The Who, What, When and Where, have been blasted here, the USLMRA Facebook Page and the Heymow Forum for months now, and it’s just about Mow Time!

Again in 2011 for the U.S. Open, we are inviting everyone from everywhere, USLMRA member or not! All that been to a STA-BIL National USLMRA event in the past few years has seen the awesome Timing & Scoring system that Kerry Evans of EOP Pro provides to the USLMRA. Kerry and staff have assured me that they have us covered for the weekend, no matter how big the race field gets.  We will also have enough race stewards, tech inspectors, flaggers, track maintenance people and support staff on hand to deliver a well-run event.  The weekend will include:

• 19th Annual STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals*
• 4th Annual Performance Mowersports Expo**
• 3rd Annual National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies
• 2nd Annual U.S. Open (Pre-register here!)

* The STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals will be taped for Fox Sports Net, and will air in October with exact dates to be announced.

** PME Vendors will set up in or adjacent to the Race Pits with easy access for racers. There will be no set hours for the PME this year, as it will now take place all weekend at the discretion of the vendors. The Performance Mowersports Expo will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, builders and related product and service providers in the lawn mower racing industry.

STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals: September 3rd, 2011

This event crowns Points Champions in each class and is the culminating Event in 2011 STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series!

Racers in the STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals must qualify by class competing in at least one (1) lap in each of two (2) USLMRA STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series US Points Races. Note – competing in Local Chapter races no longer factors into qualifying for Nationals Weekend.

The Top Ten racers in points in each class will grid by descending order, 1^st – 10^th in Points. The remainder of the field will qualify through elimination or qualifying heat(s).  If elimination heats are not required for a particular class, a gridding heat may be ran.

In the event of a tie for the Top Ten point positions, the following tiebreakers will be applied in this numerical order:

1. Most STA-BIL Series US Points Races competed in.
2. Highest top five finish at a STA-BIL Points race
3. Most top five finishes.
4. Drawing of “lots”

2^nd Annual U.S. Open: Sunday, September 4th, 2011

On Sunday, September 4, 2011, the USLMRA will host the 2^nd annual U.S. Open, an Open Invitational. The U.S. Open will afford a wide range of lawnmower racers an opportunity to participate in USLMRA Nationals Weekend without having to qualify for the USLMRA STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals. The U.S. Open is a free event!  Racers will pay no race fees, and USLMRA membership is not required to participate. We will feed racers and families all weekend and we will provide each racer with a cool souvenir. 1^st-5^th Place trophies will be awarded for the U.S. Open. The U.S. Open will have full computerized Timing & Scoring provided by EOP Pro.  There will be no transponder fees.

At U.S. Open racers must have participated in organized/sanctioned lawnmower racing of some sort within the 24 months previous to the US Open. These racers may be required to provide proof in the form of official results from previous races. The U.S. Open is open to any USLMRA-legal mower, USLMRA Local Chapter (LC)/Affiliated Club (AC) mower or, any mower deemed safe by USLMRA Tech Staff. No roll cages. Open to all mowers that meet all USLMRA Safety Standards, see USLMRA Rule Book – No Exceptions!

We want ALL groups out there to be allowed to compete in the U.S. Open.  We have created a set of rules designed to allow just about any reasonable type of mower to compete. Please contact us with any questions about your mower’s eligibility, or your participation in the weekend!

2011 STA-BIL Nationals Weekend Event Schedule

Friday, Sept. 2

• 5:00-7:00 PM: Seafood Throwdown* (Sponsored by EOP Pro)
• 5:00-7:00 PM: Registration

* WE NEED YOU TO RSVP FOR FOOD if you plan on attending the Seafood Throwdown!  Please send an e-mail to Bruce@letsmow.com and let us know how many in your party.  We do not want to run out of food! Meal tickets must be presented.

