The famous comedian, Jeff Foxworthy, says that you are probably a redneck if you carry a fishing rod into Sea World, dress up to go to Wal-Mart, or if you have to go outside to get something out of the fridge. Well, here is another one to add to the huge list of redneck activities—going to the lawn mower races in Cranbrook, B.C.
What started as a friendly lawn mower race between two friends, Pete Durning and Jude Brinders, has turned into a ritual among many Cranbrook residents and visitors from as far away as Saskatchewan. I had the pleasure of finding out about the lawn mower races last year with my boyfriend, Ben.
A couple of Ben’s friends, Richard Nelson and Sean Rae, were racing in the event and we decided to go and cheer them on. What we found was about 300 people, live bands, a track dedicated to racing riding lawn mowers with souped-up engines and people dressed to the nines in hick attire.
Pete Durning has been organizing the event for eight years and it is always held on the Saturday before Labour Day. Durning said the more people that come to the lawn mower races the better. “It is a full community event,” said Durning. “I want everyone to come and have a good time.”
Go big or go home
Durning said the Lawn Mower Races event in 2008 was the pinnacle year as he had 15 racers signed up and the event made the CTV national news. This year was just as good, with more than 300 people and eight live bands, including bands from Edmonton, Golden and Sparwood.
“We built a big custom stage that we added to our deck,” said Durning. “I like to go full out and do everything right. If I am going to do it, I am going to do it right—that is the only way to live.”
Most of the lawn mowers have had extensive work done on them. Durning said his machine maxed out at 50 kilometres an hour, while the fastest machine at the races this year had a Ski-Doo engine and was clocked at 110 kilometres per hour. Durning starts preparation for the races about two weeks in advance and the week of the Lawn Mower Races, he gets about 15 to 20 people helping out with last-minute things to ensure the day goes well.
Obtainable goals
Durning’s goal is to have a beer commercial dedicated to the Lawn Mower Races. “What I want is my own personal beer commercial,” said Durning. “Every year I have seen these beer commercials where people are out there partying and having a great time and the lawn mower races is my beer commercial…I look around and think, ‘Man, this is the way we should live every day’. ”
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