Spotlight (Bios)

“Hedgehog Day”, Wednesday, February 1 broke cloudy, still and a warm 37 degrees in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, as the “Hedgehog,” lawn mower racer Mike Miller emerged from his burrow, the world waiting to see if he would see his shadow and to hear his prediction for the start of his first race of the 20th Anniversary STA-BIL® Lawn and Garden Mower Racing Series.

Miller then returned to his burrow, which also functions as his garage, and brought his souped up, 80-mph Factory Experimental racing mower, also named “Hedgehog” out for a few hot laps on the winter morning grass.

After slinging some sod, he turned to Bruce Kaufman, “Mr. Mow It All” U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association President to translate his prediction for when “The Hedgehog” will start his first race of the 20th Anniversary STA-BIL® Lawn and Garden Mower Racing Series. Spoken in “Mowerese” a language understood only by Mr. Mow It All, the news was shared with the world:

HERE YE, HERE YE!

On this winter morning I see,
No shadow lies near me.
So I shall bring out my mower to race,
On April Fool’s Day, to set the pace.
My bladeless wonder “HEDGEHOG” will soar,
To speeds of 60 mph – or more.
20 years of kickin’ grass,
Now, out of my way and let me pass!

Miller built his championship mower, The Hedgehog, 15 years ago and has piloted his trusty ride to numerous STA-BIL Series victories and championships in his 19-year lawn mower racing career. Hedgehog is a 1968 E.T. Rugg, with a 390cc Honda Power motor, turning 45 horsepower. It will go zero to 50 in 5.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 80 mph.

“We plan to make Hedgehog Day an annual tradition,” added Kaufman. “It is only fitting that we present our first Hedgehog Day as part of our 20th Anniversary. Since the “Hedgehog” did not see shadow, he will leave his burrow on April Fool’s Day, the 20th birthday of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association to begin his racing season. If the “Hedgehog” saw his shadow, he would have returned to his garage to tinker and make adjustments for the season, making his racing debut June 23, under the warm summer sun at the 4th Annual STA-BIL Land of Lincoln Regionals, at Nostalgia Days in Zion, Illinois.”

Also like the famous mowtivated mammal that emerges in February, Hedgehog has its own “elixir of life,” HEET Gas-Line Antifreeze that allows his engine to start right up and spring him to life in the cold winter months. Hedgehog fills up with HEET each winter to keep him mowing and going. HEET removes water from the fuel system to prevent gas-line freeze-up and harmful rust and corrosion. Miller also uses Iso-HEET Premium Fuel-line Antifreeze, Water Remover & Injector Cleaner. It absorbs five times more water than regular gas-line antifreeze, while it cleans fuel injectors and carburetors. It’s designed for use year-round in all 2-cycle and 4-cycle gasoline engines and diesel engines.

Rocket Man Racing has made lawn mower racing history by fielding 3 generations of lawn mower racers! Grandpa Pat Sullivan (center) is flanked by son Pete (right) and grandson Wyatt (left). Rocket Man Racing also includes Pat’s daughter Tina Paccione, son-in-law Michael Paccione, brother Bruce Sullivan, nephew Danny Sullivan. Wyatt has three goals in lawn mower racing: “Have fun, have fun, have fun!”

Glenn Evans of Texas’s Longview News-Journal profiled Richard Lively of the Lone Star Mower Racing Association:

The races themselves are his passion. A former go-cart competitor, Lively drifted into the lawnmower lane about 10 years ago.

Also a pit crew member at monster truck rallies, he saw two passions crash into one sport.

“We race throughout the year and do the car show, the AutoRama,” he said. “It’s the biggest show in Dallas.”

Lively, 49, is a member of the Lone Star Mower Racing Association, a roughly 30-member posse where his nickname is “Ricky Bobby,” after Will Ferrell’s win-obsessed character in the 2006 comedy “Talladega Nights.”

“We call it the poor man’s NASCAR,” Lively said of the sport he steered toward a state championship in 2009, his sixth.

And in true “Everything is bigger in Texas” form, Richard has some monster mowers to show off as well… check out the photos from news-journal.com!

United States Lawn Mower Racing Association racer Jayson Mikula of Sparta, Michigan talks about mowing for his 5th consecutive BP Class Championship in the STA-BIL Lawn & Garden Mower Racing Series prior to the annual Labor Day Weekend  STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals and U.S. Open event in Delaware, Ohio.  Jayson’s father James Mikula and father-in-law James Keech discuss the annual Huntington’s Disease Race for Research in Sparta, Michigan, always held the 3rd weekend in July.

Manny Torres is the National Tech Director of the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association and is responsible for rules enforcement and safety.  Manny was interviewed  by Bruce Kaufman, Mr. Mow It All, Founder & President of the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association during his visit to the 2010 STA-BIL Nationals and U.S. Open (Sept. 3-5).  Manny discusses his role and USLMRA safety and technical issues.