GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- The first annual lawnmower race at the Mesa County Fair garnered a lot of attention, and a little participation.

Five racers took to the dirt track laced with cones for a competitive time, but mostly for fun.

"Mine is pretty much stock, I just lowered it and tweaked the pulleys to make it go a little bit faster," said racer Derek Deen.

Partnering with the the Western Slope Lawnmower Racing Association, the Mesa County Career Center provided some entertainment for folks at the fair.

"It's affordable, fun, and the whole family can do it," Deen said.

A family affair, for sure. "My son is riding in the race, we're cheering him on," Denise Brown added.

But this race has a much deeper meaning. While it may all be fun and games right now, organizers hope in the future it will bring in some proceeds that will give back to the community.

"We're hoping to be able to put the proceeds back into our club, to sponsor some kids who don't have as many resources," Tammy Gribble said.

She helps teach an engine repair class to high-schoolers at the Career Center. A class where kids get real hands on experience.

"It's very important to help teenagers get a head start in life," Deen said.

And for Brown's son, it's given him a project to keep him busy. "When he got it, it didn't run, it was rusty," she said. "They did pretty much everything. They had to fix the engine, paint it, everything."

Her son's 'Green Machine' made a good showing in a race littered with crashes, stalls, and slow-goers.

"Some of them are going slow, some are going fast, but they all seem to be having a great time," Brown said, watching from the stands.

It was a race many came out to and one organizers hope garner more attention next time.

"[We] hope that they'll bring out their mowers next time for our next race in October," Gribble said.

This was the second race for the small club out of the Career Center. They work closely with the Mesa County school district, and have put on races at the Grand Junction Motor Speedway before.