Oh, Deere! Mad mower cuts record swath through Bonneville landscape

Here’s one way to get your name in the Bonneville Salt Flats record books on the cheap — a riding lawn mower.

Given that Georgia pilot mower Bob Cleveland isn’t an amateur when it comes to high-speed yard work (he’s been a national lawn mower racing champion for eight consecutive years), perhaps a trip to the Flats was inevitable. And while Cleveland had been hoping to see more than 100 mph perched upon the black box, he had to settle for a top speed of 81 mph. Fortunately, he was the first to attempt the feat, so a record was bagged regardless.

Speed secrets for Cleveland’s clever cutter? Removing the windshield, modifying the engine to produce 23-horsepower and smaller tires (downsized from 18 inches to 16).

Interestingly enough, Cleveland admits no not mowing his own grass… presumably he’s too busy mulching the competition.

+ Salt Lake Tribune: Lawn-mower racing champ aims for the record