Saturday, Sept. 3

• 9:00-12 :00 AM: Registration & Tech Inspection – Any Mower
• 10:00-12:00 AM: Practice (Only After Racers Register & Pass Tech)
• 12:15-12:45 AM: Driver’s Meeting – All Racers
• 1:00 PM: Lunch – Trackside
• 1:00-4:00 PM: Time Trials / Practice – Any Mower
• 4:00 PM: Qualifying / Elimination / Heat Races If Needed – Finals Racers Only
• 7:00 PM: STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals*

*Taping for Fox Sports Net

Sunday, Sept. 4

• 9:00-11:00 AM: Racer Breakfast*, Awards Ceremony and Hall of Fame Inductions (Merchants Building)
• 11:30-12:30 AM: Registration & Tech Inspection (For Late Arrivals, or Racers Coming Sunday Only)
• 12:30-12:45 AM: Driver’s Meeting
• 1:00 PM: Qualifying / Elimination / Heat Races – U.S. Open
• 2:00 PM: The U.S. Open

* WE NEED YOU TO RSVP FOR FOOD if you plan on attending the Racers Breakfast!  Please send an e-mail to Bruce@letsmow.com and let us know how many in your party.  We do not want to run out of food! Meal tickets must be presented.

2011 Season Awards

The USLMRA needs your vote and essay for our prestigious awards, which are determined by vote of the membership. Click here to vote online, or click here to print a form. Rookie of the Year, Adult and JP racers must have raced during the 2011 racing season and must be his or her’s first racing season. Rookie of the Year Candidates for JP and Adult Classes can be found by clicking here. Here are the voting categories:

• Most Improved
• Dave Hertel Mowtivational Award
• Charles Powell Mr. Mowjangles Award
• Dubba G Everyman Award
• Mace Mullins Crew Chief Award

THE DEADLINE FOR VOTING IS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2011, AT 9:00 A.M! Please note, ONLY one voting sheet for each USLMRA registered member. If you vote twice, both votes will be disqualified. Winners of each category will be announced at the USLMRA Awards Ceremony on Sunday morning.

Track Location and Venue Info

The USLMRA will return to the Delaware County Fairgrounds, in Delaware, MOWhio, Sept. 2-4, Labor Day Weekend, for the 19^th annual STA-BIL Nationals Weekend.  Visit delawarecountyfair.com for mow info on what a great facility this is.

View USLMRA Local Chapters & Affiliated Clubs in a larger map

John Nelson, “Sir Lawns-A-Lot,” and Dr. Art Neavill along with the late Charles Powell, “Mr. Mowjangles” will take their place of honor alongside legends of the lawn including “Turfinator” “Sodzilla” and “Boogie Woogie.”

• John Nelson “Sir Lawns-A-Lot”, Richardson, Texas:
  As a member of the USLMRA Steering Committee, Past President of the Lone Star Mower Racing Association (LSMRA) and the nations’ first “Mow Ambassador,” “Sir Lawns-A-Lot” epitomizes the spirit and unique culture of lawn mower racing. Also known as John Deere Nelson, John competed in five racing classes from 2001-2010. John still loves to show off in his John Deere 210, 14-foot, 5-engine machine he calls “Mow Longer.”
• Dr. Art Neavill, Commerce Township, Michigan:
  Dr. Art Neavill is beloved for his spirit, love of competition and eagerness to help fellow racers. Just before his retirement from the Michigan public school system, Art became a lawn mower racer, touring the country with his son-in-law and wife by his side, while intermittently battling cancer. Lawn mower racers across the country have benefitted from Art’s generosity. Be it a spare part, extra engine or entire lawn mower, if Dr. Art is in the pits, what’s his is yours.
• Charles Powell – “Mr. Mowjangles” (1950-2006), Forney, Texas:
  The late Charles Powell was USLMRA VP of Operations, LSMRA Founding President, Winner of the 2005 Pain in the Butt Award and simply, Mr. Mowjangles. He was a MOWtivated racer, chapter president and race steward. The annual USLMRA Charles Powell Mr. Mowjangles Award was named in his honor.

“Our 2011 Hall of Famers have travelled across the country kicking grass and having fun,” said Bruce Kaufman, “Mr. Mow It All” USLMRA Founder and President. “It is so cool to put a doctor of education and two Texas lawn rangers into the place of high honor in the annals of sod slinging. May their lawns always be green and weed-free.”

The 3rd annual National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies will take place Sunday, Sept. 4 in Delaware, Ohio during the 20th annual STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals and U.S. Open Labor Day Weekend Lawn Mower Racing Championships, which brings together hundreds of racing mowers from across America and Canada for mower-take-all showdowns in 11 classes.

