The first annual lawnmower race at the Mesa County Fair in Grand Junction, Colorado was covered by KJCT Channel 8:

Partnering with the the Western Slope Lawnmower Racing Association, the Mesa County Career Center provided some entertainment for folks at the fair.

“It’s affordable, fun, and the whole family can do it,” Deen said.

A family affair, for sure. “My son is riding in the race, we’re cheering him on,” Denise Brown added.

But this race has a much deeper meaning. While it may all be fun and games right now, organizers hope in the future it will bring in some proceeds that will give back to the community.

“We’re hoping to be able to put the proceeds back into our club, to sponsor some kids who don’t have as many resources,” Tammy Gribble said.

She helps teach an engine repair class to high-schoolers at the Career Center. A class where kids get real hands on experience.

“It’s very important to help teenagers get a head start in life,” Deen said.

To read the rest of the article, and to watch a brief video of the racing action, head to KJCT’s website.

Saturday, June 12th marked the opening of the second season for the Intermountain Mower Racing Association, a U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association affiliate. The Standard-Examiner in Ogden, Utah had this to say:

While sports fans around the globe sat in their cozy homes watching the opening round of the World Cup, a different group of enthusiasts braved the weather to race yard-care equipment around a makeshift track inside the dusty arena.

“This is real huge back East,” event organizer and Intermountain Mower Racing Association (IMRA) Chapter President Mike Hudson said. “But this is pretty new to everyone around here.

Also from the article, written Monday, June 14th by Gentry Reinhart:

There was no prize money, no trophies or medals for the placing racers, but the camaraderie was evident throughout the afternoon, with each team helping each other with push starts, lending a hand with the choke, or just grabbing a hot dog.

“Everybody’s kind of starting from scratch, but they’re definitely stepping it up a notch,” Hudson said. “It’s pretty cheap to get a mower ready to race though, and I think it’s going to catch on.”

Hudson’s optimism was shared by virtually everyone who attended Saturday’s race.

That and being handy with a wrench are the main reasons he’s the man you want to talk to in Northern Utah if you need help with your lawnmower … especially if you plan on racing it.

Read the whole piece here.

The Intermountain Lawn Racing Association (IMLMRA), an Affiliated Club of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA), will host its season opener on Saturday, June 12, 2:00 p.m. at the Rodeo Arena, 21060 North 5200 West, Plymouth, Utah.

Admission is $4.00, and free for children 12 and under. The Rodeo Arena will serve as the IMLMRA home which plans to host ten Club races June through September.

“We are very excited to be offering such a unique motor sport opportunity to the racing enthusiasts of Plymouth and surrounding communities,” said Intermountain Lawn Racing Association Chapter President Mike Hudson. ” Come one, come all! If you have a riding lawn mower sitting in your garage just waiting to become a racing mowchine, we welcome you to come out and join us for some high speed action – with cutting blades removed of course.”

The Intermountain Lawn Racing Association is one of four turf busting Clubs in Utah, including the Utah State Lawnmower Racing Association (Spanish Fork), the Wasatch Sod Slingers (Ogden), and the Black Rock Rye Cutters (Meadow). In addition the Western Slope Lawn Mower Racing Association is based in Grand Junction, Colorado.

For mow information, please contact Mike Hudson at 435-230-0161 or visit tractorandequipmentservice.com.

Mesa County Valley School District 51 in Grand Junction, CO has a Recreational Vehicle Repair program – a group of students actively involved in the repair and maintenance of all types of small engine vehicles including Go-Karts, dirt bikes, ATV’s and riding lawn mowers for the public. The school district’s website writes:

This group of students, along with their teacher Mr. Jim Pittsenbarger, was immediately interested in joining a national club when they became aware of it.

“Just before Christmas 2009, we contacted the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association and found out there is only one other chapter in Colorado, and nowhere near us,” said Tammy Gribble, instructional assistant for the Recreational Vehicle Repair program. They also discovered that they would be the first student-involved chapter in Colorado. “Working on mowers and then getting to race your final product is what it’s all about here. It’s a nice friendly challenge among us students,” says Justin Brown, sophomore at Central High School.

The Western Slope Lawn Mower Racing Association is now recognized nationally.

To read more about The Western Slope Lawn Mower Racing Association, including their mission statement, head over to the District 51 website.

Grand Junction’s NBC 11 News also chimed in:

When a local teacher wanted to find a new way for his students to learn, he found his answer in an unlikely place: lawn mower racing. Now, he and his students say they’re ready to help the sport take the Grand Valley by storm.

Read the rest of the article on the NBC 11 website.