CATSHILL lawnmower racer Richard Hawksbee once again reigned supreme on the track, after winning the 555 Best of British event in Tenbury Wells on Sunday.
The event is the biggest in the West Midlands Lawn Mower Racing Association’s calendar, and, staying true to the name, lasts for exactly five hours and 55 minutes.
Over 35 racers from all over the country participated in this year’s edition, with the duo of Hawksbee and Phil Jennings proving the kings of the dirt track yet again.
Racing on ‘The Chirotractor’ for WMLMRA, the pair qualified in seventh, with the top six proving very fast competition – prompting fears that the team may be against it to win yet another event.
During the first hour of the final race, the team managed to keep within touching distance of the leading pack of mowers, who were driving ahead thanks to the more powerful machines in their possession.
However, that brought an eventual downfall for the riders, due to the fact that pit stops every hour to refuel were necessary.
The team made the tactical decision to keep racing for as long as possible before eventually refuelling and then changing driver, causing the team to lead the race for a while.
Around four hours in, a problem with the lawnmower became apparent, causing WMLMRA to make a quick pit stop to change a faulty spark plug – but dropped them back into second as a result.
The leaders, Best Western, found themselves three laps ahead going into the latter stages of the race, but were hit by sudden machine issues which caused a small fire and required a pit stop for repairs.
Upon learning of this set back, Hawksbee pushed ahead and dug in to close the gap and then lead the race.
He did not relinquish the lead approaching the final minutes, and won the race by a clear six laps.
The win is just the latest achievement for Hawksbee, after he won the opening event of the WMLMRA season at The Dog Inn in Stourport-on-Severn at the beginning of May.
In front of a packed crowd of spectators, Hawksbee brought home championship points despite having to navigate a tight, twisty track.
He found himself pushed mightily close by challengers Briggs & Fatton and Team Grasshopper, but saw himself home to take an early lead in the championship.
WMLMRA are next in action at an event held at the New Inn in Clifton On Teme on Sunday June 23.
