How about this: When the founders formed America in 1776, they didn't think lawn mower racing would flourish in their great experiment. But the sport is surely everything in spirit that they could have wanted for the nation.
And you can watch what might be the pinnacle of our democracy for free next weekend: The United States Lawn Mower Racing Association 2019 season opener in Alpharetta.
Kerry Evans, USLMRA president, said he expects between 80 and 100 racers to compete with their customized rides over Friday and Saturday. He said he and the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau have been planning the event for two years.
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Evans spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution over the phone Wednesday from his shop in Mobile, Alabama.
Evans said he expects riders to come from within Georgia but also from farther away places like Connecticut, Iowa, Oklahoma and Michigan. He said one person is traveling from Hampshire, England.
You know that kid down the street who used to cut the grass? This ain’t that.
Evans said some of the riders in the junior division can hit 20 mph, and some of the adults can exceed 50 mph coming out of a 175-foot straightaway.
There are 10 divisions, some of which allow parents and children to customize one lawn mower together and have them both race it separately so everyone gets an experience.
He said all eligible lawn mowers must have been able to cut grass when they were purchased. And there are two required safety stipulations: the blade has to be removed, and a kill-switch tether must be attached to the rider.
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Evans explained that the first USLMRA race was a publicity stunt for STA-BIL fuel additive on April Fools’ Day 1992. After seeing how much people liked it, the company kept it going.
Now, there are 50 local chapters and about 800 riders compete in 250 annual races across the nation, Evans said.
“We just mowing and growing,” he said.
Evans said the first heats begin at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday next weekend, but he suggested people show up for the main event at 6 p.m. each day. The events will be held at Wills Park Equestrian Center, 11915 Wills Road.
(If you're still confused by all this, here is the USLMRA's YouTube channel.)
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