Founded in 2009, the USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame is a place of honor for Turf Titans who have turned a weekend chore into a competitive sport. The USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum of America is located at Miller Lawn and Power, 1299 Harding Highway East State Road 309, Marion, Ohio.

Nelson, Neavill and Powell will join Hall of Fame Honorees including:

• The Organizing Committee of Indiana’s Twelve Mile 500 America’s oldest lawn mower race, founded 1963.
• Jim Gavin of Wisborough Green, England, Founder and General Secretary of the British Lawn Mower Racing Association, founded 1973.
• “Racing Ray” Mrocks, also known as “Sodzilla”, the first USLMRA member, who heeded the call to sod slinging glory on April 1, 1992, the birthday of national lawn mower race sanctioning in the United States.
• Chuck “Boogie Woogie” Miller, the only USLMRA member to compete in every STA-BIL Nationals since 1992.
• Ken “Turfinator” Smolecki whose mower, The Turfinator was featured on the TV sitcom Home Improvement and who raced in the legendary British Lawn Mower Racing Association 12-Hour Race.
• Bill Simpson, who served as the first USLMRA Race Director, adding consistency to race officiating by directing a staff of race stewards and staff.

Founded on April 1, 1992, the USLMRA sanctions and presents organized lawn mower racing across America including the 21-race STA-BIL Lawn & Garden Mower Racing Series and a network of 55 Chapters and Clubs hosting more than 150 sanctioned races nationwide each year. Races feature riding lawn mowers with cutting blades removed at speeds up to 60 mph. Lawn mowers race in several road course classes from Stock and IMOW (8-20 mph) to Factory Experimental and Open Twin Cylinder (40-60 mph).

Paul is based in Iowa  and leads the Missouri Valley Lawn Mower Racing Association, a USLMRA Affiliated Club, and serves as Vice President of the Iowa Lawn Mower Racing Association.

Bruce Kaufman, “Mr.Mow It All,” Founder & President of the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA), is featured on the January 28, 2011 edition of RadioSpeedTalk.com hosted by Pete LaFucia and Cliff Tanner – “Two guys with a show, talking about anything with an engine that goes fast!”

Mr. Mow It All talks about the STA-BIL Lawn & Garden Mower Racing Series, the involvement of STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer and Gold Eagle Company, racing mower rules, USLMRA Local Chapters, Affiliated Clubs, the National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum, the annual Race for Huntington’s Disease Research, the annual St. Mary’s County Mow Down at Bowles Farms in Clements, Maryland, mowermovie.com – “A Tale of Hope, Redemption & Lawn Mower Racing”, and a new partnership with GnomeFrenzy.com in advance of the Disney movie “Gnomeo & Juliet” opening February 11, 2011.

Mr. Mow It All’s interview starts at 12:26 and ends at 41:56 of the 53:13 segment. You can use your mouse to fast forward.

Head on over to RadioSpeedTalk.com and become a Speed Junkie!

Here are the two racing mower veterans interviewed by Bruce Kaufman, Mr. Mow It All, Founder & President of the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association.

You can read more about the USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum of America here.

I just read a post on heymow.com from Hall of Famer Chuck Miller, who has competed in each of the 19 STA-BIL Nationals since 1992. He said that this was one of the best ever, and he knows. Perhaps it was having the Canadians with us. Perhaps it was the entire U.S. Open concept. Maybe it was the quality of the racing. Might have been that we had a pretty good spectator crowd. Was it Kerry’s shrimp and Conecuh Sausage? Was it that many of the U.S. Points Championships were tied or close to tied heading into the Finals and it was anyone’s Championship to capture. Could have been that B-Man and Bubba kept the crowd pumped up and informed all weekend. Could be the great job Lawn Monkey did on the microphone. Heck, maybe it was just that Rooster was there! Was it all of the above? Yeah, I think it is all of the above.

I will tell you that the U.S. Staff worked our tails off to deliver a quality event: Kerry Evans, Manny Torres, Tracy (and Casey!) Donihue, Rodney Peeler, Lee Vine, Chirissy and Richard Webb, Bud Elmore, Wally Bender, Lou Filos, Steve Barber, Tim Wood, Larry Moreland, Al Myers, Bill Vinka, with help from Nicole Minaker, Amanda Whitehead and others who manned the Registration Table.

