CLUB OF THE WEEK: Lawn Mower Racing Association

What's got four wheels, can blat around all day on just $10 worth of gas and kicks serious grass?
A lawn mower racer, that's what.
The unusual sport of lawn mower racing is growing more popular by the day and the country's only official lawn mower racing association is based right here in the Bay.
Despite its name, a lawn mower racer can't actually be used to keep down the daisies while racing.
That's because mower blades have been removed from the beneath the machines to make racing safer and faster, although their engines have been modified so racers can't travel at speeds of more than 50km/h.
The standards have been created by the Bay of Plenty Lawn Mower Racing Association - an incorporated society complete with a website, an elected committee and enough members to make for a great day's racing.
Before the association was formally established a year ago, there were already several people in the region getting into the sport, secretary Barry Dawe said.
"But as it started to grow the need was seen to put the club on an official level, to portray the commitment and professionalism of its members to the community.
"It also meant that we can now organise and run events in the public domain with liability insurance and safety plans."
The other impetus for forming the association was to draw up classes and rules for races to equal the playing field between racers.
"Basically we are all about having lots of fun racing in a cost effective way," Mr Dawe said. "All we need is a paddock or field and we can run an event."
The association aimed to race at least one event each month but, without a permanent home in the Bay, this meant travelling across the North Island.
"We would very much like to grow the club and get a permanent track where we can race.
"We are currently in the process of setting up a national association in conjunction with other clubs.
"This will allow all clubs to run the same rules and make racing more competitive - then we hope our club will be the home of the national champion."
Mr Dawe said the association could boast New Zealand's fastest mowers and held all of the trophies from events at Manfeild, Rotorua, Omokoroa and the Fieldays.
"We also encourage younger members to join and we have a special class set up for them.
"The skills they learn racing carry through to make them better drivers on the road. We are a friendly club and we are all very happy to share our knowledge to avoid the pitfalls when you start racing.
"We offer great camaraderie and lots of good racing at a low budget.
"We also share knowledge freely as we want all members to have fun and not spend all their time on the side line.
"We are very lucky to have a great bunch of people. Where else can you roar around a grass paddock all day on 10 bucks' gas, have a barbecue and a chat then go home?"
The association's next race will be at the Rotorua A&P show this weekend, where more than 20 Bay of Plenty lawn mower racers took to the grass last year.
People keen to find out for themselves what lawnmower racing is all about - or those who can provide a home for the association - were encouraged to visit the association's website, www.boplmrc.co.nz.
THE DETAILS
Name: Bay of Plenty Lawn Mower Racing Association.
Number of members: 15 and growing.
Established: 2010.
How often it meets: The association aims to race at events across the country at least once a month - but events may be held if it can secure a permanent home in the Bay.