Ride-on lawnmowers and ‘outlaw’ racers make cut at Inverell Speedway’s inaugural ‘Invy 500’

It’s a case of ready, set, mow at the Inverell Speedway, where lawnmowers rather than speeding cars are becoming fan favourites. The North-West Mower Racing Association recently hosted its first ever endurance race. The “Invy 500” was held over three days and 50 kilometres. Club president Gordon Jones, 68, has been racing for more than a decade. “I saw a racing demonstration at an agricultural show,” he said. Taking part in the “outlaw” division allows Mr Jones to make amendments to his ride-on mower. “We’ve got a standard category which is up to 32 horsepower, with a ride-on lawnmower-type motor,” he said. “The outlaw class is anything that’s got a performance-type motor in it — things that make it go faster than normal — we also allow some motorbike engines.” He said the speed of the ride-on mowers surprises a lot of people. Mr Jones said his granddaughter described him as an adrenaline junkie, but for him, racing was much more than that. “It’s all about fun here,” he said. “There’s no big prize money, usually it’s bragging rights, and the camaraderie and friendship is second to none.” Craig Wilkins is the man behind the Invy 500 event, and the endurance race was something he had been planning since January 2023. “I approached as many clubs and industry members as possible, wrote the rules and regulations, and it’s just built from there,” he said. Mr Wilkins said crowd and driver entertainment was at the forefront of the event. “This track is designed for the entertainment, not so much the speed and power of a mower,” he said. “The track has got tight turns and long straights where if you make a mistake, you will not win the race. “It’s more of a competitive atmosphere.” For the local mayor, Paul Harmon, the event was about good community spirit. “It is absolutely sensational and I’m just blown away … who would’ve thought you change your lawnmower and then turn it into a race,” he said. “It’s been a great weekend, so good for our community here, great organisation, supported really well … we want to see it back here bigger and better next year.” For the organisers and the racers, the weekend was about more than just trophies and competition. “The racing on the track is about five per cent of the atmosphere of mower racing — it’s all in the camping, in the pit areas, in the camaraderie of everything,” Mr Wilkins said.