Lawn mower racing brings sport back to regional WA town Greenbushes, as riders test speeds

Organisers say the popularity of lawn mower racing is growing.  (ABC South West WA: Sam Bold)

For safety reasons, lawn mowers are designed to be on the slower side, used for the monotonous task of yard maintenance. 

But if you remove the blades and swap the engine out for a motorbike's, you have a racing machine that can fit in the back of your station wagon.

On the grounds of an unused cricket club in the small town of Greenbushes, in south west WA, hundreds of people have turned out to watch the peculiar sport of ride-on lawn mower racing. 

Riders say mowing the lawn is never the same after participating in a race.  (ABC South West WA: Sam Bold)

'A whole lot of fun' 

Organisers Roger Sumner and Steve Dowling said what started out as four friends "having a crack" had turned into a popular motorsport event with about 20 entrants.

"You pack a road bike motor into a light-framed mower and let it have it, it's a whole lot of fun."

Organisers say the event is perfect for the whole family.  (ABC South West WA: Sam Bold)

Colourful cones mark out a circuit of tight corners, which competitors do four laps of, whipping up plenty of dust along the way — much to the enjoyment of the crowd.

The Greenbushes event had six different classes, which included 'Class A 450cc' and a ladies' race.

WA's fastest mower?

Andrew Manning says he built his racing mower from the ground up.  (ABC South West WA: Sam Bold)

Andrew Manning, who won the Class A division, said he modified his mower in his shed after watching an event in Harvey. 

"Definitely got a passion for it now, it's cool that it's something I've built.

"It's potentially the fastest lawn mower in Western Australia."

Despite his success, Mr Manning said he still hated mowing the lawn.

Sport is back

Mr Dowling said Greenbushes used to be a sport-rich town but numbers had dwindled, leading to club closures.

"There's not much going on as far as sport goes," he said. 

The Western Australian Mower Racing Association (WAMRA) was formed in 2016 to capitalise on growing interest in the sport.

It joins communities of mower racers in the rest of Australia and all over the world.

Fun aside, WAMRA acknowledges the sport can be dangerous, with its official rule book warning there is a risk of serious injury.

The event was held on an old cricket ground in Greenbushes. (ABC South West WA: Sam Bold)

Mr Manning said he was hoping to travel to South Australia to compete in other races.

"The lawn mower fits in the back of my station wagon so me and a mate are going to cruise over there," he said.