Lawnmower Racing Display Competition
Take a regular ride-on mower, strip it back, and get ready to race! Lawn Mower Racing is all about speed and fun, as competitors zoom around a track on customised machines. It’s light-hearted and entertaining.
Competition Regulations
For the conduct of competitions at New South Wales Agricultural Shows & Affiliated Agricultural Shows
These rules and regulations outline the minimum standards required for organisers wishing to conduct a Lawn Mower Race under the AgShows NSW Insurance program. Any additional rules must comply with relevant legislation (e.g. WHS or SafeWork). These rules aim to improve safety, education, competition, and skill development.
Purpose
The purpose of these Rules is to:
- Provide for the safe conduct of lawn mower racing in Australia;
- Specify mower requirements for each category
- Ensure a safe environment for attendees;
- Maintain the sport as a competitive, family-friendly activity.
Definitions
Driver: A competitor in any event.
Event: Any competition, practice, or demonstration.
Helmet: Full-face or motocross-style motorcycle helmet, or race car driver helmet.
Intoxication: Being affected by drugs/alcohol (excluding prescribed medicines used as directed).
Motor: Internal combustion engine operated by any permitted fuel.
Regulations: Includes rules.
Restricted Driver: Aged 15–17, can only drive non-modified mowers.
Unrestricted Driver: Aged 18 and over.
Ride-On Lawn Mower: A commercially sold lawn mower, not a small tractor.
Grid: Starting line.
Steward/Marshal: Supervises pit/track areas.
Track Area: Includes racetrack and defined surrounding area.
Unauthorised Persons: Anyone not on a mower team or crew.
3. Minimum Age
- 18 years and over: Unrestricted drivers
- 15–17 years: Only permitted to drive non-modified mowers
4. Waiver Form All drivers must sign a liability waiver before participation.
5. Eligible Drivers Drivers must submit required forms and pay entry fees.
6. No Entry While Affected No person may:
- Participate,
- Enter the pit,
- Enter the track, While under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
7. Safety Briefing All drivers must attend a pre-race safety briefing (rules and course layout).
a) All Mowers (Rules 8–27: General Requirements)
- Mowers must be self-propelled rotary or reel-type lawn mowers originally designed and commercially sold for mowing lawns.
- Mowers must be in good working order and pass a pre-race inspection.
- No fuel-injected or turbocharged engines are permitted.
- All blades or cutters must be removed.
- All mowers must be fitted with an operational, approved cut-off switch connected to the driver by a lanyard.
- Fuel tanks must be constructed of an approved type (not plastic bottles), securely fastened and covered.
- All mowers must have a functioning rear braking system only—front brakes are not permitted.
- Mowers with sharp or dangerous protrusions are ineligible until made safe or removed.
- Chain guards must be fitted. Handlebars constructed of hollow tubing must be securely plugged.
- Bonnets must be properly secured in the closed position.
- Mowers must not be fitted with suspension systems on either front or rear wheels. A fixed rear axle is required (springs under seats are permitted).
- Batteries must be securely mounted.
- Nudge bars are not permitted. Rear bars are allowed but must not exceed the width of the rear tyres or the mower’s widest point.
- The maximum width of any mower shall be 1.0 metre (39 inches).
- Any structural modifications must retain the mower’s original appearance, it must be readily recognisable as a ride-on lawn mower.
- Tyres must comply with the following:
- ATV tyres are permitted.
- Knobby or turf-style tyres are permitted.
- Tractor-lug tyres are not permitted.
- All front tyres must have tubes.
- Wheel rims must be made of steel or machined alloy. Only one-piece or welded construction is permitted, two-piece rims are not allowed.
b) Modified Mowers
- Modified mowers must be fitted with a hydraulic braking system using callipers and a braking disc securely attached to the rear axle that slows both wheels simultaneously.
- Chassis modifications are allowed for structural reinforcement but must use mild steel only. Exotic materials such as aluminium, carbon fibre, or alloy are not permitted.
- Pulley and driveline modifications are permitted, provided all moving parts are safely guarded.
- Cutting decks may be removed; all cutting blades must be removed.
- Wheel and suspension changes are acceptable.
- Non-standard engines are permitted with the following limits:
- Must be a commercially available engine (e.g. Honda, Vanguard, Briggs & Stratton).
- Maximum output of 20 horsepower.
- Motorcycle type engines must not exceed 250cc or equivalent.
- All modified mowers must be fitted with an automatic throttle return mechanism (e.g. a spring).
- Permitted Fuels
- Super, avgas, unleaded, lead replacement, premium unleaded.
- Prohibited Fuels
- Methanol, alcohol, nitrous oxide, LPG, or pressurised fuel.
Helmet
- Must be full-face or motocross style.
- Snug fit and securely fastened.
- No bicycle or hard hats.
Clothing
- Safety vest and full body clothing required.
- Body armour/padding recommended.
- Closed footwear mandatory.
- No loose clothing that can catch in mower parts.
Safety Rules
- Only authorised personnel on the grid.
- Mowers must stop before dismounting.
- No pets allowed.
- No smoking or alcohol in pit/track areas.
43–48. Inspection Process
- Mowers must be approved by Technical Inspector.
- Re-inspections may occur at any time.
- Unsafe mowers may be refused entry.
- Re-inspection is required after incidents.
- Drivers must declare engine classification.
- Show Society may reject mowers that violate the spirit of the rules.