Here to Help: Lawnmower Racing

Lawnmowers usually try for chequerboard-straight strips. These ones follow the racing line. Starting at 17cc, the vehicles of The Western Australian Mower Racing Association (WAMRA) top out at 450cc.

Tuned for the track, the smaller capacity engines are quick, and the bigger ones can hit 110kph. No blades and, sometimes, no brakes.

The only thing mower racing has in common with gardening is protective gloves.

The club has grown to 32 members and is run by Jordan Lynch.

Jordan’s wife, Justine, is club secretary. She describes the most common injuries:

“Small, little burns on legs from exhaust pipes or them touching motors when they’re trying to hold on for dear life.”

This is motorsport, though, and accidents happen.

On a winter weekend in Pinjarra, paramedics from St John WA were standing by.

They weren’t needed — nor were WAMRA’s trained first aiders, the St John First Aid Kits in the clubroom, or the defibrillator on the oval next door.

The only damage was to fairings and foot pedals.

Jordan knows how important the club is to its members. He talks about their diversity, and WAMRA’s work with the NDIS.

It’s clear he sees it as more than just a racing association.

The group has become as much about community as competition. Keeping it running is a big responsibility, but he says:

“We’ve always got support if we need.”