troy-Bilt, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, Bolens, Honda, Kubota, Ariens, Tecumseh and Craftsman, as well as for garden tractors, tillers, generators, snow throwers, ATVs and outboard motors.  There are two LiquiVac™ Oil Change System models: a small model (3 quarts capacity) and large model (8 quarts). It’s sold at Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, Do-It-Best, Northern Tool and Grainger stores. The LiquiVac™ website at www.liquivac.com provides how-to demonstration videos.

It has been called to our attention that there was a discrepancy in the 2011 AP Class Points Tabulation, whereby Wally Bender is the 2011 US AP Points Champion, rather than Matthew Moran. Both Wally and Matt each finished the season with 2600 points.  After spending several hours going back over race results and reviewing and checking results via our Tie Breaker System, we have determined that Wally is indeed the 2011 AP Points Champion.  The error was caused by the automated points tabulation system of our database, of which we were not able to manually override.  We did not give proper credit to Wally for a previous race during the 2011 season and this error was reflected in the way the final Points Places were determined, thereby declaring Matthew Moran as AP Points Champion.  Please be assured we are taking the proper steps to avoid this situation in the future.

Therefore, and with the approval and blessing of both Wally and Matt, we are declaring them 2011 USLMRA AP Class Co-Champions.  I do not feel right about having Matt relinquish the accolades and glory he enjoyed being crowned AP Champion – nor does Wally.  As a testament to the fine gentlemen that is Wally Bender – your 2011 Driver of the Year and Dubba G Everyman Award Winner – Wally was happy enough with the initial decision based on the wonderful season he has had and praised Matt for his fine season.  However, I feel that recognizing both gentlemen for their fine season is the right thing to do, and am declaring them Co-Champions.  I apologize for this error and any inconvenience it may have caused, especially to Matt and Wally.  Our racing community can be proud of all of our US Points Champions.

2011 AP Class Champions

1. CO-CHAMPIONS: Matthew Moran & Wally Bender, 2600
3. Pat Sullivan, 2550
4. Pete Sullivan, 2450
5. Tony Thompson, 2450
6. Lee Grover, 2350
7. Tommy Hawley, 2300
8. Mark Moran, Jr. 2050
9. Freddy Burt, 1950
10. Vickie Nahas, 1700

Can you feel the HEAT? Can you taste the SHRIMP? Can you smell the GAS? Can you feel the ANTICIPATION? Can you breathe the HUMIDITY? Can you inhale the DUST? Can you feel your face break out in SMILE? Can you see the RAIN? Can you hear the ROAR? Can you revel in the GLORY? Can you LAUGH? Can you CRY? You can? You did? Yeah, me too! And so it was at the 20th Annual STA-BIL Nationals Weekend in Delaware, MOWhio. Man, what a weekend.

As our extended family of lawn mower racers gathered for our annual End of Summer ritual, Mother Nature decided to throw us some curve balls, including two of the hottest days in the Buckeye State this year along with a dose of rain that would make Oregon proud.

But we were up to the challenge, and with some schedule shifting and racers willing to brave the Saturday heat, we made it happen.

The STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals on Saturday night saw some of the best lawn mower racing action this side of the Atlantic; the food and camaraderie were unsurpassed; the Hall of Fame Ceremonies were as always, moving and emotional; and our annual Awards Banquet was the perfect capper to the weekend.

With 115 mowers on site, it was one of our best-attended Nationals in recent years. As always, our national race staff ensured a quality event for all our racers: Kerry Evans, Manny Torres, Rodney Peeler, Richard Webb, Chrissy Webb, Bobbie Peeler, Barry “B-Man” Sullivan, Lou Filos, Wally Bender, Bud Elmore, Lee Vine, Sarah from Maryland have my personal thanks for stepping up and kicking grass.

Our venue host, the Delaware Agricultural Society was as laws an accommodating and enthusiastic host, with Tim Wood, Larry Moreland, Al Myers and Matt Strine making sure we were well taken care of.

Our sponsors stepped up as well, with Blitz USA providing EZ Lift Rider Ramps and Hand-E Haulers for every racer along with K&N Filters who provided gift certificates and financial support.

And of course, Gold Eagle Co., makers of STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer, who has been absolutely wonderful in their support, nurturing and oversight of the USLMRA since 1992 – 20 YEARS!!!!

