Lawn legends unleashed

A quick lap to the end of the driveway and back in a cloud of smoke was all a group of Wakefield lads needed to prepare them for an 86km journey on ride-on mowers last weekend.

The group of childhood friends, Ben Palmer, Hayden Bashford, Kurt Mcdonald and Mark Dephoff, set off on Friday, headed for the start line of the Mowsworth Rampage ready to ride the length of the Molesworth on mowers.

The fundraiser for Nelson Tasman Hospice and Cancer Society Nelson Tasman, was originally scheduled to take place in March, but the high fire risk postponed it to 19 October.

Ben says this gave them “way too much time” to tinker with the rides.

Hayden, a builder by trade, opting for a fully enclosed cab, with Ben choosing the lighter option of a simple canopy overhead.

Kurt’s big enhancement saw the addition of a bright pink coat of paint, a product of leaving the mower in Ben’s garage while they waited for the race to be rescheduled.

Not too concerned about the fact that he’d forgotten the spare engine oil, diesel mechanic Mark Dephoff had been relegated to the task of pit crew and fixer-upper for the journey.

He rocked up on Friday ready to go, no pre-ride safety checks needed.

Ben says Mark performed like a “slick Formula One pitman”.

“We couldn’t have done it without him.”

With a top speed of just 7kmh, Ben was expecting to take more than 13 hours for the journey on his 30-year-old Husqvarna.

But at the 20km checkpoint, trailing in almost last place despite hitting the downhill stretches in neutral, Ben made the switch to the faster spare model being carted by Mark, which allowed the team to all make it through in the 12 hour timeframe by 7pm.

This was despite the “few dramas” that plagued the team throughout the journey.

Hayden snapped his tensioner spring just 20kms in and had to change rides, Kurt’s drive belt slipped for the first 10kms and Ben’s pink skirt – part of the team’s uniform – got caught around the diff and was ripped clean off.

“One guy lost all forward gears and had to do the last 17km in reverse, which was an amazing effort,” Ben says. “We went through around 120ltrs of fuel and no flat tyres, which was a bonus.”

All jokes aside, the event held a special place in the group’s heart, which meant they were all too happy to take part alongside the 43 other riders. Hayden’s father passed away a few years ago after a cancer battle under the care of the region’s hospice and he says it was “pretty humbling” to have the support of his mates, and the many who donated both big and small amounts.

“It’s all those little donations that added up,” Ben says.

The team managed to raise $9000 between them and took out three of the top five spots on the individual fundraising board.

After a well earned meal and sleep in Hanmer Springs, the team loaded the mowers up and headed home, laden with an extra piece of equipment – a team trophy from prize-giving.

“Thanks to organisers and full credit to Stu Newport, hopefully it happens again next year.”

With $54k raised at the time of print, donations will remain open for a few weeks.