Lots of things in life get me annoyed, too. I’d like to believe that some intelligently placed humor, without the sarcasm, makes one’s existence more digestible. That’s why I respect Bruce Kaufman, president of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association, who refers to himself as Mr. Mow-It-All. Kaufman is incredibly fast with a quip and completely self-effacing, referring to the pastime of riding-mower competition as the zone “where the back yard meets the Brickyard.” He’s gotten the game a lot of publicity that’s both warmhearted and lighthearted.
Compared to the meager publicity of some motorsports today (think IndyCars on Versus, with ratings in 2 a.m. infomercial territory), Kaufman’s accomplishments take on Roone Arledge proportions. The group has announced its own Bricklawn, the U.S. Open, set for September 5 in Delaware, Ohio. Lawnmower racing has been going on since 1963 on an organized basis. Because coal miners, toy designers and curlers have their own halls of fame, so should these guys. This year’s class, the second, is led by Ken Smolecki of West Chicago, Illinois, dubbed (probably by Kaufman) as the Turfinator, who organized an infamous contest between Bob Vila and Tim Allen on jet-powered riding mowers. If this is the kind of action that cuts your grass, go to www.letsmow.com. Thanks to our pal Dan Luginbuhl of Cordillera, Colorado for passing this along.