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.

The United States Lawn Mower Racing Association has announced the U.S. Pacific Coast Open lawn mower races Saturday-Sunday, July 2nd and 3rd in Estacada, Oregon.

Estacada Area Community Events (EACE) and the USLMRA will present two days of racing mowers as part of the annual 4th of July Festival in Estacada, Oregon. Race mowers will compete at speeds of up to 50mph with cutting blades removed on a custom-built lawn mower racing track in Estacada, located about 33 miles from the Portland airport.

“All racing mowers are invited to join the fun,” said USLMRA Founder & President Bruce Kaufman, also known as “Mr. Mow It All.” “This event is an expansion of our successful U.S. Open Racing Series, which allows race mowers from various organizations and independent groups to participate in safe, sanctioned and fun lawn mower racing.”

“I’ve been to Estacada for a site inspection, and I can say this event is going to kick grass!” said Bud Elmore, President of the Pacific Coast Lawn Mower Racing Association. “I met with the Mayor and some City Council members and then attended an EACE Board Of Directors meeting. The folks in Estacada are jacked up for this event and promise a great track and super hospitality. There are lawn mower racing clubs in California, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Washington and we welcome everybody. The mow the merrier!”

The U.S. Pacific Coast Open marks the USLMRA’s return to the Pacific Coast and the Pacific Northwest Region. “We’ve raced in Washington at the Skagit County Fair in Mt. Vernon (1998) and along California’s Pacific Cost at the Santa Cruz County Fair in Watsonville (1997), but this is our fist event in the great state of Oregon,” added Kaufman. “Now, the Beaver State is gong to be on the cutting edge of motorsports this 4th of July Weekend.”

Estacada Area Events and Estacada’s mayor, The Hon. Becky Arnold, have wholeheartedly embraced this event and EACE will be creating a custom, purpose-built track for both the U.S. Pacific Coast Open and future USLMRA Affiliated Club Racing in Estacada.

The US Pacific Coast Open is an extension of the U.S. Open Racing Program, based on the success of the inaugural U.S. Open held during the 2010 STA-BIL Nationals Weekend. The U.S. Pacific Coast Open is the first stop on the rapidly expanding U.S. Open Racing Series, which will bring Open Races to venues across America.

Two days of USLMRA-Sanctioned and Open Class lawnmower racing will bring together lawn mower racers from across the West. Plus, USLMRA will be offering tow money for racers to help with travel expenses.

“We are continuing to expand our appeal to more racers outside of the USLMRA and create Open Races,” said Kaufman. “The U.S. Pacific Coast Open will afford a wide range of lawnmower racers an opportunity to compete in either in an Open format or as part of the STA-BIL Lawn & Garden Mower Racing Series – US National Points Race Circuit. Racers competing in Estacada can qualify for the 2011 STA-BIL Keeps Gas Fresh Finals. There are plenty of options for all racers, and a great way to celebrate during the long 4th of July Weekend.”

The U.S. Pacific Coast Open is a free event for racers. Racers will pay no race fees, USLMRA membership is not required to participate, but will definitely be appreciated. 1st-5th Place trophies will be awarded in both Open and STA-BIL Series Classes.

The U.S. Pacific Coast Open will have full-computerized Timing & Scoring provided by EOP Pro Event Timing & Scoring. There will be no transponder fees.

Racers will not have to make technical modifications to their machines in order to compete in the U.S. Pacific Coast Open. The races are open to any mower deemed safe by USLMRA Tech Staff and that meet all USLMRA Safety Standards, see USLMRA Rule Book.

Class Designation / Groupings

Goal: We want ALL groups out there to be allowed to compete in the U.S. Pacific Coast Open. We have created a set of rules designed to allow just about any reasonable type of mower to compete.

Please review rules below.

