Ready, Set, Race!

Gentlemen, start your engines.

Walker Manufacturing will sponsor its own version of mower Survivor at the 2002 Outdoor Power Equipment Expo in Louisville, Ky. Walker dealers, owners and operators can test their skills in a tightly-woven obstacle course and compete for the fastest time at the Walker Mowers Precision Obstacle Course National Championship, sponsored by the company in conjunction with Sellers Expositions.

“It should be a valuable way to show what a piece of power equipment can do,” remarked Tim Cromley, marketing manager for Walker, based in Fort Collins, Colo.  

Anyone can sign up to take the time-test challenge during show hours on Friday, July 19, at the obstacle course located on Lot D, north of the outdoor demonstration area. Free and open to all show attendees, the course will handle up to 300 contestants for the “qualifying round” on Friday, and the fastest 75 times will advance to Saturday morning’s semi-finals. From there, top 10 will compete on Sunday to win a five-day vacation for two to Colorado, where they will tour the Walker factory. The top three operators will also earn prizes provided by Walker suppliers, Cromley said.

Operators will work their way through the mower maze, fending themselves against real-life hazards like tight corners, a tree and even a head obstacle, picking up five red flags along the way. “The objectives are comparable to what a person would encounter on a typical compact mowing setting,” Cromley described.

The fastest contenders will finish the course in about 30 seconds – others might lag at a minute and a half. Some Walker dealers are grooming their operators for precision and speed in advance. “A number of our dealers in the United States are running competitions and they are going to bring their best operators [to the show],” he said. “It sounds like we should have great participation. It makes for a fun time, and people pick their favorites quickly.”

Before the finals, Dean Walker, the mower designer, and Bob Walker, president, will attempt to post their best times on the course.

“For years, we have been amazed at the tremendous eye-hand coordination skills developed by professional Walker operators,” said Bob Walker. “This event showcases and gives the competitive setting for recognition of the achievement of highly-skilled Walker operators in much the same way as professional athletic and racing competitions.”

The author is Managing Editor – Special Projects for Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at khampshire@gie.net.