Cobram Barooga Apex Club President Matt Triffitt, members Dave Kelly and Treasurer Luke Miller.
Photo by
Barb Love
If you thought your ride-on lawn mower was only useful for trimming the lawn every Sunday, think again.
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This month, the Australia Ride On Lawn Mower Racing Association Race is arriving in Cobram.
For anyone who doesn’t know, the mowers used in the races are no ordinary steeds.
AROLMRA President Di Millsteed said changes are made to the chassis of each mower so that they can accommodate an engine all the way from 110cc to 450cc.
“The quickest we’ve ever clocked them on the straight is 106km/hr,” she said.
“They come out of the shed, being your common garden variety lawn mower, but underneath we do lots of changes.”
Fresh off the back of a competition in Johnsonville in January, it will be the 12th year Cobram has hosted the event.
Stuart Eliott gives the thumbs-up after a race.
Photo by
James Bennett
There will be four sets of heats for each of the classes, then a final showdown for each class. The day will finish off with an all-feature race, in which the top three place-getters from each of the three classes race together with handicaps.
Organisers are expecting a bumper crowd.
President Millsteed said she would be surprised if the upcoming races in Cobram brought fewer than 40 competitors.
“It’s always a huge event on our calender. It’s one of our favourites,” she said.
“It’s such an exciting thing to watch.”
President Millsteed thanked all those involved in organising the annual event, including Stuart Eliott and the Cobram Barooga Apex Club.
“It’s very much a left-of-centre sport. We’re lucky enough to have it held in Cobram for the last twelve years,” she said.
“Come along with the family, bring a chair, enjoy the racing.”
Cobram Barooga Apex Club President Matt Triffitt said the club is excited to facilitate another year’s event.
“There’ll be plenty of events throughout the day for the kids and adults,” he said.
He said there will be more food vans “than ever before” this year.
He also confirmed there will be a bar at this year’s event, serving a range of beers and premixes.
“It’s something that’s always been asked for every other year, so we thought we’d make it happen,” he said.
The event will be held at Cobram’s Scott Reserve on Sunday, March 9. Gates open at 9.30am for a 10.30am start. Entry is just $2 per person.
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