However, as we celebrate this great weekend, we do take pause to mourn the sudden loss of Robert “Tater” Ginn’s father and we wish Davey Glassnor, Jr. a speedy recovery from his injury during practice for the U.S. Open.

The USLMRA has always tried to provide great events. We understand that track conditions for Sunday’s U.S. Open were challenging, and we have already begun to look at new options for next year. We are also considering moving the 2011 STA-BIL Nationals away from Labor Day Weekend to become part of the Delaware County Fair on either Opening or Closing Weekend. If you have an opinion on this, please let us know.

2010 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals Race Results can be found here.

2010 USLMRA Final Points Standings can be found here.

2010 U.S. Open Race Results can be found here.

Other Noteworthy Honors:

Voted Awards

• Rookie of the Year, JP, Garrett Bell, Michigan
• Rookie of the Year, Adult, Nathan Mesalk, Wisconsin
• Most Improved Driver, “Wild” Bill Campbell, Michigan
• Driver of the Year, Richard Webb, Michigan

Honorary Awards Via Written Essay

• Dave Hertel Mowtivation Award Winner, Chuck Miller
• Charles Powell Mr. Mowjangles Award, Pat Sullivan
• Dubba G Everyman Award, Jim Keech
• Mace Mullins Crew Chief Award, Jayson Mikula

2010 Inductees: National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum of America

• Ken “Turfinator” Smolecki
• Bill Simpson

Golden Blade Award

• Michigan

Gonzo Go To Fund Awards

• Presented to one random racer in each class

USLMRA President’s Awards

• Kerry Evans, USLMRA VP / US Open Co-Chair
• Manny Torres, USLMRA Tech Director
• Lee Vine, U.S. Open Co-Chair
• Tracy Donihue, USLMRA Chief Steward
• Rodney Peeler, USLMRA Chief Steward
• Henry MacCarty, USLMRA Chief Steward
• Chrissy and Richard Webb, USLMRA Registration & Tech
• Tom Cole, ARC Racing
• Aaron Turner, Mowmentum Magazine
• Paul Krueger, Missouri Valley LMRA
• Shannon Kayhart, Wisconsin LMRA
• Bud Elmore, Pacific Coast LMRA / Mowtivated Hillbillys
• Amanda Whitehead, Michigan LMRA
• Ferris Hipolite, Ithaca Dirt Devils
• Ryan Kerr, Western Ontario Outlaws
• Al Minakaer, Lawn Money, USLMRA Announcer
• Tim Wood, Delaware County Fairgrounds
• Larry Moreland, Delaware County Fairgrounds
• Wally Bender, USLMRA Tech Inspector

Special Recognition – USLMRA Tech Inspectors

• Manny Torres
• Wally Bender

Lou Filos

• Richard Webb

U.S. Open Spirit & Spark Awards

• Lee Vine, Co-Chair
• Kerry Evans, Co-Chair
• Tracy Donihue, Chief Steward
• Chuck Miller

Mowmentum Award – Presented By Aaron Turner

• Jon “Rooster” Lewman

2010 Mr. Mow It All / A.K.A. Mr. Grass Hole “Let Me Raid Your Cooler” 2010 Racer Award

• Bruce Kaufman

To all those who attended the 2010 STA-BIL Nationals Weekend – thanks for coming! For those who couldn’t make it, see you next year – BRING IT!

To view the entire series, in order, head on over to USLMRA TV now!

The U.S. Open and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies will take place Sunday, September 5th in Delaware, Ohio during the 18th annual STA-BIL Nationals Labor Day Weekend Lawn Mower Racing Championships.

The U.S. Open will bring together hundreds of racing mowers from across America and Canada for mower-take-all showdowns in 11 classes and will showcase the 2010 USLMRA national champions crowned Saturday, Sept. 4 at the STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals.