The following is from Marc Blackman, President / CEO Gold Eagle Co. and USLMRA Board Chairman:

On behalf of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association, Gold Eagle Company, and the Delaware Agricultural Society, thank you for attending the 20th annual STA-BIL Nationals Weekend. It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago we were busy planning for the first STA-BIL Nationals, and yet here we are, kicking grass and while mowing and growing every year. Our 2011 STA-BIL Nationals Weekend will again bring together racers from across America and Canada for three days of racing, camaraderie and fun. The USLMRA has been working hard all year to plan an event that will bring you safe, fun and enjoyable competition while opening our build rules so that racers from various sanctioning bodies and independent groups can be here. We have a truly great weekend of racing and socializing in store for you. Gold Eagle Company remains committed to the USLMRA and the sport of lawn mower racing. Plans are already underway for our 20th Anniversary Year in 2012 so stay tuned!

As is tradition, Gold Eagle Co. STA-BIL and the USLMRA are proud to provide some special gifts for racers at the STA-BIL Nationals.

• A Personalized Racing Action Photo.
• A Commemorative Coffee Mug.
• A DVD copy of our Fox Sports Net TV shows (to be sent later this Fall).

Some of my favorite memories from the weekend, in no particular order include: helping Tina Paccione gather up the pit of George G. Feldman IV before the rain came; the tears in Jackie Andrews’ eyes as she accepted the 2011 Dave Hertel Mowtivaiton Award; meeting Sammie and Marion Neel and Scott and Michelle Bittle from Texas; watching Lee Grover race in the AP Finals; watching Ron Rollman race in the BP Finals; grooving on John Nelson’s “Mow Longer” and the CCCCCP Class; taking photos of John Michael “Shorty” Bell and his dad Mike in the TV winners circle after Finals; shrimp and Conecuh sausage (YUM!); the expression on George Herrin’s face as he spoke of the racer that his son Jake has become; seeing Art Neavill and John Nelson indicted into the Hall of Fame; remembering Charles Powell; receiving a new watch from Jim Maurice; being in the presence of Rocket Man Pat Sullivan; the pure joy in Jason Brown’s face after wining both the SP and BP Finals; being around Wally Bender and seeing him redefine the word Gentleman on an ongoing basis.

And these memories just scratch the surface of the 2011 STA-BIL Nationals Weekend.

2012 is our 20th Anniversary Season, so look out HERE WE MOW!

Junior Prepared – JP

1. John Michael Bell, 3000
2. Wyatt Sullivan, 2800
3. Hayden Martin, 2650
4. Jordan Brown, 2650
5. Lauren Filos, 2600
6. Mariah Peeler, 2500
7. Jacob Herrin, 2400
8. Jonathan Barber, 1550
9. Kelsey VanEpps, 1050
10. Mateo Palacios, 800

IMOW

1. Pat Sullivan, 3000
2. Wally Bender, 2950
3. Chris VanMaastricht, 2900
4. Dawn Filos, 2600
5. James Keech, 2450
6. Tina Paccione, 2400
7. John Brewer,2350
8. Art Neavill, 2200
9. Pat Gore, 2200
10. Tommy Hawley, 2200

AP

1. Matthew Moran, 2600
2. Wally Bender, 2600
3. Pat Sullivan, 2550
4. Pete Sullivan, 2540
5. Tony Thompson, 2450
6. Lee Grover, 2350
7. Tommy Hawley, 2300
8. Mark Moran, Jr. 2050
9. Freddy Burt, 1950
10. Vickie Nahas, 1700

SP

1. Jason Brown, 3000
2. Wally Bender, 2900
3. Michael Paccione, 2750
4. Richard Webb, 2700
5. Jackie Andrews, 2650
6. Matthew Strine, 2450
7. Larry Benning, 2350
8. Dawn Filos, 2250
9. Pat Gore, 2150
10. David Martin, 1900

CP

1. Pete Sullivan, 2950
2. Michael Paccione, 2850
3. Tom Hawley, 2700
4. Lee Grover, 2600
5. William Campbell, 2500
6. Kevin Ferguson, 2350
7. Tommy Hawley, 2300
8. Jacob Blackburn, 2300
9. Robert Ginn, 2150
10. Jon Lewman, 2050

BP

1. Ronald Rolman, 2950
2. Jason Brown, 2850
3. Jayson Mikula, 2700
4. James Mikula, 2700
5. Chuck Miller, 2600
6. Jamie Maurice, 2450
7. Larry Benning, 2300
8. David Martin, 2150
9. Bob Cleveland, 2100
10. George Herrin, 2000

FX

1. Greg Honchell, 2900
2. Christopher Cox 2850
3. Mark Moran, Sr. 2700
4. Manuel Torres, 2650
5. Kevin Penne, 2650
6. Wally Bender, 2350
7. Kenneth Holder, 2150
8. Tony Hinson, 1950
9. Mike Miller, 1700
10. James Klauss, 1500