Sanctioned Classes (USLMRA rules apply)

• JP (Kids Super Stock)
• IMOW (Adult Super Stock)
• AP (Mini Sportsman)
• SP (Sportsman)
• CP (Mod X)
• BP (Super Sportsman)
• FX (Pro X)

Open Classes (rules below)

• U.S. Open Kids Stock (5mph max.)
• U.S. Open Super Stock (Un-governed Single FH or OHV and Shiftable Transaxle or transmission only)
• U.S. Open Single
• U.S. Open Twins

(Open) Class Safety Gear Rules

1. Every driver must wear an automobile racing or motorcycle-type full-face helmet
2. approved by the U. S. Department of Transportation or the Snell Foundation.
3. The helmet must fit snugly and be securely buckled when driver is on the track.
4. Goggles or a face shield are required. Glasses are not adequate protection.
5. All drivers must wear long pants, long sleeved shirt, neck brace, full-fingered gloves
   and leather over the ankle footwear on the track. Chest protectors and other anti-abrasive
   suits are highly recommended. No loose clothing on the track.

(Open) Class Mower Rules

1. Mower must use lawn mower 4 cycle motor.
2. Must have brakes that work.
3. Must have a commercially available working tethered kill switch.
4. All throttle return must be double spring on the carburetor.
5. No sharp or protruding unsafe sheet metal or objects.
6. Tire choice is open for US Pacific Coast Open Classes
7. Bumpers are allowed but not required.
8. Must have a deck.
9. Must use pump or race fuel, no alcohol or methanol.

More U.S. Pacific Coast Open Information

• U.S. Pacific Coast Open
• Estacada Area Events
• Estacada 4th of July

The Placer County Fair was June 24-27 at the Placer County Fairgrounds, and lawnmower races took place Saturday and Sunday, with other highlights including Mixed Martial Arts, a Monster Truck and Tractor Pull, Demolition Derby and hypnotist, happening through the weekend as well. The races were run by our own Pacific Coast Lawn Mower Racing Association.

YouTube User wmspencer caught this racing action on video:

Sacramento Channel 3 KCRA also took some live video… click here to view it.

For more information on the Pacific Coast Lawn Mower Racing Association, or to get involved in California’s racing mower groups, contact Bud Elmore.

The Placer County Fair is this weekend in Roseville, California! The Sacramento Bee had this to say:

Exhibition lawn-mower racing will be a featured event three times daily Saturday and Sunday at the Placer County Fair in Roseville. There will be 10 riders from Northern California competing for bragging rights. Those riders include Wes Laster and Chris Ostatnik of Sacramento.

The world-record speed on a modified lawn mower is 87 mph, set last month in England. At that speed, mowing a good-sized yard could be done during a commercial break of your favorite ballgame. Alas, the blades of the racing mowers are removed for obvious safety reasons. Kaufman said speeds during the exhibition races should exceed 40 mph.

The original engines in the mowers are used and can be heavily modified within the specifications of the classes. The USLMRA has seven classes from stock to factory experimental, which feature 465cc engines that put out as much as 14 horsepower, Kaufman said.

You can find the Placer County Fairgrounds at 800 All America City Blvd. in Roseville, CA – and this year, admission is free!

For more information on the Pacific Coast Lawn Mower Racing Association, or to get involved in California’s racing mower groups, contact Bud Elmore.

The Placer County Fair will be held June 24-27 at the Placer County Fairgrounds, and this year, admission is free! Lawnmower races will take place Saturday and Sunday, with other highlights including Mixed Martial Arts, a Monster Truck and Tractor Pull, Demolition Derby and hypnotist, happening through the weekend as well.

From the Roseville Press-Tribune:

“We had to tweak the entertainment, we had to give people a reason to come here besides the free gate and actually have fun when they get here,” she said. “We had to do something different and that’s where the lawnmower races came from.”

Racers in the competitive lawnmower circuit (yes, it’s a competitive sport) will participate in an exhibition during the fair, showing off supped-up riding mowers with their blades detached.

You can find the Placer County Fairgrounds at: 800 All America City Blvd. in Roseville, CA, 95678, or you can reach them by phone at (916) 786-2023.

For more information on the Pacific Coast Lawn Mower Racing Association, or to get involved in California’s racing mower groups, contact Bud Elmore.