| |
The British Tractor Pullers
Association ( BTPA. ) was formed in 1978 after the introduction of the
sport from the USA and the first events being staged in England & Europe
in 1977. Affiliated to the European Tractor Pulling Committee ( ETPC. )
the BTPA sanctions tractor pulling events in the UK. The competition takes
place on a 100 metre track, and involves the machines pulling a weight
transfer sledge. A weight transfer sledge basically gets heavier to pull
as it is pulled down the track. This is achieved by increasing the weight
on the pan of the sledge by moving the weight box from the rear to the
front of the sledge as the
sledge is pulled forward. The winner of the competition is the machine that
can pull the sledge the furthest. If more than one competitor completes
the 100 metre track with the sledge ( a Full Pull ), then the sledge is
made harder to pull, and the competitors who made a Full Pull go again until they are stopped
and a winner obtained.
Tractor Pulling is called "The World's
Most Powerful Motor Sport" with some machines producing in excess of 9000
horsepower. The sport however has many varied classes from the small
single engined 950kg Modifieds , through the stock machines to the multi
engined 4.5 tonne machines. Here is a brief description of the classes
competed by the BTPA. The weight of each class is the weight of the
machine & driver ready to compete.
|
A typical Sledge
|
| |
Super Farm Class
The Super Farm class is based on a
stock farm tractor and is limited to one turbo charger and a RPM limit of
2800. The original tractor engine must be used. This is a low cost class and a starting class for many competitors.
The class is competed at 3.5 tonnes.
|
Super Farm - JD 'n' Smoke
|
| |
Under 401 Prostock Class
The Under 401 Prostock class is a again
based on a farm tractor using the original engine, is limited to one turbo
charger and a engine size of 401 cubic inches (6.57 litres). There is no
RPM limit on this class. This class for many is the next step up from
Super Farm. The class is competed at 3.5 tonnes.
|
Under 401 Prostock - Major Madness
|
| |
Prostock Class
The Prostock class is the next level of
stock machines. This class is again limited to one turbo chargers, but
with a larger limit to engine size of 510 cubic inches ( 8.36 litres), and
again must use the original engine
block and cylinder head. These machines become much more highly tuned than
the previous classes and again
compete at 3.5 tonnes.
|
Prostock - Rough Justice
|
| |
Superstock Class
The Superstock class is the most highly
tuned of the stock classes. Based on a stock tractor the machines can use
up to 3 turbo pressure stages. As long as the original engine block is
used they can be tuned to almost any level, most these days not using the
tractors original fuel of diesel but choosing to run on methanol to
achieve more power. The class again competes at 3.5 tonnes.
|
Superstock - Red Fever
|
| |
950kg Modified Class
The smallest of the modified classes,
and formally called the Mini Modified class, this class is a single engine
machine weighing in at just 950kg complete with driver. Engines used range
from supercharged V8's , turbine engines to V12 aircraft engines.
|
950kg Modified - The Dealer
|
| |
Modified Class
This is the class where almost anything
goes. Any combination of engines, gearbox's and rear axles. The class is
competed at 2.5 , 3.5 & 4.5 tonnes. ETPC limitations are set to limit
which engine combinations can be used to obtain a fair horsepower limit
for each weight class. The 4.5 tonne class is the most powerful in the
sport seeing engine combinations like 5 - V8's, 3 - V12 aircraft engines
or 4 - turbines. Horsepower's over 9000 are not uncommon. The BTPA also
has a Limited Modified class, this is a 3.5 tonne class with lower
horsepower limits than the normal 3.5 class to provide a lower cost entry
class into the modified division.
|
5 - V8 Powered Modified - Desperate Dan
|
| |
Two Wheel Drive Class
This single V8 engined class is
basically a modified class with a dragster funny car type body fitted. The
engine size of this class is limited depending on the type of cylinder
heads fitted. This provides a class where the competition is very close.
The class is competed at 2600 kg.
|
Two Wheel Drive - Legend & Hero
|
| |
Trucks
This class is basically a road going
twin axle Truck with safety modifications for pulling. The amount of
tuning allowed has been kept low to provide an entry level class into
pulling. The class is competed at 8.5 tonnes.
|
Truck - Wicked Blue
|
