Grass is greener on the mower racing circuit

THE sound of revving engines will echo in Mia Mia on Saturday 26 October when members of the Australian Ride On Lawn Mower Racing Association race at the Recreation Reserve.

Money raised at the event will be shared between the rec reserve, the Mia Mia Cricket Club and Mia Mia CFA.

“We have been trying to organise an event in the area for about eight years,” said Dylan Mercieca who has been racing for nine years.

“The recreation reserve committee have been great in letting us hold it.

“We are also grateful to all the sponsors Roughly Excavation, Castlemaine Hire, Check Book Racing, 40s Clean Cut Gardening and Firewood Sales, RoughCox Adventures, Mia Mia Cricket Club, Mia Mia CFA, Mia Mia Recreation Reserve, HGSS, Boltons Kyneton, Benny’s Contracting, Elders Kyneton, Nutrien Kyneton, Rural and Outdoors Castlemaine, Bursons Kyneton, Bennett Rodeo and House of Doughnuts.”

The Australian Ride On Lawn Mower Racing Association began in 1988. The first race was held after five men in a small country pub in Harrietville challenged each other to a race around the local hills.

These days the AROLMRA is a non-profit organisation, run primarily for racing enthusiasts and their friends while raising funds for community organisations.

“It is a unisex family sport,” said Mr Mercieca. “We have raised money for all sorts of community organisations including the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“The youngest competitor is five years old and the oldest is in his seventies. We also have people in wheelchairs who race.”

Mr Mercieca races with his wife Tracey and their three children aged 12, 14 and 19.

“We all enjoy it and have done well this year,” he said.

“Nathan won the Australian titles in his grade, Tracey was the fastest female, my daughter was second in her grade and I was the fastest qualifier in E Grade.

“The classes range from 10cc up to 450cc with the modified mowers reaching speeds of up to 110 kilometres per hour.

“We would love to see lots of locals come along and support us on the day and hope to make this an annual event.”

Gates at the rec reserve will open at 9.30am with racing to start at 10am. Admission is by gold coin donation and there will be a raffle and food available.