Project Runningblade claims world record for fastest lawnmower

The Honour Motorsport-backed Project Runningblade has claimed a new landspeed record for the world’s fastest lawnmower at Pendine Sands in South Wales. Driver, Don Wales, steered the Kawasaki-powered Countax ride-on machine beyond the 87 mph barrier for the first time, surpassing the previous top speed of 80.792 mph reached by Bob Cleveland on a home-built lawnmower in 2006 at Bonneville Flats, USA,

In line with regulations, Don Wales, the eight-time landspeed record holder cut grass outside Pendine’s Museum of Speed, before beating the existing four-year old target on the military beach by nearly 6 mph on Saturday (86.069). The grandson of Sir Donald Campbell who made his debut in 1924 on the same sands, then went on to set the new outright world landspeed record for a lawnmower at 87.833 mph, after successfully completing two individually timed runs within a one-hour period along the shores of Carmathen Bay in Sunday’s session.

Don Wales not only enters the history books with nine such accolades to his name, but the latest attempt also marks the accomplishment of the dream of motoring author and Runningblade’s Team Principal, Stephen Vokins, who laid down the British challenge in 2009 following heart surgery. The project has equally raised significant funds for the Wessex Heartbeat charity which supports the Wessex Cardiac Centre at Southampton General Hospital where the TV presenter received the life-saving treatment.

Adrian Honour, Managing Director of Honour Motorsport, explains: “We would like to congratulate Don Wales and the team for such a remarkable achievement. It has been a real privilege to be part of such an exciting project, and the success which we have witnessed today is a true testament to all the hard work which has been put in by all involved during the past year.”

For further information about Project Runningblade, visit projectrunningblade.co.uk.