Lawn Mower Derby – General Rules:

General:
– Remove all glass, cast iron, and plastic.
– No zero turn radiuses (ZTR) allowed.
– No rear engine lawnmowers.
– No “Garden Tractor” conversions.
– Do not transform your mower into a tank, disqualification will occur.
– DO NOT weld brackets and joints that raise and lower the deck; they must remain intact before the derby.
– No reinforcing of the frame; all frames MUST remain stock.
– Use lawnmower wheels only (clip axle mount wheels or single bolt axles, NO BIGGER than 5/8); NO bolt-on lug style tires allowed.
– Tires must be DOT approved; no tire chains, dual wheels, all steel tires, AG tires, ATV or Go-Kart tires. LAWN MOWER TIRES ONLY.

Mower:
– Electric start mowers are preferred but not required.
– No spikes or protrusions on the mower.
– Mower must have a number on each side; encouraged on top.
– Original and clever names are encouraged.
– NO profanity or demeaning language tolerated.
– Mower deck MUST be removed.
– Mowers must have good working brakes and forward/reverse gears at the start.

Safety Cage:
– Safety cage must be installed for drivers’ protection; NOT to reinforce the mower’s strength.
– Cage may extend from the engine crankshaft to the fenders (1 ¼”-2” square tubing, angle iron, or round tubing).
– Must have at least 4 solid welds or bolt points to the frame or fenders.
– Safety cage must NOT protect tires.
– Sides along the driver’s legs must have bars no more than 4” apart.
– Top rail must be below the drivers’ knees, colored red between the tires (visible “NO HIT ZONE”).
– NO direct hits to the red areas; 1 warning, then disqualification for a second illegal hit.
– A bar underneath is allowed but NOT welded to the mower’s surface or frame; 1 only.
– Hood must be openable for inspection, bolted with 4 ¼” by 3” bolts around the driver’s area.

Bumpers:
– Front bumper not to exceed 8 INCHES; Rear bumper not extend more than 4 INCHES.
– Bumper material no bigger than 2 INCHES square or round.
– Bumper must remain flat across; NO spikes, sharp edges, points, etc.
– NO more than 15 inches off the ground.
– Back bumper may have a “hoop” weld off the bumper going up behind the back seat (not wider than 15 inches).

Engine:
– Air-cooled engines only; limited to a maximum of 20 HP.
– Must be a factory lawnmower engine (Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh, Onan, Kohler, etc.).
– NO internal engine performance modifications allowed.
– Encouraged exhaust modifications; securely mounted pipes.

Electrical:
– Occupant MUST have a KILL SWITCH (boat/jet ski type).
– Key switches are NOT kill switches.
– Battery MUST be covered with non-conductive material and anchored securely.

Fuel Tank:
– Disqualification for any leaking gas.
– Fuel tank must be secured with a cap; may be relocated IF stock position is compromising.

Modifications:
– Any seat that fits on top is allowed.
– Chair cage around the seat for rib and back protection is permitted but no wider than fenders.
– CAUTION: Modifications may cause tipping.
– Changing pulleys is permitted; drive train modifications allowed if belt-driven only.
– NO motor cages; spark plug and overhead valve protector allowed (8×8, 5/16th inch thick metal, bolted in 2 places).
– Pre-run mowers can have 1 plate per side on the frame (same thickness as mower frame, not exceeding 2” on either side of the bend).

Rear-End:
– No riding high wheelies for welded rear-ends.
– Factory rear ends only; must remain stock, NO aftermarket front or rear ends.
– NO welding; NO reinforcements.

Drivers:
– Participate at your own risk.
– All drivers must show a legal I.D.
– Drivers must be at least 16 years old.
– Drivers under 18 must provide a parental consent form.
– Drivers must wear helmet, long sleeves, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and eye protection. NO EXCEPTIONS!
– No sandbagging; administer at least one hit every 30 seconds to avoid disqualification.

Event:
– All mowers must pass inspection.
– One restart for rollovers if deemed safe by officials; two rollovers result in disqualification.
– Wait for officials’ instructions to restart; 1 minute total to restart, then elimination.
– Fire results in black flag; SAFETY FIRST!
– Judges’ rulings are FINAL. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Protest Rule:
– $50 fee to protest; non-refundable if the protest fails, refunded if successful.
– Mower protested is disqualified upon success.