Lawnmowers seem destined for drudgery.

Confined to the garage for at least half the year, they're let loose only to pace the lawn and chew an overgrowth of grass and weeds. Then back to the concrete dungeon, where the Subaru awaits with its mocking smirk (because he gets taken out daily and spent last weekend perched on the coast with a fab view of the Atlantic while the humans took surfing lessons).

There's no joy in a lawnmower's life. No relief from the monotonous back and forth. No moments of glory.

Unless, of course, a lucky lawnmower finds its way into the tinkering hands of a lawnmower racer.

It does happen.

The proud mowers at last weekend's lawnmower races are proof of it.

The races are held at the Pathfinders Snowmobile Club in Saco. It's a novel way for the club to raise funds during the off season - and give a few lawnmowers a taste of grass-free heaven.

The concept is simple. Those old riding lawnmowers most folks would "put out to pasture" (or, more appropriately, removed from the pasture) are modified slightly for the racetrack. Blades are removed to prevent an unfortunate limb removal. A tether is attached to the key, so the mower turns off should a rider get tossed. And those wild mower wranglers are expected to wear helmets.

Lawnmower racing can be dangerous.

The pace mower leads the racers around the track.

When the green flag goes waving, the race is on.

There's clearly a trick to keeping upright while riding around the small dirt track. A number of racers kept their rears to the inside of the seat, dangling precariously over the side of the mower.

Sometimes a mower lost a wheel. Sometimes a mower panted, coughed and came to a rolling stop. Sometimes it could be revived. Sometimes it was pushed off the track.

But it was nice to see those mowers fulfill a speedy destiny that eludes most motorized lawncare equipment. If only for a few spins around a track on one warm summer evening.

There weren't as many spills and collisions here like you might find at Beech Ridge motor speedway, but the expectation of some dramatic overturn still keeps watchers attentive.

It's $4 to spectate at the races - and the proceeds go straight to Saco Pathfinders for winter trail grooming and other expenses.

There's a small kitchen inside the clubhouse where Red hot dogs, burger, fries and the like are sold.

And folks in the stands seemed pretty comfortable paired up next to their coolers. What was in them, I couldn't say. But people don't usually bring 12 sodas to a two-hour event. I'm just sayin'.

Find the full lawnmower racing schedule on www.sacopathfinders.net

Check out a fine slideshow and story from the PPH a while back: "Mowers - they're not just for grass anymore"