Fox Sports Net “Race Freaks” features the AP Class Championship Race at the 2012 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals, to determine the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association National Lawn Mower Racing Points Championship.

Race results are on MyLaps here. A full list of the 2012 STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series Points Champions are here.

It all went down at the No Limits Garage Party before NASCAR‘s Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 on Saturday… In addition to Kyle and Rutledge giving our sport a try, USLMRA and LSMRA competitors from across the south amazed the crowd with sod-slinging action. Here’s a report from Lone Star MRA Secretary, Sammie Neel:

All of the racers did a phenomenal job! The racing was great and the spectators were standing, cheering us on. It was so ENERGIZING to hear their response to the racing! John “Sir Lawns A Lot” Nelson did a EXCEPTIONAL job commentating the race with his usual wit, and everything went very smoothly.

A big thanks to STA-BIL and K&N!  We are all keeping our fingers crossed that this event will lead to something else BIG!!

Read more on NASCAR’s Shake & Bake Blog!

In addition to the amazing weather and awesome racing, fans were treated to a ton of giveaways from STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer and K&N Filters and an appearance by “The World’s Fastest Mascot” Lugnut. The day’s Opening Ceremonies were broadcast on the speedway’s giant 16,000 square foot HD TV (the world’s largest!) that looms over the 1.5 mile quad oval track, and we were thrilled to have NASCAR’s Steve Park stop by and let the crowd know he and his son are fans of our style of racing

After thrilling Saturday’s standing-room only spectator crowds with some incredibly competitive racing action, the Charlotte Motor Speedway crew went out of their way to work overnight making improvements to the brand-new dirt track – as we said in yesterday’s recap, there’s a reason they call it “The Greatest Place To See The Race!” Racers and crowds alike were rewarded with some of our our best lawn mower racing action ever as over 100 mowers went head-to-head for trophies, glory and bragging rights in 11 action-packed classes.

Results for today’s races are available here, and there will be plenty of photos, video and MOW coming over the next few days and weeks – stay tuned!

Standing room only spectator crowds, over a hundred mowers, and some incredibly competitive racing action across all 11 classes were the highlights from today. Everyone from The Engine Answerman Bobby Cleaveland to some very promising pre-teen rookies were on hand, and the pits and track alike were buzzing with excitement as mowers and drivers from across the country fought tooth and nail for grass glory, bragging rights, and some incredible Charlotte Motor Speedway trophies!  There will be plenty of photos, video and MOW coming over the next few weeks, but for now, here are some of our favorites.

Results for today’s races are available here, and we’ll be back on the track tomorrow at noon! Stop by and see us – we are located just past the zMax Dragway at Gate 26!

Pre-Staging & Track Arrival Procedures

On Friday the Food Lion AutoFair will be open until 6:00PM. Between 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM all Drivers & Crew can go to Sign-in Location at the zMAX Dragway Main Entrance, located off of Bruton Smith Blvd. Staging Area at ZMax Main Entrance Gate.

When you enter through the ZMax Main Gate, turn left, and then turn right at the traffic circle. You will need to stop at the ticket booth to sign waivers and purchase 2-day AutoFair tickets, and then proceed to I600 Road, past the East Grandstand. You will be marshaled into a Pre-Staging Area where you will receive a Parking Pass to display on your windshield. Starting at 6PM CMS Officials will begin escorting racers to the track area in their tow vehicles. Escorts will lead you down I600 Road, past the Green Field onto 25 Road. At 8:15 PM Escorts stop – after 8:15 PM, you must then wait until Saturday morning to be escorted to the track area.

Re-staging and escort procedures on Saturday morning will follow the same schedule as Friday, between 6:30 – 10:30 AM.

Minor Release Form Instructions

BOTH parents must sign the Charlotte Motor Speedway Minor Waiver Form. If only one parent or Legal Guardian is on site, the following instructions must be followed EXACTLY. Note if you are a legal guardian, there are specific instructions for you needing legal court documentation. As per CMS Web site: “Any deviation will result in refusal of entry to any restricted areas and scheduled competition.”

In an effort to accommodate those minor participants (aged 14 to 17) traveling with only one parent or legal guardian, or traveling without either of their parents or legal guardians, we are posting the “Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement/Minor’s Assumption of Risk and Release and Waiver of Liability” form for off-site execution.

In order for the “Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement/Minor’s Assumption of Risk and Release and Waiver of Liability” form to be accepted by the registrars, it must be completed and executed EXACTLY according to the instructions below. Any deviation will result in refusal of entry to any restricted areas and scheduled competition.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL MINORS UNDER AGE 17 AND UNDER ENTERING THE PIT AREA – THIS INCLUDES MINOR DRIVERS AND MINOR NON-DRIVERS!

