CHERRY GROVE - On Saturday, the Cherry Grove Recreational and Agricultural Society held its sixth Annual Lawn Tractor Races in Cherry Grove.
Natalie Hamiliton, committee worker with the society stated last year they had more than 500 people walk through the gate to watch about 34 tractor entries. This year, there were over 600 spectators and 37 racers took part in the day.
Among this year's racers was team Shake 'n Bake Racing. They travel across Alberta in the summer competing in various tractor races. Also, at least two of last year's winners - one in the Super Modified Class, and one from the Modified Class - were back to compete.
This year saw six entrants registered in the Stock Class category, where the minimum age to compete is 12 years old and the maximum lawn mower size permitted is 28-horsepower. No push start mowers are allowed, and mowers must be residential mowers.
Nine entries in Super Modified Class took part in the day, where the minimum age to race is 16. All entries must have a hood, rear fenders and look like a lawn mower.
In the Modified Class, 22 competitors took part. The minimum age to race in the category is 14 years old. All engines must be front mounted, agricultural-style single or twin cylinder originally equipped on lawn tractors, and engine modifications are limited to external parts.
Event officials could move riders up a class to ensure an even race.
During the morning registration window, riders could pick their own number if it wasn't already taken and line up for inspections. After individual timed laps, groups raced together in different heats. The qualifying lap's time determined which heat racers were put in.
At noon, the races started with three heats of Stock Class racing, followed by several heats of Modified and Super Modified Racing. After the races, there was an awards ceremony where winners received lawn tractor blades.
Organizers moved the date of this year's event so it wouldn't compete with Cold Lake's Extreme Mudfest, and after the races, Cherry Poolza began at 5 p.m., with entertainment throughout the evening by Mainsteet Band and the Renee Malo Band, along with food trucks and fireworks.
All funds raised during the day and evening events will go toward improving or upgrading the building or property on the society grounds. A final amount raised was not yet available.
Results
Stock Class
1st place - Janine Penney #9
2nd place - Valeric Power #13
3rd place - Robert Winchester #38
Modified Class
1st Place - Aaron Pottelberg #14
2nd Place - Dallen Jurick #2
3rd Place - Nathan Zacharias #11
Super Modified
1st Place - Rocky Robinson #500
2nd Place - Kelsie Grundner #7
3rd Place - Robert Winchester #95
