Turning weekend chore into a competitive sport

Two local groups are ready to give spectators some fun in the mud, along with gear head action. The Aroostook County Mud Runners are working cooperatively to introduce the newest summer adult motor sport to the area, lawn mower racing.     Lawnmower races have been around the nation for some time and have been a venue at the Houlton State Agricultural Fair for youth. But, Brent Estabrook is ready to put adults into action.
“Last year, some friends and I got together and decided we were going to race lawnmowers at my house,” he recalled. “The interest for public racing grew from there. People asked if they could bring their lawnmowers out to my house and race.”
Some known area drivers in this sport are Jimmy Woods, who possess the traveling trophy of the Estabrook Fall Classic and Levi Cyr.
Estabrook and company wanted a bigger and better venue than racing around his pond to accommodate everyone.
“We hooked up with the Aroostook County Mud Runners and we set up a track that takes up most of the old soccer field beside the mud pit in Hodgdon,” he said.
Lawnmower races will be held June 20 and August 22, along with a July 18 tentative race.
“We will see how the first race goes before settling on the 18th,” said Estabrook. “We will see what type of crowd we draw.”
However, the group will be at the Houlton State Agricultural Fair, racing on July 4.
“We will probably draw 12 to 15 mowers,” estimated Estabrook.
Estabrook is hoping that people don’t overlook the fun in the competition.
“Everyone has a lawnmower,” he said. “Everyone has driven one. Basically, it’s about making a lawnmower faster, while having fun on them.”
After all, the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) motto is: “We turn a weekend chore into a competitive sport.”
The lawnmower races will have three classes: stock, take the blades off used Friday night and bring down the tractor to race on Saturday; Pro stock, the basic mower but a change in pulleys and belts and modified, keep it looking like a lawnmower.
“In the pro stock, we do minor engine modifications,” said Estabrook. “We change pulleys and belts. The mowers can run 30 miles per hour on a straightaway. But, to be competitive, you don’t have to do 30 miles per hour. The modified, put a snowsled engine on the frame, be creative. You can add a 500cc snowsled or dirt bike engine. Just keep them looking like lawnmowers.”
But, safety is always first.
“We will have safety tethers on the mower and spring return throttles,” said Estabrook. “The track will have tires all around it for barriers, and there will be no alcoholic beverages allowed.
“It’s an inexpensive sport,” said Estabrook. “In today’s economy, you look to have fun the cheapest way possible. The cost would be the biggest thing that turns people onto this sport. You don’t have thousands of dollars wrapped up into something that is competitive.”