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Wisborough Green in West Sussex is home to an annual 12-hour lawn mower race known as Le Mow, where dozens of drivers participate in this unique motorsport event. Contrary to traditional prestigious motor races, this event features vehicles more commonly found in back gardens rather than on tarmac tracks. The race kicks off at 19:00 BST and lasts until 07:00 BST, with competitors vying to complete the most laps around the track for victory.
A distinct feature of the Le Mow race is the high speeds reached by the lawn mowers, with some capable of hitting up to 55mph. Teams of three drivers take turns racing the mowers throughout the 12-hour endurance event. These drivers stop every 45 minutes at the pit lane to refuel and repair any damages sustained by either the mower or themselves. The physical demands of the race are evident, with one competitor noting having only suffered broken ribs as the worst injury experienced.
Daz Whitehead, a member of the team Northerners Kick Grass, holds the title of the most successful driver in Le Mow history, having secured his seventh overall win last year. The 2025 race carries a special significance for Whitehead, as he is racing in memory of a teammate who passed away shortly after the previous year’s event. The spirit of camaraderie and remembrance permeates the event, emphasizing the community aspect of lawn mower racing.
While initially conceived in 1973 as a reaction against the commercialization of motorsport, lawn mower racing has continued to embody its core values over the subsequent decades. The affordability and accessibility of this form of motorsport have attracted many enthusiasts, including first-time competitors like Nick Webb. Indianna Winchester, the sole female participant in the race, highlights the endurance required for lawn mower racing and expresses a desire to see more women involved in the sport. Ultimately, the comradery and shared passion for racing unite all participants, regardless of their finishing position in the event
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