Message from USLMRA Tech Director Manny Torres

With this being one of the most significant events the USLMRA has had in recent years, those planning to attend MUST understand that their race mowers MUST comply with the 2013 USLMRA Rule Book.

In past events we have taken the stance that we do everything possible to allow all racers to take part in racing events for that day. With the large number of racers expected in Charlotte, and the tight schedule we will be required to follow, it is imperative that all mowers are  to the USLMRA standard.  Remember this is not a USLMRA US Open Event – it is a STA-BIL Series US National Points race, and we must ensure that all mowers are to USLMRA standards!

Over the past several weeks the USLMRA staff has received numerous e-mails and phone calls from racers throughout the southeast questioning whether their mowers will be allowed to race, and inquiring about different classes being run. Bottom line here is that everything needed to know is outlined in our rule book on LetsMow.com and is also posted on HeyMow.com.

We do not intended to discourage anyone from attending, but we MUST encourage all to download the USLMRA Rule Book and read it, and only then, if any questions arise, contact the USLMRA for clarification of the rules. Again, we will do everything possible to allow everyone to race but drivers must also do their part in ensuring their mowers are prepared for inspection to USLMRA Standards!

More Charlotte Lawn Mower Racing Details

USLMRA 21st Birthday activities will take place throughout the April 6-7 Race Weekend at the Food Lion AutoFair at Charlotte Motor Speedway including STA-BIL® giveaways from Gold Eagle’s Engine Answerman, Bobby Cleveland, driver of the World’s Fastest Lawn Mower!

 Race Info & Schedule  Download & Print (.PDF Link)

Please stay tuned to LetsMow.com, as there will be ongoing updates leading up to the weekend. Contact Bruce, Kerry, Manny, or Richard with any questions.

“We’re celebrating April Fool’s Day as ‘April Fuels Day’ in honor of STA-BIL® Fuel Stabilizer, America’s number one selling fuel stabilizer,” said Bruce Kaufman, “Mr. Mow It All” USLMRA President. “Lawn mower racers want to protect and preserve their fuel while preventing corrosion and water damage, just like millions of boaters, classic car enthusiasts, and RV owners who lengthen the life of their fuel with STA-BIL® every day, throughout the year. “

USLMRA 21st Birthday activities will take place throughout the April 6-7 Race Weekend at the Food Lion AutoFair at Charlotte Motor Speedway including STA-BIL® giveaways from Gold Eagle’s Engine Answerman, Bobby Cleveland, driver of the World’s Fastest Lawn Mower and racing mower action at speeds up to 50mph.

“’April Fuels Day’ is also a good time to note that ethanol is the first major step for renewable fuels,” Kaufman added. “That means folks have to handle and use their fuel differently and use preventive measures including proper storage and additives like STA-BIL®.”

Cleveland set the World Lawn Mower Land Speed Record of 96.529 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats (Sept. 25, 2010) and will showcase his custom Snapper race mower as “Turf Titans” from across the country compete in bladeless competition at the “The Greatest Place to See The Race”, Charlotte Motor Speedway. Racing starts at 1:30 pm on Saturday, April 6 and 12:00 pm on Sunday April 7.

“I’ve raced lawn mowers at the Atlanta and Bristol Motor Speedways, at the Bonneville Salt Flats and in the countryside of England,” said Cleveland. “Adding Charlotte Motor Speedway to my race resume will be another great accomplishment for our STA-BIL Lawn Mower Racing program. “I’m ready to rock and mow!”

A custom-built dirt track will be created near the 5th Mile Track in the rear the Gated Area of the Speedway specifically for the racing mowers, which compete in 11 classes with all cutting blades removed. Racing is sanctioned by the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA), where racers compete for points, trophies and bragging rights, as well as the occasional garden gnome. The USLMRA is sponsored by STA-BIL®, America’s top selling fuel stabilizer.

Lawn mower racers from across the country will compete at Charlotte including members of the East Tennessee, Florida, Mason-Dixon, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina and Ohio Lawn Mower Racing Associations along with the Alabama-based Dixie Outlaws. National and regional champions will be on site to race and visit with fans all weekend.

For more info on STA-BIL Series Lawn Mower Racing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on April 6 & 7, CLICK HERE!

The Food Lion AutoFair annually attracts more than 100,000 visitors, features nearly 50 car club displays and offers a surplus of automotive parts and memorabilia for sale or trade. There’s also a collector car auction conducted by Dealer Auctions Inc. and more than 1,500 collectible vehicles of all makes and models will be available for sale in the car corral that rings the 1.5-mile superspeedway.

