Midlife Crisis Diary - Lawnmower Racing in 2010 and Beyond
Discussion
So here goes. I have a wonderful family and an itch that has needed to be scratched for many years, which have been in conflict with each other. I was discussing my need to "scratch my itch" with other similar aged chaps who have similar circumstances, it became clear that we all felt the same way, but needed to find an acceptable way to involve the family and still have our fun.
We sat around a barbecue during the summer and I said that we should do Lawnmower racing. The drink was flowing and company was good and a resounding agreement was made (out of earshot of our better halves). We also decided that if we were going to do it, we had to get a reason, so we are going to race for the benefit of The Teenage Cancer Trust and Help for Heroes, with the endurance racing being our focus (6 and 12 hour at least).
3 Weeks ago we took delivery of "Yoda", a group 4 mower which, with correct gearing will take us to around 60-70MPH on the flat of a road, but seeing that we are going to be off road, 50MPH max will be more like it.
The British Lawnmower Racing Association ( www.blmra.co.uk) is where we are going to be registering, and they have seen the likes of Sterling Moss, Oliver Reed and Derek Bell compete in these races over the years.
I plan on providing a running diary of the work we undertake over the winter (team name and colour scheme changes), as well as some details about the consortium of supposedly professional people who are part of the team. If you are interested, please keep checking back and if you are brave, go get a lawnmower and join us!
Here are some photos of our steed in its previous team's ownership.
ROLL ON THE SUMMER!
We sat around a barbecue during the summer and I said that we should do Lawnmower racing. The drink was flowing and company was good and a resounding agreement was made (out of earshot of our better halves). We also decided that if we were going to do it, we had to get a reason, so we are going to race for the benefit of The Teenage Cancer Trust and Help for Heroes, with the endurance racing being our focus (6 and 12 hour at least).
3 Weeks ago we took delivery of "Yoda", a group 4 mower which, with correct gearing will take us to around 60-70MPH on the flat of a road, but seeing that we are going to be off road, 50MPH max will be more like it.
The British Lawnmower Racing Association ( www.blmra.co.uk) is where we are going to be registering, and they have seen the likes of Sterling Moss, Oliver Reed and Derek Bell compete in these races over the years.
I plan on providing a running diary of the work we undertake over the winter (team name and colour scheme changes), as well as some details about the consortium of supposedly professional people who are part of the team. If you are interested, please keep checking back and if you are brave, go get a lawnmower and join us!
Here are some photos of our steed in its previous team's ownership.
ROLL ON THE SUMMER!
Edited by bridgland on Sunday 7th March 11:14
We are a team of 6 people with 3 drivers allowed to race per endurance event. This means that we will no doubt draw straws for the 6 or 12 hour races (but depends on holiday commitments and clashes as well).
The mower is raceable today and built strong for the long distance racing, but looks tired, so we are stripping it down and rebuilding it over the winter. It has so far cost us the princely sum of £1,000 with a whole load of spares thrown in. We will most probably spend another £1,000 roughly through the year in running, van hire, event entrance, barbecue kit, etc. So split between 6 of us, that's just over £300 each.
Now try and find an endurance go kart event and it will be a similar cost if you borrow one of their karts....oh and if we do finally give up, we should get our £1,000 back without too much trouble.
The mower is raceable today and built strong for the long distance racing, but looks tired, so we are stripping it down and rebuilding it over the winter. It has so far cost us the princely sum of £1,000 with a whole load of spares thrown in. We will most probably spend another £1,000 roughly through the year in running, van hire, event entrance, barbecue kit, etc. So split between 6 of us, that's just over £300 each.
Now try and find an endurance go kart event and it will be a similar cost if you borrow one of their karts....oh and if we do finally give up, we should get our £1,000 back without too much trouble.
So after breaking my foot over Christmas and needing to finish off some pressing home projects, my garage now has "the beast" sitting in it, ready for a strip down, sandblast and powdercoat. The engine started first time, but the brakes need a little attention, as they need full pressure to get some level of stopping ability.
The next few nights will be busy, as I pull it apart (taking photos all the time, as it needs to come back together) and get it ready for the powder coating.
The Team colours are going to be in homage to the Brawn GP team, however we will be looking for a few more sponsors, from the start!
The next few nights will be busy, as I pull it apart (taking photos all the time, as it needs to come back together) and get it ready for the powder coating.
The Team colours are going to be in homage to the Brawn GP team, however we will be looking for a few more sponsors, from the start!
Edited by bridgland on Sunday 7th March 11:14
I am finalising the build right now......much to the annoyance it has caused my wife.
Note the colours of Black, White and Flourescent Yellow, as a nod to the Brawn GP team of last year. The bonnet will be getting its stripes and the wheels (see above as the ones on it in the latest picture are the spares) will be going florescent yellow too. The bills have been piling up, but it i still going to be cheaper racing than many other forms of racing. We are just over £2500 of total expense (including helmets, pit tent, tools, etc.), but we have all we need to go racing.
