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.

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.

The following clip from G4TV.com features Charles as Chief Steward at a 2005 U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association event in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2005:

Mow on Mr. Mowjangles!

Since my family is spread out over the East coast, it’s been a dream of mine to see them more often. In the past, we saw them once a year, but it was typically every other year that we visited with at least a few of them and not all at the same time. Little did I know that it would take a machine built for cutting grass, a chore that was assigned to my brother growing up, to bring us together a half a dozen times a year.

While the fun and camaraderie, and yes the laughs that go with it, are centered around a sport that may not rank as serious, this sport and being with my family has made a serious impact on the way I live my life. Not only has this sport given me the chance to spend more time with my family, it has provided an opportunity for me to bond with my dad again and in some ways tighter than when I was growing up. He has taught me many things over the years and I still find myself a student of his wisdom.

To read the entire piece, click here – we can’t recommend it more. This is what the USLMRA is all about. Well done Tina.  Truly MOWtivating.

The following words are from Sam’s racing buddy in the East Tennessee Lawn Mower Racing Association, Ron Rollman who lost his wife Sandy to Ovarian Cancer in May 2000 and founded the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation:

Sammy and I quickly became friends this year as he open-heartedly helped me with questions and answers about this sport. As a rookie in the same CP class as Sam, he openly and selflessly guided me to advance this year to a much higher level than most rookies ever get to. All with no regret or jealously on Sam’s part. He enjoyed talking and helping me with any problems with my mower. Sam was as real as it gets when it came to life. He possessed a character and intelligence I admired greatly, and came to respect in such a very short time after meeting him.

What you saw is what you got with Sammy. Always mild-mannered until someone rubbed his Redneck side then he got a little Testy!! All in all a First Class human being with a tremendous heart!!

I just spoke to him last Saturday while I was hunting in Illinois and he told me he was going to race on Saturday, November 6. He told me his back was fine BUT he was not feeling well! With my wife passing along with so many others, folks know how I feel about these hard times. But, I am HAPPY for Sam on how quick he went home to the Big Mower Track In The Sky, but saddened on the loss of a good friend and a fellow racer. He will be missed by all whom knew him!

Life Lessons: Do what you can do today. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Live everyday like it’s your last because there is no guarantee there will be a tomorrow! Everything will work out!

I took this GREAT photo of Sam in Englewood, Tennessee this year, and his big smile is on full display! Please post it on the web site for all to see, I know he would love it. My best to everyone and I am looking forward to racing in 2011 with the USLMRA!!! Mow on Brother Sam.

Sam left behind his loving wife Marisol. We invite you to assist her financially via a donation at your discretion to:

Marisol Rogers
P.O. Box 37
Benton, TN 37307

Ron and Nic appreciate the way in which the racing experience brings them closer together as father and son. They also enjoy having the chance to meet so many great people along the way. The Nebraska Lawnmower Racing Association has about 40 members in the area, Ron noted. The group ranges in age from 12 to 60 years old.

“We have a real nice group of people we race with,” Ron said, from here to Maxwell.

The article also says this about the Nebraska Lawnmower Racing Association:

The atmosphere of the lawnmower racetrack is also something Nic and Ron really enjoy about the sport. Depending on the day, there might be a full grandstand or there may just be the people there who are racing. But no matter what, it’s a great atmosphere.

“It’s real good weekend fun,” Nic said. “It’s a good family-oriented atmosphere.”

Read the whole piece here, and way to mow Ron and Nic!

Mikula wrapped up his fifth consecutive BP class national championship at the recent United States Lawn Mower Racing Association’s STA-BIL Nationals Weekend in Delaware, Ohio. He finished second in his feature race to clinch the season title.

The season isn’t over for Mikula. He plans to race in next weekend’s Hastings 500, which runs Oct. 8-10 at the Barry County Expo.

Snowmobile grass drag racing will be the featured sport. However, a course will be set up for the Michigan Lawn Mower Racing Association and the Potterville Rough Riders club to compete.

Jayson’s great work fundraising to fight Huntington’s Disease was mentioned as well:

Mikula also is vice president of the MLMRA, and each summer, the group hosts a national event at Sparta Airport. The event also serves as a fundraiser for Huntington’s Disease, and this past summer’s races raised more than $15,000.

Read the entire story here. Congrats, Jayson, and keep up the great work!

