NASCAR for Rednecks

It's a funny thing, lawnmower racing. Although it seems to be a joke, the people that participate in races take it very seriously. Some spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their riding mowers to shave seconds off lap-times. Even stranger than the intensity of the participants, is how lawnmower racing started in North America.

The U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association, or USLMRA, was all supposed to be a joke. It was actually a publicity ploy set up by Gold Eagle Co. to promote their fuel stabilizer, STA-BIL, for April Fools' Day, and was never intended to catch on and be an annual thing. The event was a huge success, and lawn mower racing has become very popular.

When it began in 1992, the USLMRA was an annual event for modified mowers. Today, there are over 20 regional lawn mower racing leagues, and race categories from stock mowers available at home and garden centres, to heavily modified lawn mowers capable of speeds over 80 mph. There is even a category for kids only.

The success of this pseudo-event is massive. Thousands come out every year to watch and compete in the races. The national races have been covered by news stations such as CNN and CBS, and has been featured on many sports shows. The name STA-BIL is cleverly attached to every event, and everything to do with the events. The official rules state that the only fuel additive allowed is STA-BIL fuel stabilizer, further publicizing the product. TV shows such as ABC's Home Improvement have featured races and the STA-BIL name in episodes, and even Mattel made a Hot Wheels "Home Improvement Action Pack" that contained a scale version of the jet-powered lawn mower that Tim Allan raced. Again, the STA-BIL logo was printed all over the packaging and product.

Today, nearly 18 years after the first race, the events still get tons of publicity. The STA-BIL name is now permanently attached to lawn mower racing; the two pretty well go hand in hand.

Good job, Gold Eagle Co.'s PR people!