Twelve Mile 500 facts for kids
The Twelve Mile 500 is a super fun and unique lawn mower race! It happens every year on July 4th in the small town of Twelve Mile, Indiana. The local Twelve Mile Lions Club organizes this exciting event.
What is the Twelve Mile 500?
This race isn't just any race; it's a big deal in Twelve Mile! People race special lawn mowers around a track. It's a tradition that started a long time ago and brings lots of excitement to the town.
How the Race Started
The Twelve Mile 500 began way back in 1963. At first, it was a race for regular lawn mowers. The only change was that their cutting parts (called "decks") were removed. This made them safe for racing.
In 1996, the race grew bigger. It split into two different races:
- One race was for mowers with special Briggs engines. These are common four-cycle lawn mower engines.
- The other race was for "modified" mowers. These mowers could be changed and made faster.
In 1970, the race adopted a "Grand Prix" style. This means it's run on a closed course, like a special racetrack. Since then, the race has always been held at Plank Hill Park. The race structure changed again in 2010. A new "superstock" race was added. This meant there were now three exciting races: Briggs, modified, and superstock.
How the Race Works
The Twelve Mile 500 is a 15-mile race. Racers complete 60 laps on a quarter-mile track inside Plank Hill Park. Up to 33 teams can enter each race, making it a busy and competitive event!
Each team needs a few important people:
- A driver who steers the mower.
- A two-person pit crew who helps with repairs and refueling.
- A lap judge who keeps track of the laps.
To even get into the race, teams must be able to reach a speed of about 30 miles per hour. This shows they are fast enough to compete safely.
