Andrew McPherson from the South Wagga Apex Club checks out the track for Motor Mania. Photo: Chris Roe.
Usually on the Father’s Day weekend, mowing is the last thing on Dad’s mind, but this year ‘Motor Mania’ is shaping up to be the perfect way to celebrate.
Andrew McPherson from South Wagga Apex Club sums up the event as “Summernats on lawnmowers” and says he came up with the idea when COVID-19 and the rising river sank their major fundraiser.
“The ‘Gumi’ was our major fundraiser and our major charity and community event,” he says, referencing the annual raft race that last ran in 2019.
“During the height of COVID, obviously we couldn’t run that and then with the river at varying heights and the beach rebuild underway we needed a new idea.”
Andrew says the members were excited by the idea of bringing the growing sport of ride-on lawnmower racing to Wagga and began planning for a full day of racing, live music and activities.
They secured the Wagga and District Kart Racing Club as a venue and Wagga City Council backed them with a grant.
“When council jumped on board with a grant for a new event coming to town, it was massive for us and then we secured Hutcheon and Pearce in the naming rights,” he says.
“It’s something new and there’s a bit of a buzz everywhere we look on Facebook and Instagram; people are hearing about it now and some are already talking about next year as well.”
Ride-on mower racing is a growing sport. Photo: Andrew McPherson.
‘Arolma’ – the Australian Ride On Lawnmower Racing Association has also got behind the event and will stage the opening round of their 2022/2023 race calendar in Wagga.
Andrew says there will be open races for locals along with the more competitive races on souped-up machines.
“The blades and the deck are removed and there are different grades of mowers,” he says.
“They’ll range from just changing up the machine itself with some gears to putting a motorbike motor into them.
“Some go up to 450 CC.”
Andrew is hoping that locals will get in on the action and turn up with their own modified machines.
“In the COVID everyone was locked in so we were looking for something that might encourage dads and the kids to get out of the house and get into the shed and tinker with something,” he explains.
“That’s why we targeted the Father’s Day weekend as well.”
Aside from the racing, there’ll be plenty of action trackside with live music and a bar – although drinking and mowing is of course frowned upon.
“When the mowing is done, the party begins!” laughs Andrew.
“So come out, enjoy the day, enjoy some music and some beverages.
“It should be a great atmosphere.”
The inaugural Motor Mania is on Saturday, 3 September.
Motor Mania is on 3 September. Photo: Supplied.
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