In addition to North Carolina, Rocket Man Racing team members hail from Florida, New York and New Jersey. The Rocket Man Team has seven drivers competing in nine of the 11 STA-BIL Series classes. Pat Sullivan of Venice, Florida is “The Rocket Man.” He started it all about 11 years ago, is a 4-time U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) National Champion 
and has built every one of the team’s ten machines.

Wyatt Sullivan of Raleigh, North Carolina is Pat’s grandson, racing at 11 years old, and was 2012 Co-National Champion in the Junior Prepared Class. Danny Sullivan, Pat’s nephew, is from Plattsburgh, NY racing with USLMRA when his ¼ mile asphalt racing schedule allows.

Pete Sullivan of Raleigh, Pat’s son and Wyatt’s dad, is a 5-time National Champion. 
 Husband and wife racers Tina (Pat’s daughter) and Mike Paccione are from New Jersey. Mike is a 2-time National Champion. Joey, their son is the newest addition to the team as he is now old enough to race in the Junior Prepared Class.

Pat, Pete, and Wyatt are the first and only 3-generation racing family in the USLMRA, and have ten National Championships between the three of them. The team also has a pit crew of Pat’s grandchildren including, McKenna (nine), Nicholas (eight), and Olivia (six). The 2013 racing season also presents the second multi-generational Sullivan racing link, with Pat, Tina and Joey.

“We have two family lawn mower racing tree branches that each extend three generations,” said Pete Sullivan, a Partner in the Raleigh, North Carolina based firm of LStar Management, a privately held real estate investment firm. “My day job is all about helping families realize the American dream of home ownership, and my weekend passion is racing lawn mowers with my own family.”

Click Here for info on the STA-BIL Series Race at
The Charlotte Motor Speedway April 6 & 7, 2013

The Sullivan family will join other lawn mower racers from across the country to compete in bladeless competition at the “The Greatest Place to See The Race”, Charlotte Motor Speedway. Racing starts at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday April 7.

We realize there is a great deal of information coming out about the Charlotte event, as the April 6th & 7th races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway could be one of the biggest events in USLMRA history! We feel it is a great honor that the folks of the Charlotte Motor Speedway are hosting the USLMRA, and we want to give them the BEST we have to offer. Our goal is to make this weekend memorable for you, and for our event partners.

 Race Info & Schedule
 

 Download & Print (.PDF Link)
 

Please stay tuned to LetsMow.com, as there will be ongoing updates leading up to the weekend. Contact Bruce, Kerry, Manny, or Richard with any questions.

The increasing daylight, warmer temperatures and rebirth of flora and fauna is an annual excuse for lawn mower racers to take their machines like Turfinator, Sodzilla and Lawn Ranger out of the garage onto racing lawn mower tracks from coast to coast.

“Spring is here and it’s time to fire up the racing mowers,” said Bruce Kaufman, “Mr. Mow It All,” USLMRA President. “With STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer® in their gas tanks, the fuel has stayed fresh all winter, so these sod stompers and grass kickers will start the first time, every time. All systems are mow!”

Race dates for the 2013 STA-BIL Lawn & Garden Mower Racing Series include some old favorites such as the annual Huntington’s Disease Race For Research in Grand Rapids and the St. Mary’s County Mow Down in Clements, Maryland along with new venues such as the legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway and Lancaster’s TNT Speedway in Tampico, Illinois.

The 21st STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals national championships will move back two weeks from its’ traditional Labor Day Weekend slot to become part of the Delaware County Fair in Delaware, Ohio on Sept. 14.

Photo Credit: Michael Lilley Photography & Design

Originally airing in March, 2013, “Edge of America – Texas” features members of the Lone Star Lawn Mower Racing Association and Jon “Rooster” Lewman who showed thew world that everything is loud and proud in the great state of Texas – especially the Sod Stompers of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association!

We’ve got lots of photos from the day of filming here.

The Lone Star Mower Racing Association

Calf testicle festivals in Oklahoma … lobster boat races in Maine … tall bike jousting in Oregon … Americans will do just about anything to entertain themselves, and arts and entertainment reporter Geoff Edgers wants to know why we do the things we do in the name of fun.

Edge of America is a thrilling, fast-paced show that follows Geoff Edgers as he investigates his way across the country in search of all-American fun. Journey with Edgers as he immerses himself in American subcultures, and dives head first into the unexpected and bizarre world of entertainment found on the Edge of America.

