BRUSTON — Spectators and racers from the North Country gathered Saturday at Brewston-Moira American Corps Post 939 for the fourth lawnmower race of the season, Corps Commander Roy Richards said. , bringing the race to Brewston was a mutually beneficial arrangement for his organization and the Northern New York Lawn Mower Racing Association.
Richards said the event was a small fundraiser for the Legion, which he hopes to expand over the next few years to better accommodate the growing sport of motorsport. The race itself was organised by NNYMLR, who initially approached the Legion four years ago to explore the possibilities of the track.
“They came to us about four years ago and asked if we were interested in building a track for them,” Richards said. He said races were also held in Potsdam, Brasher and Parrishville. Due to insurance issues, the Corps cannot host the games themselves, but NNYLMR has an insurance policy that makes the games possible.
Since then, thanks to the efforts of volunteers, corps members and various sponsors, Richards said the track has been steadily built and improved every year since. He thanked CJ Trucking, H&C Robinson, Dale Rivers and Richard Menke for their efforts, as well as the volunteer fire departments of Moira, Brushton and Bangor. The departments were at the scene with rescue vehicles and personnel, and Richards said the event would not have been possible without the presence of first responders.
“The bottom line is that if you don’t have these people, you don’t have this,” Richards said. Veterans and support staff provided and prepared food for the event, he said.
Racers compete in multiple classes, differentiated by age, engine size and various technical aspects of the machine. Some larger lawn mowers can reach speeds of 80 miles per hour, while smaller machines can get kids as young as 8 into the sport.
Rick Dabiew, president of NNYLMR, said eight classes participated in Saturday’s game, and said the game was a family affair for him. Both his daughters and sons compete, and his eldest daughter Leeia recounts the passion she shares with her father for the sport.
“I want to play for a while,” Leeia said. She added that she had been interested in engines since she was a child, which she said stemmed from her father’s career as a mechanic. She is in her fourth year of competition, while her father has been in for six.
The race lasted all day, and on a hot late summer Saturday, spectators of all ages could enjoy grilled burgers and hot dogs along with refreshing beverages.
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