Emily Caswell of the Lapeer Area Review profiles Jay and Roger Keur of the Michigan Lawnmower Racing Association:

If it has a motor, Roger Keur will race it.

Case in point? This Sunday, Sept. 19 during his church’s annual Country Day event, Keur, senior minister at Country Christian Church, will race a lawn mower.

And Keur isn’t alone. In fact, as a member of the Michigan Lawnmower Racing Association he is just one of the hundreds of people around the state who have turned their mower into a vehicle for speed (well sort of, lawn mowers race at speeds of anywhere from 27 to 45 miles per hour).

Keur, who has been the senior minister at Country Christian Church for 19 years, got involved in the MILMRA through the encouragement of his brother Jay two years ago.

“It’s affordable (and) it’s something I can do now,” said Keur.

The brothers, who have always had a passion for racing, saw no reason not to give another vehicle a try.

“We’ve raced everything imaginable,” said Keur. “We’ve always been competitive.”

To read the entire piece, go to lapeerareaview.mihomepaper.com.

Bud “Elmow” Elmore will tell you that he is one “mowtivated” dude. The Anza resident has spent the last year and a half organizing and advocating for his brainchild, the Pacific Coast Lawn Mower Racing Association.

“I’ve been traveling up and down the coast promoting this sport,” said Elmore in a recent interview. “My goal is to ultimately get a nationally sanctioned lawn mower race here in Anza, and in other places on the West Coast.”

Sanctioning comes by way of the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association, a governing body founded in 1992 under the sponsorship of Stabil, a fuel stabilizer manufacturing company. The organization currently boasts more than 40 chapters and clubs and sponsors a national, competitive Points Championship Series.

Elmore and his fellow Anza mower enthusiasts are in the formative years of getting to the eventual goal of a Points Series race.

“We didn’t know much about the sport when we first started a year ago,” Elmore said. “But we did our research – we did some trial and error – and learned from each other.”

To read the rest of ‘Anza man “Mowtivated”, click here.

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.

And Part 2:

K&N is proud to announce a partnership with K&N Jones Racing for the 2009 Lawn Mower Racing Series. “It’s an honor to be selected to represent K&N and to team up with my daughter Katie for such a fine company,” said Jones. “Now USLMRA lawn mower racing can take its place among the world-class racing organizations that K&N supports such as the Indy Racing League, American Motorcycle Association and the Snap-On Stars of Karting.”

And on the Jones Family:

Ken and Katie Jones of Mendota, Illinois have been part of the lawn mower racing scene for years. Ken Jones is a 15-year USLMRA (U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association) racing veteran, USLMRA Steering Committee Member, Race Director and President of the Illinois Lawn Mower Racing Association. Katie, 14, races in the Junior Prepared Class and grew up on the lawn mower circuit at her father’s side.

To read more about the Jones family and their partnership with K&N, head here.

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.

As Founder and President of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) Kaufman is on the “cutting edge” of American motorsports, and while his tongue remains firmly planted in cheek, he can’t help thinking that his unlikely motorsports journalism career was tailor made for him.”

The USLMRA hosts the 17-event STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing US Points Series featuring riding lawn mowers with cutting blades removed at speeds from 5-60 mph, and a network of 32 Local Chapters and Affiliated Clubs hosting more than 130 sanctioned races nationwide.

The USLMRA is the nation’s oldest and largest National Lawn Mower Racing Sanctioning Body. There are more than 500 USLMRA members nationwide including Turfinator, Sodzilla, Mowdacious and Prograsstinator.  Lawn mowers race in four road course classes with all cutting blades removed:  Stock  (10 mph), IMOW (20 mph), Prepared (50 mph) and Factory Experimental (60 mph).  USLMRA racing is televised on Speed and Outdoor Channel and Speed TV.

“I’ve got the greatest gig in the country,” said the 48 year-old Northbrook, Illinois resident said from “Mow Central” his office in Glenview, Illinois. “I’ve always been a casual motorsports fan, but for the past 16 years I’ve become highly ‘mowtivated’ to immerse myself in all types of motorpsorts and motorsports marketing and journalism.”

Kaufman by trade is a public relations and event marketing professional with solid writing chops dating back to his childhood.  For Kaufman, writing and journalism are as easy as playing the blues piano, wailing on his harmonic or putting the puck in the lower corner of the net.  “I’ve always loved to write, I’ve always loved a sense of adventure and I’ve always had a sense of humor,” said the 1982 Journalism graduate of Northern Illinois University (NIU) who some folks also call “The Sodfather.”  “I’m also pretty good at recognizing good opportunities and the possibilities they bring and surrounding myself with talented people.”

