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SUNNY Temp: 36 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Monday, October 14, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 29, 2002 Don Kidd, foreground, of Glide takes on Greg Van Veghel of Eagle Point on the 300-foot drag strip during Saturday�s lawn mower races at the 12th annual Harvest Fair and Microbrew Festival. Kidd says his souped-up mower can hit 60 mph. Click the photo to see a larger (30k) version. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven ‘Motorheads’ race their tricked-out grass-cutters today in the lawn mower race at the Harvest Fair By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Don Kidd has won many races with his riding lawn mower, "Outlaw." "It’ll go 60. It’s definitely been modified," said Kidd, 53, a self-described "motorhead" who competes in several statewide races each year. "Outlaw" has borrowed some parts from other machines, such as motorcycles and cars, he said. "I just hope it stays together," he said. Kidd, a member of the Glide Lawnmower Team from Glide, was one of about 25 entrants at the second lawn mower race to be held at the 12th annual Harvest Fair and Microbrew Festival at the Jackson County Fairgrounds Exposition Park going on this weekend. From livestock exhibits and wildlife displays to grape stomping and husband calling, the two-day fair offers exhibits, demonstrations and events for all ages. Demonstrations include wood carving, weaving and leather craft, and visitors are sure to run into Annie the Clown and Gary the Balloon Man. From John Deeres and JC Penney Grass Handlers to riding mowers modified beyond recognition named "Mowdacious," mowers of all shapes, sizes and colors lined up Saturday, engines revving, to take part in the 300-foot drag race. Greg Van Veghel, a member of the Southern Oregon Lawn Mower Association, is one of the organizers of this year’s event. "It’s a great low-dollar family sport," said Van Veghel, 50, of Eagle Point. The entry fee is $5 to $10, and mowers can cost a few hundred bucks, he said. Van Veghel said the sport, which he believes began in the Midwest about 25 years ago, has caught on in England and New Zealand. "I’ve been doing it since it first started in the Rogue Valley in Eagle Point eight years ago," he said. The event is so popular that Joe Chartier drove 750 miles from Anaheim, Calif., to take part. "This is kind of my first venture," he mumbled from beneath his malfunctioning mower, wrench in hand. Van Veghel said the sport has just a few regulations. The mower must originally have been designed and sold commercially to mow lawns, and must remain suitable for grass cutting, although the cutting blades must be removed for racing for safety. The tinkerer-attracting sport has four categories, said Van Veghel. There’s stock class, which is "off the rack," he said — these mowers travel their normal speed, which is about 4 or 5 mph. Then there’s A Modified, which has been mildly modified for speed, B Modified, which has been wildly modified and can zoom up to 45 mph, and Super Modified, which can use parts from nonmower machines, he said. Lee Wade, the grandfather in a three-generation lawn-mower racing family, said he likes the light atmosphere, and helpful attitudes of fellow racers. "When you get on the starting line, it’s serious. The rest of the time it’s fun," said Wade, of Phoenix. "You’re all friends, right up to the flag drop." Lee’s wife, Ruth, races, as does their son, David Wade, and his children, Dylan, 9, and Kristen, 7. "You race only for bragging rights and a trophy," said Wade, whose mower can go up to 30 mph. "There is no prize money." There’s only one downside. Kidd said his machines no longer assist in landscaping. "They haven’t cut grass in years," he said. Visit the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association, which has mottos like "the mower the merrier," at www.letsmow.com . Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S