Founded in 2009, the USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame is a place of honor for Turf Titans who have turned a weekend chore into a competitive sport since organized lawn mower racing was created in 1963. The 2010 inductees are:

• Ken “Turfinator” Smolecki of West Chicago, Illinois whose mower, The Turfinator was featured on the hit TV sitcom Home Improvement for the famous jet-powered lawn mower race pitting Tim Allen vs. Bob Vila. Smolecki joined the USLMRA in 1992, raced until 2000, served on the Rules Committee and as Technical Director and raced in the legendary British Lawn Mower Racing Association 12-Hour Race where he was honored as the first American to wave the checkered flag (1999).
• Bill Simpson of Trevor, Wisconsin, who served as the first USLMRA Race Director, adding consistency to race officiating by directing a staff of race stewards, technical directors and flaggers. Simpson created a Race Operations Manual, served as racer liaison, handled venue negotiations, implemented insurance programs and organized an annual Rules Committee Meeting.

“Just like golf, tennis, beer drinking and fishing, lawn mower racing now has a U.S. Open and a Hall of Fame, said Bruce Kaufman, “Mr. Mow It All” USLMRA Founder and President. “The U.S. Open is where backyard meets brickyard and where Lawn Rangers will seek the ultimate weekend challenge. Our 2nd annual Hall of Fame ceremonies will also exalt two more bladeless runners to a place of high honor in the annals of sod slinging. Labor Day Weekend will kick grass!”

Smolecki and Simpson will join the inaugural Hall of Fame class of 2009 which includes the Organizing Committee of the Twelve Mile 500 America’s oldest lawn mower race, founded in 1963; Jim Gavin of Wisborough Green, England, Founder and General Secretary of the British Lawn Mower Racing Association, founded in 1973; “Racing Ray” Mrocks of Lake Zurich, Illinois, the first USLMRA member, who heeded the call to sod slinging glory on April 1, 1992, the birthday of national lawn mower race sanctioning in the United States; and Chuck Miller, of Marion, Ohio, the only USLMRA member to compete in every STA-BIL Nationals since 1992. The USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum of America is located at Miller Lawn and Power, 1299 Harding Highway East State Road 309, Marion, Ohio.

This is the eight of fourteen video “clippings” of racing mower action, the Performance Mowersports Expo, USLMRA Sponsors, and various interesting mowments captured at STA-BIL Nationals Weekend.

This video features highlights from The National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame and Museum of America!

Check back as we release a new video in this series, and as always, head over to USLMRA TV or our YouTube pages for more great video clippings!

As he reflected upon his recent election to the new lawn mower racing Hall of Fame, which will be housed in the near future in his own business, Marion’s Chuck Miller was as calm and collected as he is on the track.

“To be in the hall is cool and to have it at my shop is cooler yet,” Miller quietly said prior to last weekend’s STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals on the Delaware County fairgrounds.

It was announced last week that the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association Hall of Fame would be located at Miller Lawn and Power Equipment at 1299 Harding Highway E., a facility Miller owns.

“We were looking for a location where there was a retail business that is open all of the time,” said Bruce Kaufman, president and founder of the USLMRA. “Chuck volunteered his building and we agreed.”

The article ran September 13, 2009, and you can read it in its entirety here.

Miller Lawn and Power, 1299 Harding Highway East State Road 309 in Marion, Ohio will be “Mowtivation Station” as a place of honor for the Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame.

“I’ve seen the growth of the USLMRA since the first race in 1992, “ said Miller. “It amazes me to see how this sport has grown so fast and how it has become part of American culture. I’ve stayed competitive over the years, and although I’m getting older, I’ve still got my MOWjo.”

The Class of 2009 includes:

• The Organizing Committee of the Twelve Mile 500 in Twelve Mile, Indiana. The Twelve Mile 500 is the home of America’s oldest organized riding lawn mower race. Founded in 1963 and hosted by the Twelve Mile Lions Club, the annual mow down takes place on July 4th each year. 33 mowers run 60 laps around a 1/4 mile track covering a distance of 15 miles, a bit longer than the original distance of 48 laps – twelve miles – due to increased speed in recent years.
• Jim Gavin of Wisborough Green, West Sussex, England, Founder and General Secretary of the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLMRA), founded in 1973 at the Cricketers Arms in Wisborough Green, West Sussex. Gavin, an Irishman who had raced and rallied cars across the world, became disillusioned with the increasing costs of motorsport. Whilst downing their pints in the village pub, Gavin and a group of locals looked across the village green to see the green keeper mowing the cricket patch. They realized that everyone had a lawn mower in their garden shed, so a Championship was held in a local farmer’s field. About 80 competitors turned up for what turned out to be a very successful event and the formation of the BLMRA. The BLMRA still sticks to its origins as a non-profit organization (any profits are given to charities or good causes) while providing well-organized and inexpensive motor sport with a strong social atmosphere.
• “Racing Ray” Mrocks of Lake Zurich, Illinois, the first member of the USLMRA heeded the call to sod slinging glory on April 1, 1992, the birthday of national lawn mower race sanctioning in the United States. “Racing Ray” tore up the turf from 1992-2001, claiming BP Class Points Championships on his mower Sodzilla 1995-1997. “Racing Ray” served as Chief Technical Inspector, race course builder, rule maker and friend to lawn mower racers far and wide. “I like lawn mower racing because it’s fun and affordable,” said Ray in 1997. “Come to think of it, I like anything that is fun and affordable, that’s why I gave up my marriage, but I’m still racing lawn mowers.”
• Chuck Miller, of Marion, Ohio, the only USLMRA member to compete in every STA-BIL Nationals since 1992. The “Boogie Woogie Man” is a multi-year racing champion and is a Charter USLMRA Member. His record of 16 consecutive starts in the annual STA-BIL Nationals is unmatched. Miller won the 1st BP Class Championship at the 1992 STA-BIL Nationals and the Factory Experimental Championship in 1993. In 2008 he took 2nd place in the STA-BIL Challenge of Champions Race. Miller has also been involved as a race coordinator, rules consultant and Local Chapter contact.

Lawn mower racers from across America will converge in Delaware “MOWhio” during the Labor Day weekend as the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) presents the 17th Annual STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals and Challenge of Champions. More than 100 Sod Slingers on mowers at speeds nearing 60 mph will compete on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-6, at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware, OH.

Founded on April 1, 1992, the USLMRA sanctions and presents organized lawn mower racing across America including the 18-race STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series and a network of 43 Local Chapters and Affiliated Clubs hosting more than 140 sanctioned races nationwide each year. Races feature riding lawn mowers with cutting blades removed at speeds up to 60 mph. Lawn mowers race in four road course classes: Stock (8 mph), IMOW (20 mph), Prepared (50 mph) and Factory Experimental (60 mph).

For more information call (847) 272-2120. Interviews, b-roll and funny quips available upon request

The USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of fame & Museum of America is featured in Circle track Magazine blog.

http://blogs.circletrack.com/6527752/editorials/real-grassroots-racing/index.html

In an effort to continue to legitimize the sport it brought to America in 1992, the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) has announced the creation of the USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum of America.
“Every legitimate sport and endeavor has a Hall of Fame,” said Bruce Kaufman, USLMRA Founder and President, also known as “Mr. Mow It All.” “Now lawn mower racing takes its’ rightful place along such noble American pastimes as baseball, country music, motorcycle racing, pinball, juggling, trivia and quilting with a place to honor ingenuity and mowtivation.”

The location of the USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum of America and its Inaugural Inductees will be announced on the 4th of July with Induction Ceremonies to take place Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 5-6 at the 17th annual STA-BIL Nationals in Delaware, Ohio. USLMRA has released its 18-race 2009 STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series which begins April 4-5 in Avon Park, Florida and culminates at the STA-BIL Nationals, a 2-day weekend championship mow down which also features the Performance Mowersports Expo (PME) lawn mower racing trade show.USLMRA sanctions and presents organized lawn mower racing across America including the 18-race STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series and a network of 42 Local Chapters and Affiliated Clubs hosting more than 140 sanctioned races nationwide each year. Races feature riding lawn mowers with cutting blades removed at speeds up to 60 mph. Lawn mowers race in four road course classes: Stock (8 mph), IMOW (20 mph), Prepared (50 mph) and Factory Experimental (60 mph).

Races take place in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

On February 12, 2007, the USLMRA racing community lost another dear friend, Garrett Gray, “Dubba G.” of Duncanville, Texas.  DG knew he was going to pass away.  Indeed, he allowed me to share the news with the racing community prior to his passing, which I did.  The warm wishes and personal missives were shared with him and they meant so very much.

In the final months before his passing, we spoke often.  Dubba and I decided that he, himself would choose his legacy in his own way, in his own words.

