The Shadetree Speedway in Clearfield Township has hosted lawn tractor races the past eight years. This year some of those racers will show their skill at the Butler Farm Show.

CONNOQUENESSING TWP — A Clearfield Township tradition is cutting a path to the Butler Farm Show.

This year, Jerry Garing and his family are bringing the lawn tractor races to the arena at the farm show grounds.

The Garings opened the only local lawn mower track — Shadetree Speedway — on Carbon Center Road eight years ago for lawn tractor races after practicing at Lernerville. Those summer races have garnered regulars who will be showcasing their sport for a different audience starting at 8 p.m. Aug. 10.

"You're going to see something you're used to seeing going 4 mph going 40 mph," Jerry Garing said.

Garing said farm show officials invited him this year.

"It's the same format, the only difference is it's at the farm show," Garing said.

While the Shadetree track is 1/8 mile long and clay, and this event will be in the large arena dirt, Garing expects to hold to the same events.

About 15 veterans of lawn mower and race cart races will compete for the top spot in several events. Lawn tractor race classes include stock lawn tractor, open modified tractor, stock karts, youth karts, and two and four stroke quads. In lawn tractor races, the blades are removed to increase speed and safety.

Lawn tractor races started in the mid-1970s in England, Garing said, as an inexpensive alternative to stock car racing. When it moved to the United States, the U.S. Lawn Mower Association began a rolling start tradition and the type of lawn mowers used evolved.

The rolling start is used at Shadetree and will be used at the farm show.

"It gives everyone a fair shot," Garing said.

Garing said the safety standards also have improved.

"For example, when we started years ago, you didn't have to wear a chest protector," Garing said.

That hasn't changed the competitive spirit, though.

"Racers are racers," he said.

Garing also hopes the showcased event gives the sport renewed interest. As the racers have gotten older, interest has waned, he said.

This event will give the sport a chance to attract interest from a different crowd.

Garing won't be among the competitors, though. He'll be four stories up scoring the races.