Tune in or set your DVR to the Travel Channel this Thursday, March 14 at 11:00am ET! Here are some photos from the day of filming:

Fox Sports Net “Race Freaks” features the IMOW Class Championship Race at the 2012 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals, to determine the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association National Lawn Mower Racing Points Championship.

Race results are on MyLaps here. A full list of the 2012 STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series Points Champions are here.

Fox Sports Net “Race Freaks” features a highlights package of the JP, GPK and FXS Class Championship Races at the 2012 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals, to determine the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association National Lawn Mower Racing Points Championships.

Race results are on MyLaps here. A full list of the 2012 STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series Points Champions are here.

MotorWeek is television’s longest running and most respected automotive series. MotorWeek debuted in 1981 and on 89% of PBS stations nationwide, and is the winner of two Emmy awards and dozens of prestigious automotive journalism awards.

Fox Sports Net “Race Freaks” features the GP Class Championship Race at the 2012 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals, to determine the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association National Lawn Mower Racing Points Championship.

Race results are on MyLaps here. A full list of the 2012 STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series Points Champions are here.

Fox Sports Net “Race Freaks” features the CP Class Championship Race at the 2012 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals, to determine the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association National Lawn Mower Racing Points Championship.

Race results are on MyLaps here. A full list of the 2012 STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series Points Champions are here.

With the temperature hovering just above zero on the day before Ground Hog Day, the frigid air smacked U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association sod stomper Mike “Hedge Hog” Miller on the Second Annual “Hedge Hog Day,” as he donned his racing gear and coaxed his 80-mph racing mower “Hedge Hog” from its burrow as the world waited to see if “Hedge Hog” would see his shadow.

After a few hot laps around his frosty backyard, he turned to Bruce Kaufman, “Mr. Mow It All,” U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association President, to translate his prediction as to when he would begin his annual quest for bladeless racing glory. 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 Hedge Hog Day I cannot see,
My shadow cast near me.
So with nerves of steel, fresh fuel and grease,
I shall once again begin the chase.
To stomp the sod and battle the lawn,
To race my mower, hither and yon.
On April Fool’s Day I will begin my quest,
To become Lawn Mower Racing Champion – to be the best.
For 20 years I’ve been rockin’ and mowin’,
I am the HEDGE HOG, and I’m not slowin’!”

Established in 2012, “Hedge Hog Day”, is held the day before the world-famous Ground Hog Day to remind America’s lawn mower racers that the STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Season is fast approaching. At the Inaugural “Hedge Hog Day” in 2012, Miller did not see his shadow. If the “Hedgehog” did see his shadow, he would have returned to his garage to make final preparations for his debut, which would have taken place in the warmth of the summer sun at the annual Huntington’s Disease Race For Research, the third weekend in July in Sparta, Michigan.

The “Hedge Hog” is a 1968 E.T. Rugg, with a 390cc Honda Power motor, that turns 45 horsepower and will go zero to 50 in 5.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 80 mph. Miller built “The Hedgehog” 16 years ago and has piloted his trusty ride to numerous STA-BIL Series victories and championships in his 20-year lawn mower racing career, including an 8th place National Points finish in the 2012 USLMRA STA-BIL Series. Miller began his USLMRA career in 1993 and will mark his 20th consecutive year stomping sod and tearing up turf at races held across the country.

“Hedgehog” is sponsored HEET Gas-Line Antifreeze & Water Remover. 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.

From our understanding, there have been numerous comments about the width of the chassis on the FXS & FXT class mowers. However, after discussing this with several upper class racers we all agree that the width does NOT give an advantage in any way to the driver, it only eliminates the need of adding a third bearing to the jackshaft. So having a frame with of up to 15” in width wouldn’t be a problem.

We have removed the word “and width” from the FXS & FXT Class section to cover this, and will now read as below.

2. CHASSIS: Frames, parts, must retain original manufacturers (OEM) specifications (no chopping) re: wheel base length unless modifications specified in particular class. Material (steel) may be added for structural strength. It is recommended that front axles be bolted or welded rigid eliminating the stock pivoting. No rear engine lawnmowers must be front engine traditional style lawn tractor with a hood covering the engine and rear fenders. No handlebars, to prevent a racer from being pierced in the event of a roll over. All tractors must have been a factory built lawn cutting tractors.

The Rule Book has not changed as we feel this is a minor correction. Click here to view and download the 2013 Rulebook.

DIY Network Cool Tools visited the STA-BIL Sunshine State Winter nationals at the Florida State Fair in Tampa.  Get a taste of the mowtivation and excitement of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association and the STA-BIL Lawn & Garden Mower Racing Series.  Lawn mower racing at its finest.