Lawn Mower Racing

You call That a Sport?  Sports Illustrated for Kids, 2003.  Photograph by Bill Kennedy/The Cleveland Plain Dealer/AP.

Sid Barron.  The (Le) Barron Book with Puddytat Centrefold, Toronto Star, 1972.

Although Canadian editorial cartoonist Sid Barron saw it coming earlier, the sport was first started in England by Irishman Jim Gavin over a few pints in 1973. It quickly evolved into the British Lawn Mower Racing Association.  According to their website:

"Over the years lawn mower racing has attracted motor racing legends and celebrities. Sir Stirling Moss has won both our British Grand Prix and our annual 12-Hour Race. Derek Bell, five times Le Mans winner and twice World Sports Car Champion, has won our 12 Hour twice and one of those was with Stirling. The actor Oliver Reed, who lived locally, regularly entered a team. We also feature in the Guinness Book of Records with the fastest mower over a set distance and the longest distance travelled in 12 hours. Other famous names who have been seen in the paddock are Murray Walker, Alan deCadenet, John Barnard (Ferrari F1 designer), Phil Tuffnell, Jason Gillespie, Chris Evans, Guy Martin and Karl Harris (British Super Bike riders), John Hindhaugh (Radio Le Mans commentator)."