The Western Slope Lawn Mower Racing AssociationMesa County Valley School District 51 in Grand Junction, CO has a Recreational Vehicle Repair program – a group of students actively involved in the repair and maintenance of all types of small engine vehicles including Go-Karts, dirt bikes, ATV’s and riding lawn mowers for the public. The school district’s website writes:

This group of students, along with their teacher Mr. Jim Pittsenbarger, was immediately interested in joining a national club when they became aware of it.

“Just before Christmas 2009, we contacted the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association and found out there is only one other chapter in Colorado, and nowhere near us,” said Tammy Gribble, instructional assistant for the Recreational Vehicle Repair program. They also discovered that they would be the first student-involved chapter in Colorado. “Working on mowers and then getting to race your final product is what it’s all about here. It’s a nice friendly challenge among us students,” says Justin Brown, sophomore at Central High School.

The Western Slope Lawn Mower Racing Association is now recognized nationally.

To read more about The Western Slope Lawn Mower Racing Association, including their mission statement, head over to the District 51 website.

Grand Junction’s NBC 11 News also chimed in:

When a local teacher wanted to find a new way for his students to learn, he found his answer in an unlikely place: lawn mower racing. Now, he and his students say they’re ready to help the sport take the Grand Valley by storm.

Read the rest of the article on the NBC 11 website.


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