LINCOLNVILLE — No one was tired Sunday in Lincolnville, even though half the town had been up in Bangor cheering on Lincolnville native and wrestling champion Tim Boetsch the night before. Saturday night was for wrestling, Sunday was for racing lawn tractors, and by mid-afternoon, the Wentworth Road was shut down as mowers roared down its hardpack dirt.

For four hours, competitors transformed their yard workhorses into thoroughbreds — 18 of them in all different colors (one was glazed with a coat of gold paint).

The races drew contestants from the home town and as far off as Islesboro. 

Host Greg Boetsch, who is described by his neighbor William Shuttleworth as the “perennial but good-natured entrant loser,” welcomed the competitors to the event, which is becoming an anticipated tradition.

“The festive but intense edge to the race, replete with dozens of casserole dishes, ample beverages and kids running amok, is a throwback to the days when neighborhood mattered,” said Shuttleworth.

A reporter asked about photographing the event. The single prerequisite was: “Can she drink with the boys?”

But it was a serious event, as the mowers barreled down the short track. Racers leaned over the steering wheels, urging their machines to speeds unimagined.

This year’s winner was Johnny Calderwood, who took home the Top Dog Trophy. Calderwood won last year, as well.

He was riding a mower, “that must have traveled 30 miles an hour in the 150-foot race track,” said Shuttleworth, who was lone race official at the finish line in a T-shirt that read, “No bribe too small.”

Prize money was distributed to each division winner, split from the $10 entry fee. Drew Kelley, a seventh grader, was the youngest winner in his division.

The race took place on the road, which was cordoned off by hay bails, old fence posts, plastic fencing and old boards nailed to trees.

“Boetsch even added a special touch to this year’s event by installing an outhouse on his property, ‘only for the women,’ he loudly announced,” said Shuttleworth.

The crowd was large (for Lincolnville on a Sunday afternoon), and more than 75 spectators settled their lawn chairs safely well off the road, or they milled around kicking the tires and encouraging the racers.

 “Just look at this great crowd, everyone having a blast and enjoying the day,” said Gary Nevius, summer Wentworth resident and race starter.

The day was a double celebration, coming the night after the Tim Boetsch, Greg and Janis Boetsch’s youngest son, scored a s stunning second round knockout in a UFC fight at the Cross Center Auditorium in Bangor.

Tim, who resides in Pennsylvania, trained in Brewer for the fight and was a celebrated hero as he pummeled his opponent to the staggering delight of the hometown crowd.

It was estimated that approximately 90 Lincolnville residents rooted for their hometown hero at the Civic Center.

Tim’s brother, Aaron, also a winner in one of the divisions, is the quiet, behind the scenes organizer and cheerleader of this now annual summer event in August of each year.

Aaron lost the main heat in the race after his transmission seized up, but let people know that “next year the winner’s trophy will be mine.”

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657