June for the 2 x 3 hours, July/August weekend for the 12 hour (the big one) and finally October for the 6 hour.
I have also done my own calculations and measurements of the pulley sizes, RPM, diff ratio and wheels, and it is geared to hit just over 50MPH at 4500RPM.......across a bumpy field. It is going to be interesting when we use it in anger!
The team will be raising money for charities close to our hearts, Teenage Cancer Trust, Help for Heroes and Childline. We will send out links for anyone interested in sponsoring "BRAUN GP (Gardening Professionals)".
Edited by bridgland on Tuesday 11th May 13:54
Edited by bridgland on Tuesday 1st June 20:31
For anyone interested in the Racing Associations and the BLMRA's schedule for this year (there is a World Championship too!), here goes: -
The British Lawnmower Racing Association (BLMRA) based un the South of England- http://www.blmra.co.uk
The North West Lawnmower Racing Assosciation (NWLMRA) - http://nwlmra.org/
May 2nd, 3rd Rounds 1 & 2 Hampshire Country Show
May 15th, 16th Rounds 3 & 4 Reservoir Dip
June 5th, 6th Rounds 5 & 6 Hamstreet Country Fayre
June 12th, 13th Rounds 7 & 8 BMF GEMS Show
June 26th, 27th Double 3 Hour Edurance
July 3rd, 4th Rounds 9 & 10 Heddington and Stockley Steam Rally
July 31st, August 1st 12 Hour Endurance
August 14th, 15th Rounds 11 & 12 Rusper Raceway
August 29th, 30th Rounds 13 & 14 Eye Show
September 4th, 5th Rounds 15 & 16 The Great Maze
September 18th, 19th World Championships
October 2rd, 3th Rounds 17 & 18 Hertfordshire Game & Country Show
October 8th, 9th NWLMRA 6 Hour Endurance
October 16th, 17th The Bat & Ball & Grasscutters Ball
The British Lawnmower Racing Association (BLMRA) based un the South of England- http://www.blmra.co.uk
The North West Lawnmower Racing Assosciation (NWLMRA) - http://nwlmra.org/
May 2nd, 3rd Rounds 1 & 2 Hampshire Country Show
May 15th, 16th Rounds 3 & 4 Reservoir Dip
June 5th, 6th Rounds 5 & 6 Hamstreet Country Fayre
June 12th, 13th Rounds 7 & 8 BMF GEMS Show
June 26th, 27th Double 3 Hour Edurance
July 3rd, 4th Rounds 9 & 10 Heddington and Stockley Steam Rally
July 31st, August 1st 12 Hour Endurance
August 14th, 15th Rounds 11 & 12 Rusper Raceway
August 29th, 30th Rounds 13 & 14 Eye Show
September 4th, 5th Rounds 15 & 16 The Great Maze
September 18th, 19th World Championships
October 2rd, 3th Rounds 17 & 18 Hertfordshire Game & Country Show
October 8th, 9th NWLMRA 6 Hour Endurance
October 16th, 17th The Bat & Ball & Grasscutters Ball
You have no idea how much this is going to hurt 
Good luck but honestly, motorcross is less physical
Where are you based, we're only 10 minutes from Brinsbury (don't even know if it's there this year, they've just ploughed the field is was on recently) if you need anyhting fabricating, although you'll have you own welding plant for race night I assume
Good luck but honestly, motorcross is less physical
Where are you based, we're only 10 minutes from Brinsbury (don't even know if it's there this year, they've just ploughed the field is was on recently) if you need anyhting fabricating, although you'll have you own welding plant for race night I assume
Well, it's not far off being finished. I have to fill in the side protection, so people can't get themselves caught up in it if it flips, and I also need to add some mudflaps/rubber wheel arches. Here is is from today. Also going to use the filled in side pod to be the place where we will be boldly putting our new Braun GP logo (See below too), or anyone who wants to sponsor us.
Edited by bridgland on Sunday 23 May 22:38
Edited by bridgland on Sunday 30th May 12:22
Here is the completed machine, ready for it's first race on the 26th June in Rudgwick, West Sussex, for the double 3 hour race. It had its first real drive today and although it takes off slowly with its centrifugal clutch due t that tall pulley ratios (like a go kart), it gets some speed up reasonable quickly. It doesn't like bumps so it is no doubt going to be a handful.
If you want more information on the events, or feel like turning up to witness the marvel of Lawn Mower Racing go to http://www.blmra.co.uk.
If you want more information on the events, or feel like turning up to witness the marvel of Lawn Mower Racing go to http://www.blmra.co.uk.
First race is this coming Saturday near in Naldretts Lane, Rudgwick, West Sussex , RH12 3BU (on the road from Horsham to Guildford). See the BLMRA web site for details. http://www.blmra.co.uk.
I have been asked by a couple of people to post some of the build photos, so here you are.
Here is the pile of bits before....
And here is how it came back together....
I have been asked by a couple of people to post some of the build photos, so here you are.
Here is the pile of bits before....
And here is how it came back together....
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