Bobby Cleveland's 96.5 MPH Lawn Mower -- Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Record

Bobby Cleveland took a modified Snapper riding lawn mower to the Bonneville Salt Flats in September 2010 and clocked an official 96.529 miles per hour -- setting the world land speed record for a lawn mower that still stands. The 10-time USLMRA national champion upgraded the mower with a modified 20-horsepower Briggs and Stratton V-Twin engine, a billet flywheel, and a custom power wing designed to keep the front end planted at speed. Cleveland spent two days and five runs dialing in the setup before shattering the previous record held by British driver Don Wales, reclaiming the title for the United States. The journey to Bonneville was the culmination of a lifetime in lawn mower racing -- Cleveland built the world's first Monster Mower in 2003, a machine so absurd it became a staple of the USLMRA exhibition circuit. He is a Hall of Famer in the US Lawn Mower Racing Association and has been featured by ESPN, Engadget, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. At nearly 97 mph, Cleveland proved that the humble riding mower -- a machine designed to cut grass at walking speed -- has more potential than anyone ever imagined.