Dubba G and his trusty steed, Geronimow, were known across the land.  TNN, The Dallas Morning News, Sports Illustrated, newspapers here and there – the names Dubba G and Geronimow are known from Mandan, North Dakota to Avon Park, Florida; from Duncanville, Texas to Wisborough Green, England.

Dubba G was the perfect “Racer Liaison” and problem solver.  He could talk to anyone; solve problems, so we made him a staff member.  Dubba loved the gift of gab, so we made him a race announcer.  Dubba loved to eat, so we had him cook the steaks after the races.  Dubba G loved to socialize, so we made him Chief Gadfly.  What a great guy.

Therefore, today on April Fool’s Day, I’m proud to share the following words from Dubba G to announce the creation of the annual Dubba G Everyman Award.  Why “Everyman?”  Because Garrett Gray was every man:  a good, solid family man, a hard worker in his day jobs, a middle-of-the-pack racer, highly MOWtivated for lawn mower racing, and a guy who “found his people.”

From Dubba G
Let’s get started.

1. We are looking for people with dedication, integrity and conviction to stand up for what they believe, even when unpopular. Examples; The Witt’s, Brother Bob Frennesson, Bob Stormer in some cases (actually, I think he may have fit this part of it more then we guessed.)???!!

2. The candidate will carry a positive disposition.  Obviously, game face before the race doesn’t count.  Examples: The Witt’s, Big Tim Robison, Dave Hertel.

3. Actions on the track, including driving style, will show gentlemanly demeanor. Not necessarily always deferring to other drivers, but not creating unsafe situations. Their competitive spirit needs to be tempered with a “spirit of a sound mind”.  Intentionally running people off the track, running into or bumping and/or ignoring Safety Crew repeated will disqualify a candidate.

4. Candidates are willing to help others. When times of need arise, sacrifice is not uncommon, willing to volunteer, add a hand, step up to the plate. Examples:
Dave Hertel, Joe Gillians, Kerry Evans, Dink and Mavis Strunk.

5. Enthusiasm is key. They want to be here, at the race, in the paddock, at the driver’s meeting, their excitement will help the group’s positive energy grow and surge just by their presence. Examples: Dink Strunk, The Witt’s, Michael Bonville.  Similar to #2, but more encompassing. People like being around the candidate or at least don’t mind their presence.

6. General knowledge of what’s going on race day, race track, in the paddock, in general. This would imply that first month rookies may not fully qualify, but depending on their learning curve, they could be in the running. This doesn’t mean they have to know everything, but a good solid understanding of how things work is the basic idea.

7. Most important, at least to me, is their Sense of Fair Play. We have all seen racers over the years that possess some or a few of these qualities, but when bump comes to shove, this particular attribute gets left behind or thrown out the window, depending on the situation. This applies on the track, negotiations during the rules committee, arguments about rules infractions and who gets the last beer after the race.

8. Comes prepared to help.  Spare parts, rope to hang clothes, share knowledge, extra mower to run on race day in order to keep accumulating points for the season. Having made preparations to help others in advance, knowing someone will need something. #4 shows the willingness, #8 exhibits the forethought to add extra supplies, etc.

9. One of the traditions I enjoyed most was having a steak and a beer (or mower) after the race. I know most people want to run home. But there is always a few that will stick around or meet you on the way to the airport. This one is a bit hard to wrap your arms around, but I think this is part of the mix.

10. I always preferred plaques. Trophies can be hard to store, but there’s always room for a plaque. A lot less dusting along with less space used.

This should give you an idea of what I have been thinking.

DG

The Dubba G Everyman Award will be presented to one USLMRA Member based on the above criteria.

USLMRA members and staff can submit an essay, in writing, nominating a candidate who is deserving of this honor.  Essays can be submitted in any written format, and must be submitted to Bruce Kaufman, USLMRA President.  All entries submitted by the start of the annual USLMRA Awards Banquet on the Saturday night of Labor Day Weekend will be considered.

The USLMRA President will select the Honoree.  The Honoree will be announced at the Saturday Night Racer Banquet during STA-BIL Nationals Weekend.  The winning essay will be read by the USLMRA President.  The Nominator and/or the actual Honoree does not have to be present at STA-BIL Nationals Weekend

May the spirits of Dave Hertel, Charles Powell….and Dubba G live on.