Kaufman knew in high school that he wanted to pursue journalism in college and as a profession.  He also loves music and planning events.  While at NIU, Kaufman landed gigs on the University Concert and Special Event Planning Boards and he was off and running.  Planning concerts, comedy shows, festivals and special events became a passion for Kaufman.  He was then able to parlay this experience into a staff position at the Eastern Illinois University Programming Board while he completed his masters degree in Educational Psychology-Guidance and Counseling.

“My career path is basically a story of following my interests, pursuing my passions, working hard, being lucky and being open to the muse sprinkled with a dash of Grateful Dead philosophy, a sense of adventure and a killer t-shirt collection.”

The U.S. Mower Racing Association is managed by Glenview, IL-based Merton G. Silbar Public Relations, where Kaufman has been hunkered down for 20 years.  “Look in the dictionary under ‘First Class’ and there is a picture of my boss, Mert Silbar.  We are full scope public relations, event marketing and promotion agency, where we do three things every day:  write, write, write.  In my book, any decent PR pro is first a strong writer, and that is emphasized at our firm.”

Silbar, Kaufman and his colleagues knew the owners of Chicago-based Gold Eagle Co before they came to them with a novel idea in the summer of 1991:  organized lawn mower racing as a motorsports sponsorship program for STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer.  After a quick trip to England that summer, the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association was launched in the spring of 1992 – on April Fools’ Day no less.

“I knew we had a winner within the first week of announcing USLMRA to the world,” added Kaufman.  “Our press releases basically wrote itself, which was proven by coverage in the New York Times, Los Angles Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Southern Lawn Mower Dealers Newsletter.  Writing about lawn mower racing is like eating Chicago pizza:  easy to do and fun.”

The USLMRA is a motorsports sanctioning body, so Kaufman is responsible for more than just writing and journalism-releated functions.  He manages and serves as ultimate authority for race day operations, staffing, venue relations, media relations, membership, contracts, marketing, sponsorship, board of directors reporting, finance, administration, insurance, human resources and television production.

Kaufman has received awards including  Gold Pinnacle, Media Relations, International Festivals & Events Association; Silver Pinnacle, Best Sponsor Follow Up Report International Festivals & Events Association; Golden Trumpet, Marketing, Publicity Club of Chicago; Golden Trumpet, Special Event Marketing, Publicity Club of Chicago; Golden Trumpet, Web site, Publicity Club of Chicago; Outstanding Public Relations Tactics – Video News Release, Public Relations Society of America, Chicago Chapter; Gold Award: Sports and Event Marketing, Brandweek magazine; and Outstanding Creativity Award, Inside PR magazine.

During the past four years, Mr. Mow It All has expanded his print journalism experience into the broadcast side, becoming the TV color commentator and track host for the USLMRA TV shows airing on Outdoor Channel as part of the 13 week Motor Mania Series.  “Broadcast journalism is a lot of fun too,” said Kaufman. “Knowing the sport and our racers so well and having the gift of gab it makes sense to put my skills to use on the broadcast arena.  Plus, my kids think it’s cool to see daddy on TV.”

“I feel so lucky every day, to be doing this,” said Kaufman.  “To combine my talents and skills and to promote a good family-owned company like Gold Eagle and a great product like STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer, I just have to keep pinching myself.

When pressed to give a favorite career story, Kaufman thinks long and hard.  “I guess my favorite story that AARWBA members can relate to is the day in June, 2000 when lawn mower racing was featured on the front page of the New York Times.  As a writer and PR guy, your story on the front page of the New York Times is a Sprint Cup, Borg Warner Trophy, Stanley Cup and Vince Lombardi Trophy all rolled into one.  But to borrow from the famous philosopher Bart Simpson:  this is my favorite so far.”

Kaufman married his wife Debbie on Halloween 1987, after a chance meeting on a Friday the 13th at the bar across the street from his office.  Mr. and Mrs. Mow it All have three kids, Zoe, age 13, Ari age 11 and Lee, age 7 and a fire belly toad named Sodzilla.  Zoe and Ari race in the Junior Prepared Class.  Lee is a bit too young to mow.  Kaufman used to cut his own grass, but was fired after the crab grass got out of hand.  He still owns a push mower, but like his racing lawn mowers, it has no blades.