There were thrills and spills at the Ride On Mower Nationals in Omokorora as more than 25 riders took to the track to thrash it out.

The annual event run as part of the Omokoroa No.1 School gala day featured 29 races in four different classes, attracting riders from as far as Paraparaumu.

Riders take to the track at the annual Ride On Mower day at Omokoroa No.1 School. Photo: Christian Froehlich.

Bay of Plenty Lawn Mower Racing Club president Adam Pendred says the event on Sunday was the biggest yet.

'Racing was very exciting and pretty full on. It was the final series and we had the highest number of entries yet.”

Bay of Plenty club riders Tor Cunningham, Adam Pendred and Chris Heenan won the top three spots in the national series final on classes one, two and three respectively.

Lawnmowers in the three classes have been modified to reach speeds of up to 50km/h. The competition also featured the Outlaws class for mowers with motorcycle engines.

Adam says there was one crash in the event when two drivers attempting to overtake another mower edged a wheel over the mower causing it to overturn.

'The guy was fine, he got up and carried on racing.”

Spectator Christian Froehlich took his 8-year-old daughter to the event and says it was hugely popular with large crowds already gathering at 10am on Sunday morning.

'It was very busy from the beginning. There were lots of things to do for the kids, the racing was good and they had band in the afternoon.”

The day also featured helicopter rides, air rifle range, plate smashing with all of the money raised going towards projects for the school.