When Brice Johnstad of Foxboro, Wisconsin was six years old he had a dream to create a lawn mower race to honor the memory of his great grandfather Gary Smith, who lost his battle to cancer, as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Now, three years later the U.S. Cure Mower Cancer Open will bring lawn mower racers from across the country to Superior, Wisconsin for a day of racing, fellowship and fundraising while honoring the memory of Brice’s great grandfather.
The Wisconsin Lawnmower Racing Association (WILMRA) will present the U.S. Cure Mower Cancer Open, Saturday, June 2, 2:00pm at the, Amsoil Speedway, 4700 Tower Ave, Superior, Wisconsin. Spectator admission is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 6-12. All proceeds benefit the support the Douglas County Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.
For more details, directions, and a full schedule for the U.S. Cure Mower Cancer Open, click here.
“In 2010 the Johnstad family approached approached WILMRA and we gladly said we would help,” said Shannon Kayhart, WILMRA President. “In 2010 WILMRA brought out 13 kick grass racing mowers and put on a show, with drivers donating their race entry fees to Brice and the American Cancer Society. In 2011 we did Cure Mower Cancer II and decided to make it a WILMRA Open event to bring in all styles of mowers including local racers who can come out and join the fun. This year, we’re expanding so that even more racers can join us.”
“For 2012, the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) has added the event to their U.S. Open National Series which is a nationally sanctioned points series. We expect racers from the Minnesota Lawn Mower Racing Association (MNLMRA), Badger State Lawn Mower Racing Association (BSMRA), American Heartland Mower Racers (AHLMR) as well as Central Iowa Lawn Mower Racing Association (CILMRA) and racers from the Western Ontario Outlaws (WOO) in Canada. 2012 looks to be our best year ever.”
The Wisconsin Lawn Mower Racing Association is a Local Chapter of the USLMRA, which sanctions racing lawn mowers competing at speeds up of to 60 mph. Sponsored by STA-BIL®, America’s top selling fuel stabilizer, the USLMRA is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2012.
“We’re thrilled to take the race to the next level,” said Brooke Johnstad, Brice’s mom. “The lawn mower rac
ers are so supportive of us and our Relay for Life team.” Brooke is a team leader of “Gary’s Ray of Hope” a Relay For Life team that honors the memory of Brooke’s grandfather, Brice’s great grandfather, Gary Smith. The Douglas County Relay For Life will be held July 13 at the University of Wisconsin Superior Wessman Arena.
“The American Cancer Society (ACS) is dedicated to creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Thanks in part to our work, 11 million cancer survivors will celebrate another birthday this year,” said Joni Tauzell, Senior Community Relations Staff at the Duluth, Minnesota-based Douglas County ACS office.
“ACS does this by helping people get well, stay well, by finding cures and by fighting back. We are grateful for the commitment and generosity of the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association and its racers for their support of our mission,” added Tauzell. “Not only is lawn mower racing fun, it’s a great way for the community to get out, get moving and join the fight against cancer.”
About The American Cancer Society
About The American Cancer Society Relay For LifeThe American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, ACS fights for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. ACS saves lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or finding it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. ACS is the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, having contributed more than $3.5 billion. To learn more about us or to get help, call anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an overnight relay-style event where teams of people camp out around a track with members of each team taking turns walking around the track for the duration of the event. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities in a family-friendly environment for the entire community. Relay for Life is a nationwide event and features a Survivors Lap, Luminaria Ceremony and Fight Back Ceremony. For information contact relayforlife.org.
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