Thank you for your interest in the American Racing Mower Association Local Chapter Program. This do:censored:ent will provide you with information about the ARMA organization and the advantages to being a part of the fastest growing nationally sanctioned lawnmower racing organization in the country. If you desire additional information please contact us via any of the methods mentioned on the last page.
History/Rationale:
The American Racing Mower Association (ARMA) was formed by a group of racers who intended to create a national organization that would unite groups from areas across the United States that wished to race under the guidance of a sanctioning body. Their motto became “Mower Racing for More People”. ARMA founders believed that there was a way to structure this body in a way that brought the focus of racing back to the racer rather than concentrating all efforts on promoting a product line. Through the combined efforts of ARMA staff and their sponsor Amsoil a first of its kind membership package was developed. Racers joining ARMA for the first time received a racing jersey, hat, two quarts of oil, lanyard, stickers and membership card. Never before had racers been given anything for their membership fee. Racers showed their appreciation for this program by quickly joining. ARMA membership has grown to 300+ in a relatively short period of time.
Following the development of this membership package, ARMA staff began to actively solicit suggestions from racers nationwide for the inaugural rulebook. In addition, rules for local racing organizations throughout the United States were examined and discussed. With a primary focus on safety combined with inclusiveness, the first rulebook was developed and released to the racers for their review.
A final piece of the organizational puzzle was added though a first of its kind racer appreciation program. ARMA staff decided that racers would not be charged to participate in National Point Series races. And, each racer would receive $30 per mower tow money for each machine brought to a National race and passed through tech. Never before had racers received any token for their efforts other than trophies. ARMA staff hoped that this would help racers to realize that they appreciated the time, money, sacrifice and effort racers put into getting out to events.
ARMA Staff:
ARMA founding members brought with them a wealth of lawnmower racing experience. Knowledge gained from leading local chapters with other national organizations, racing throughout the United States and working as promoters for charity groups has all been utilized in the development and running of the ARMA. One of the greatest strengths of this organization is the diversity and experience of its staff.
Local Chapter Organization:
ARMA created the first racer initiated Local Chapter organization. Racers throughout the United States were offered the opportunity to bring their clubs into the ARMA. All that was required was the completion of a brief application and a one time $100 fee. Rather than a few or one single person deciding whether a group was worthy of joining a national organization, a review procedure was put into place to examine the applications and vote on them.
Local Chapters are given full access to ARMA staff, support materials, and promotional assistance. This one tier system provides Local Chapters with equal access and assistance. The ability to access the wealth of knowledge from the members of the racer-based Board of Directors with their diverse backgrounds and racing experience assists new and existing clubs in their growth.
ARMA Organizational Structure:
ARMA is overseen by a Board of Directors which includes the National President, Vice President, and Executive Director. Regional Directors provide assistance, support and guidance to Local Chapters in their area. Local Chapter Presidents guide the day-to-day operations of local chapter organizations. Each local chapter appoints a member to serve on the ARMA Advisory Board. This first of its kind board enables the appointed member to gather information, suggestions, issues and concerns from racers in their local chapter. They then communicate directly with the Board of Directors so that all racer's voices can be heard and their views expressed in an effective and timely manner.
Event Liason:
ARMA is pleased to offer a unique service beginning this year. A member of the Board of Directors has assumed an additional duty as Event Liason. This person has successfully run one of the largest festivals on the East Coast for the past several years. In his capacity as Event Liason he will help provide Local Chapters with suggestions for self-promotion of local events. Additionally, he will assist in coordinating and promoting National Points races with venues throughout the country. This one-of-a-kind position will enable ARMA and its racers to continue to put on high quality races.
Safety:
ARMA is very proud of its safety record. It is better than any other national organization. ARMA racers have proven themselves to be true professionals, both in the safety level built into their machines and through their actions on the track. Guidance from the leaders of local chapters has encouraged this level of commitment from the racers.
Insurance:
ARMA provides its racers higher levels of more complete coverage than any other national organization. With two million dollars of event insurance ARMA provides a full range of coverage for all involved, from venue hosts, vendors and spectators to our participating racers. No other national organization provides this quality and quan:censored:y of insurance to its local chapters. With the insurance situation we have developed there is only limited paperwork for our local chapters to complete. And, best of all, the insurance is offered at minimal cost to our local chapters.
Promotion:
ARMA is unique in its organizational focus and guiding principles. Our primary concern is for the racers and the growth of the sport of lawnmower racing. Although we are partnered with Amsoil as our National Point Series sponsor, our organization and its racers are not simply a means to promote a product. Racers are not expected to be spokespersons for any of our primary or secondary sponsors.
Since its inception ARMA has actively worked to promote lawnmower racing in a variety of areas. ARMA is a member of multiple state fair and festival associations. Through this membership many of our local chapters have booked race dates at venues where they hadn't raced previously. National Point Series races this year brought lawnmower racing to crowds of people that had never experienced this sport before. This had led to growth in many local chapter areas.
In addition to promotional work at trade shows, ARMA staff is available to assist local chapters and potential local chapters with hosting build clinics. These events are excellent ways to develop interest in local organizations and the sport. ARMA also can help provide quality resources to racers so that they are capable of building a safe, reliable racing mower.
Rather than paying search engines to promote our website, ARMA has chosen a different route. It has paid off with huge dividends. Since the development of our new website in December we have had over 218,000 hits on the site. This site offers our local chapters a chance to make announcements, list results and promote races in an organized, easy to use format.
As ARMA is becoming a more recognized national organization, media coverage is increasing. Local Chapter Presidents as well as ARMA staffs have demonstrated their ability to successfully handle radio, tv and newspaper interviews. ARMA staff have developed good working relationships with local and national media outlets.
Charitable Functions:
No work that ARMA performs is as important as the work we do for charity. ARMA's national organization as well as its local chapters hold multiple events each year for a variety of charities that range from community centers for children to fire companies. Our racers have shown a great deal of dedication in their work to support worthy causes. We are very proud of the work we have done and good it has brought to others.
Contact Information:
Please feel free to contact ARMA staff using any of the methods listed below if you have further questions.
National President- Aaron Crowl
443-677-4878
qmreb@comcast.netNational Vice President- Larry Lanning
570-639-2013
Executive Director- Stacey Crowl
443-677-4876
stmowtivator@comcast.net