Free Admission, More Rides and
Attractions
Old Home Days is bigger and better than ever!
Photo used by permission: Charles Gassett Sr.
Waterboro Old Home Days will be adding a new attraction in 2009: Lawn Mower Racing. On Saturday, July 11, the Southern Maine Lawn Mower Racing Outlaws will make their debut at the annual parade and then provide two free shows at Massabesic High School.
For announcer and organizer Charlie Gassett, it’s all about family fun and entertainment. Gassett, an avid lover of all racing sports, had been going to Beechridge Motor Speedway since the 1960’s.
“I always admired the announcers and knew it would be in my future” states Gassett, “It wasn’t until 2000 that I got my chance”.” Gassett was asked to announce high speed carting in Kezar Falls and found he was a natural behind the microphone.
Proving himself as a great entertainer, he went on to eventually announce at Beechridge. “My wife Norma always said I’d be great at it” he laughed, “because I have such a big mouth!”. More importantly, Gassett has a big heart.
While hesitant to talk about it (he’s not looking for kudos or thanks), Gassett has spent the last 9 years volunteering at Goodall Hospital. In 2006, he received the Scott Hoar Volunteer of The Year Award for his efforts. He’s put in over 5100 hours of volunteer time and is far from done.
When he’s not volunteering, Gassett works on building the sport of lawn mower racing. He recently secured a new track in Shapleigh they’re calling “Oakhills Redneck Raceway”. The track is located next to the alpaca farm and racing will begin mid July.
One of the fastest mower outlaws on four wheels, #62.
Chuck Gassett winning feature
event at Oak Hills Redneck Raceway.
Gassett attributes the rapid growth of the sport to two factors: affordability and accessibility. For fans it’s a no brainer, for less than $20 bucks, the family can come out and have a great time. For wannabe drivers, it’s even better.
If you already own a riding lawn mower, it’s going to cost you $75 at best. For those who don’t, you can pick an old one up, and modify it. You’ll still be into the sport for less than $200. And if you can hang on and fly? You’ve got it made.
Racing mowers have exceeded 60 miles per hour (check out Youtube if you don’t believe me). Don’t expect to see that in Maine though, Gassett is die hard about safety and even goes above and beyond the United States Lawnmower Association rules.
In Maine, you have to be t least 18 to drive one, and you’ll be checked out by Gassett before you do. And he has the credentials. He was the first Head Automotive Tech for Hertz in 1979 and didn’t retire until 2001. He knows his vehicles.
Photo used by permission: Charles Gassett
Sr.
Get out to Old Home Days and talk to Charlie and the drivers about all the fun they’re having. They’ll be racing at 12:30 and again at 4pm and are willing to chat racing with your family in between.
After the racing, be sure to stay for the fireworks supplied by Atlas. While many other towns cut their fireworks completely, Atlas made Waterboro a deal and this year’s should be bigger and better than ever.
For Additional Info contact:
Lisa Tutor
(207) 247-6117
(207) 318-7685 cell
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Additional information available online. Here are just a few links to Lawn Mower Racing:
U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association: http://ww.uslmra.org
Wikipedia
info on Lawn Mower Racing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn_mower_racing
Saco Pathfinders Snowmobile Club: http://sacopathfinders.net
Photo Credit: Fir0002/Flagstaffotos
Used under GNU Free Documentation License
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