Grass guzzlers
Lawnmower racing looking for new location after wrapping up season in support of Children’s Wish Foundation
The checkered flag may have waved for the final time at a popular P.E.I. race track.
This year’s final event for the P.E.I. Lawn Tractor Racing Club (PEILTRC), was held in the field located across from 9002 St. Peter’s Highway in Morell.
The event may have been the final race at the track, which has come to be known as Grassroots Raceway over the past several years.
PEILTRC president Jeff Wilson said the club is currently in the process of finding a new location for next year.
Wilson said the sport has seen tremendous growth amongst both participants and spectators since it began in 2014, adding that it has brought together drivers of all ages from P.E.I. and New Brunswick.
“It’s old school fun,” said Wilson, adding that the sport is also kid-friendly with divisions for those aged six to nine and 10 to 14 that have tractors with improved brakes and less horsepower. “It’s a blast. It’s something they can afford and it’s something they can get outside and work on because they’re so easy to work on.”
Even for adults, other forms of automotive racing are largely inaccessible due to the high costs involved.
Wilson said lawnmower racing, which sees tractors modified to achieve much higher speeds, offers the same type of adrenaline rush.
“Honestly, I’ve been into drag racing, running nine seconds in a drag car, and I get more excitement out of this. And for a fraction of the cost,” said. “It’s the sense of competitiveness… It’s the adrenaline and they’re quite fast. Most people are pretty surprised when they see them.”
That excitement has also helped grow the sport in P.E.I. With about eight races every summer, some events have attracted up to 500 spectators while also raising money for good causes.
This season saw all proceeds go towards the Children’s Wish Foundation. The racing series has also supported the P.E.I. Humane Society in previous years.
The club has also grown in participants. Every race involves about 40 to 50 racers in about six divisions, many of whom have made custom paint jobs to their machines.