Archive for February, 2012

Turf Titans From across the country set their sites on the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa February 18-19, 2012 for the The STA-BIL Sunshine State Winter Nationals.

Saturday was all about Mother Nature and battling the mud to get the track race-ready. Thanks to a noble effort by the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center staff and our lawn mower racers, the track became race ready by mid afternoon. The crowd was large and enthusiastic and thanks to Doc Kuhfeldt on the microphone and B-Man, Barry Sullivan and Bubba Paul of SSS Entertainment on the sound system, the crowd stayed engaged and stuck around the entire afternoon.

Saturday also saw the debut of several new USLMRA National Racing Classes: GP, GP/K, FX/Single and FX/Twin. The racing, although muddy, was completed with a minimum amount of yellow flags as racers enjoyed improving track conditions as the day progressed.

Sunday saw an 11:00 am start time with the track in good shape, even turning to blue groove in some spots. Another good crowd was on hand and although rain clouds threatened, the day was dry throughout the racing program.

A special “Thank You” to Jim Coones of the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, our event host, Kerry Evans, Manny Torres, Richard Webb, Jason Brown, Chrissy Webb, Julie VanEpps, Glenn VanEpps, Charles Butcher, Doc Kuhfeldt, B-Man and Bubba, Art Neavill and Kenny Holder “Dr. Mow” without whom this weekend could not have happened.

Click here for race results and links to more photos and content!

In this video clip from Fox Sports Net “Race Freaks,” Pete Sullivan races to become the 2011 USLMRA STA-BIL Series CP Class Champion.

2011 National CP Class Points – Top 10

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

In this video clip from Fox Sports Net “Race Freaks,” 19-year USLMRA lawn mower racing veteran Greg Honchell  becomes FX Class Champion at the 2011 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals.

2011 National FX Class Points – Top 10

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

In this video clip from Fox Sports Net “Race Freaks,” Ron Rollman of Tennessee becomes BP Class Champion at the 2011 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals.

2011 National BP Class Points – Top 10

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

Heeding the call of Westward MOWmentum, the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association has appointed two new Western Regional Directors to work with long-time Western Regional Director “Bud”, as America’s Fastest Mowing’ Sport rapidly expands west of the Mississippi.

Joining Bud will be Bob Newman of Sacramento, California and Scott McFarlane of Canby, Oregon.  Newman is President of the Sac Valley Mower Racers and McFarlane leads the Mount Hood Lawn Mower Racers, both USLMRA Affiliated Clubs.  Bud is President of the Pacific Coast Lawn Mower Racing Association Local Chapter and the Mowtivated Hillbillys Affiliated Club.

“Bob and Scott are sewn from the same grass seed as me,” quipped Bud from his home turf in Anza, California.  “I’ve been working with Bob for a few years now and just met Scott in 2011 at the Estacada, Oregon race, and these guys are MOWtivated to expand USLMRA lawn mower racing throughout the West. Scott and Bob have shown exceptional leadership and the organizational skills needed to keep our sport growing safely. They are a key part of our expansion here on the West Coast and we are very pleased to have them part of the team that leads the West to mow fun and safe races.”

Newman and McFarlane will continue to work with Elmore in venue selection, Club expansion, racer development, technical consulting, presenting build and driving clinics and overall growth of USLMRA Lawn Mower Racing in California, Oregon, Idaho and other Western locations.