Mooresville lawn mower racers finding success

Mooresville's Kenny Karriker and his makeshift crew have caught up to the sport of lawn mower racing – yes, it's a real sport – just as fast on the track as they have off it.
The small outfit with big plans has the trophies, the many mowers, success and almost a cult-like following to show for it.
Dubbing his organization K2 Racing – in recognition of his initials -- for obvious reasons, it made an immediate impact on the scene in just its first full year on the circuit. Competing in various divisions all based on the size of the respective mower motors that also have a direct affect on the speeds, K2 placed first on one division overall and challenged for another before placing second.
"The first question that I always hear,'' deadpanned Karriker, who partially credits his dad, "Legend" Bud Karriker for getting him steered in the sport's direction, "is 'Can you cut grass with that?' I tell them sure, if you want to do so at say, around 60 miles per hour. They just laugh. I had never done this kind of work before either, but I got addicted. I enjoy the competitiveness and the fun of racing lawn mowers."
Despite that "newbie" status tagged to rookies, Karriker and company placed first in the Modified Division and accounted for a second-place finish in the Super Stock Class. The team entered mowers in the two classifications for races held throughout North Carolina and Virginia. It boasted of a number of wins within the divisions throughout the season that only recently came to a close.
For the most part, the mowers used on the dirt tracks look on the outside to be standard machines. Upon closer inspection, it doesn't take long to notice the differences. Engines are rebuilt to certain specifications depending on preferred division of competition. Also, tires are used that are made especially for dirt track racing.
"These mowers,'' noted Karriker, looking over an array of models at his tea's shop just off N.C. Highway 115 a few miles south of Mooresville, "look like what you'd find in a garage. But some of them can go over 100 miles per hour, depending on the size of the engine."
Karriker and K2 Racing are looking to already expand their operation and field a mower in more divisions following the success its enjoyed during what amounted to just its rookie season on tour.
"Around August of last year,'' revealed Karriker, "I was driving and saw a sign on the side of the road that read about lawn mower racing. At that moment, I decided to go ahead and give it a try."
It just so happened that at about that same time, his dad Bud also contacted the son about the possibility.
Both had been involved in other areas of racing, with Kenny Karriker dating back to his own previous participation in go-kart racing as a reference point.
"This was something new to me, though.,'' assured Karriker. "I talked to dad about it, and we decided to go ahead and give it a try."
In addition to the two Karrikers, their team also includes fellow driver Mike Edwards.
Almost from scratch, the outfit secured some mower frames and relied on their experience with lawn mower and go-kart maintenance to get some entries ready for track runs. They crew has even built its own test practice track in order to get the most from its machines.
"We got into it pretty heavy right from the start,'' stressed Karriker. "If we were going to do this, we were going to do it right."
It showed.
K2 made its presence felt almost from the get-go. In addition to winning races and collecting trophies, the organization has become fan friendly by involving as many fans, especially youngsters, as possible to the scene.
"We like to involve kids in the crowd in our races,'' revealed Karriker. "We'll pick out a random kid and ride them around the track in a parade lap. We'll even give our trophies to them. It just puts a smile on all their faces."
The races themselves, for the most part, also pay tribute to youth. Many of the events are for charity causes, with proceeds being raised for the likes of St. Jude's Children's Hospital. For the most part, the drivers and teams compete only for trophies and pride.
"There is very little money to be made as far a rewards go,'' quipped Karriker, making it a point to appreciate all the financial assistance his team receives from its number of sponsors. "We're not in it for that. We do it for the kids. That's what it is all about, at least for me. The trophies are nice, and winning races is great. But to see what it does for the kids, that's what makes it all worthwhile."
Karriker is even receptive towards helping organize races locally for any and all interested fundraising parties. He is currently in negotiations over the possibility of staging some races for other children-related charitable organizations.
Karriker admits that his team could not have put forth the kind of early success and notoriety it has received without the aid of contributors. The list of local sponsors includes Overcash Electric, Byers TV & Repair, Lake Norman Pizza, Studio 115 and Skin Kage, all based out of the immediate Mooresville area.
"Gas alone was a big cost this season," stressed Karriker. "We couldn't have done it without their help. I get some discounts from some area auto parts places, too. Once they realize what we're racing for, some of them have even offered to provide more. We don't ask for more than we need to get to the races."
Currently, the team is in its off-season. K2 Racing is making plans to enter more divisions next season, which gets underway in March. For now, the outfit is accepting all inquiries for any wishing to conduct a benefit race. All interested can contact K2 Racing at 704-202-1774, and ask for Kenny.