Honda claims lawn mower top speed record!

[4-barrel Mike]

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/04/02/honda-sets-lawn-mower-top-speed-record/: 116.57 mph.

     
Good ol' Guinness!   

Mike

[Stan Back]

I think they shudda put at least a strip of grass across the road -- kinda like the row of bricks at Indy.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

We were at the Shootout (2010) when Bobby Cleveland set the record at 97.332.  I remember that a requirement, they said, to get into the Guiness book was that the machine had to mow grass the same day as it ran the speed(s).  Once the machine had made two passes - they wrenched for a while, put the mower deck on and in operating condition, and were ready to mow.  But -- some of you may remember that there's not much grass at the salt, so - - a couple of pieces of turf (from the golf course, I think it was) were moved out onto the course so the mower could cut them then and there and under the eyes of the officials.

The article (Fox news -- what can I expect?) didn't make it clear if the machine really did cut grass or if it was just "capable" of cutting grass.

Nonetheless -- 116, or 97, for that matter -- sitting on a mower must make for a sphincter-clinching ride.

[Malcolm UK]

Yes Honda, through the UK motorsport team which races the manufacturers Civic in our British touring car championship series - Team Dynamics - have pushed the vehicle design well beyond those of Bob Cleveland and Don Wales.

I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Bob when he attended the succesful Pendine Sands UK attempt made by Don Wales (Grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell) and both these drivers used near standard design mowers, which cut the grass using the normal engine drive system.  Bob was ready to return to the salt (as SSS describes) to regain the record with his rolls of grass.

The Guinness Book have now permitted the design 'floodgates' to open by allowing a replacement engine not found on a mower, the cutting deck to be made of lightweight construction materials and the use of a secondary (electric) drive motor to the blades.

If Suzuki have a mower what would happen when a turbo Hayabusa engine is used? Who is ready for the first 150 mph or even 200 mph ride on grass mower?  

[Speed Limit 1000]

I bet we could get Pork Pie to drive it

[kiwi belly tank]

The next American effort will probably be something like a JohnDeer with an LS engine. When is a mower not a mower!
  Sid.

[jacksoni]

Hey, and since this had an engine swap it runs /GC (or something) instead of Production. Lets have some rules here!

[desotoman]

The next American effort will probably be something like a JohnDeer with an LS engine. When is a mower not a mower!
  Sid.

How about a X/F Vintage John Deere Lawn Tractor?        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b0lef9TyMc

Tom G.

[Peter Jack]

Now that's a neat piece that can actually be put to use! 

It's one of those things that actually gets a guy thinking strange thoughts. 

Pete

[tauruck]

We were at the Shootout (2010) when Bobby Cleveland set the record at 97.332.  I remember that a requirement, they said, to get into the Guiness book was that the machine had to mow grass the same day as it ran the speed(s).  Once the machine had made two passes - they wrenched for a while, put the mower deck on and in operating condition, and were ready to mow.  But -- some of you may remember that there's not much grass at the salt, so - - a couple of pieces of turf (from the golf course, I think it was) were moved out onto the course so the mower could cut them then and there and under the eyes of the officials.

The article (Fox news -- what can I expect?) didn't make it clear if the machine really did cut grass or if it was just "capable" of cutting grass.

Nonetheless -- 116, or 97, for that matter -- sitting on a mower must make for a sphincter-clinching ride.

And all that coming from a bike rider. Jon, you rock.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

I just got this from Ron Main:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFo7ztlMlmg