How to Make a Racing Lawnmower

Posted: Dec 02, 2009 | Comments: 0 | Views: 110 | Bookmark and Share

Mower racing is a very addicting sport. The excitement that you will feel prior to racing is the same as the excitement that you will feel when you are racing cars or motorcycles. It’s amazing! That’s probably one reason why people want to know how to make a racing lawnmower.

If you’ve ever imagined yourself being in a race while mowing your lawn, then you are definitely into mower racing. The land speed record for racing mowers is more than 80mph. Imagine mowing your lawn at even half that speed; you would be done in a flash.

When I first got introduced to this sport, I was completely amazed! Not by the drivers but by the mowers. If I didn’t see a race, I couldn’t have imagined my mower drifting on the tracks. I got hooked the very first time I watched a mower racing, and I’m confident you will too.

Now you may be asking yourself how to make a racing lawnmower.  And, wondering if that old JD in the garage would work. It really is easy.  I don encourage you to keep these things in mind before you buy, or start tinkering with your old mower.

The make and age of your mower is an important factor. If your mower is as old as you, you might have difficulty looking for spare parts. Same is true if you have a unique brand of mower. The preferred engines of mower racers are Briggs and Stratton and Tecumseh. But some like Hondas too.

Spare parts are vital in order to make a racing lawnmower as well as maintain one. And since the machine get a little banged up on the track, replacement parts will be critical once you start mower racing.  

Your driving skills and interest in the sport are also an important factor. Do you get nervous when other cars pass you by? Do you feel uncomfortable at high speeds? Can you park? These questions assess your driving skills and are important for your safety and for the safety of others.

Are you a naturally born mower racer? Again, if you imagine yourself racing while mowing your lawn at 5mph, then you are into mower racing and you are interested in it.

There’s one more thing that you need to know before you go out to make a racing lawnmower, and that is the different mower racing divisions/classes. You will have to determine which class you want to be part of first before modifying your mower.

Different classes have different modification mower rules. Sanctioning bodies are very strict on this, so it is best to do your research to avoid having to redo or repay for parts and modifications.

If you are new to mower racing, you might want to join stock races first just to get the hang of it, and then work your way up to the advanced classes.

To make a racing lawnmower that will withstand the punishment or a full race consider the following at a minimum:

Chassis: Make it rigid enough to withstand mower racing conditions. Racing terrains become especially tough at the end of lap races when the track is more rutted.

Weight: Just like race cars; the lighter it is, the faster it goes. Remove as many parts as you can to get pounds off your mower.

Steering: Factory class mowers are not designed for racing and their steering can only handle tight turns at 5mph.  Modifying the caster settings, steering rods fit, and gear driven steering system will keep you out of the hay bales.

These are the just the basics in order to make a racing lawnmower fit for the track. There are lots of modifications and tricks that you can do to make your mower faster and easier to handle, but for now, go get some mower racing experience first.

(ArticlesBase SC #1529597)

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