The guys at Country Channel TV have
produced another Tractor Pulling Program. This one shows the British guys
competing at the 30th European Indoor Superpull at Ahoy Stadium Rotterdam
in March. You will probably recognise the voice of the commentator as our
very own Tom Beattie. This is Tom's first go at TV commentating, and makes
the transition from track-side to production studio very well. To watch
the program visit
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php?channel=countrychannel&program=199709
11.6.08
Angus Show Report
This was the STPC’s only
Friday night event of this year , and it went very well. it started at
about 7.15pm and there was already an audience appearing. Some spectators
had came to watch the preparation for the tractor pulling. The sun was
also out to watch the smoke rise from the tractors exhausts. This also
contributed towards making the event enjoyable.
Again, Jim Wilson drove up to the sledge to take a test pull, with his
Massey Ferguson Rob Roy. The track seemed to be dry and most tractors had
their wheels spinning from the very start to the very end of their run.
The Eliminator brought Rob Roy to a halt at 33.50m. He then went on to do
a pull for the Superfarm Class. This time he took the sledge to 110.31m.
The third time he went he got another full pull at 113.27m. Jim seemed to
be enjoying pulling the sledge as he had about 6 goes of it.
The next tractor to challenge the sledge was True Blue with driver Sandy
Simpson, for the Prostock (under 401 cui) Class. In the first pull True
Blue, and Scotch Mist with Andy Wallace for the same class, were stopped
before the 70m mark, but True Blue then went to 115.43m in his second run
and Scotch Mist got 117.40m. It then came down to the Pull-off and Sandy
on it with True Blue beating Andy and Scotch Mist by just over 7 metres.
Next class to take on the sledge was Prostock (over 401 cui). Pist n Broke
went the full length of the track and got the full pull. Driver Alex
Rearie was very pleased with this. The second time he was out on to the
track, the John Deere didn’t seem to be offering to leave the starting
line. But he came on again just before the end of the day and proved that
Pist n Broke wasn’t finished for the day and did another full pull.
The Superstocks then came to the track, with Ian Ross and Magnum Force
going first. Ian drove the Case International all the way to 119.42m. This
showed that his new turbo was working well. Perkoil Express and Davie Gall
stepped to the starting line next. They too got a full pull but it was 2
metres short of Magnum Force’s. the next time that the Superstocks
returned, Perkoil Express went first. Something was obviously wrong in the
eyes of the audience as Davie only managed up to 10.13m. Magnum Force went
on and again went for the full pull and again succeeded.
Overall, Angus Show organisers felt that the number of tractors was
adequate enough to make it a very organised event and it helped make the
event nice and easy to prepare and tidy up. They also thanked us for our
politeness and kindness overall.
( Taken from the www.stpc.org.uk
website. Visit for results & photos )
4.6.2008
Gt. Eccleston On-Line Tickets
Tickets are now available to purchase
on-line for the NWTPC August event at Gt. Eccleston. This event will see
the usually spectacular floodlit pull on the Saturday evening with
European pullers in attendance, followed by Sundays event , the highlight
being the final round of the 950kkg Modified Euro-Cup class. So buy your
tickets now and save money. Visit
www.nwtpc.co.uk
2.6.2008
Kirkbride
Saturday
morning saw the sun blazing down on the Kirkbride track. The new clay
added to the track after last years event look good apart from the
appearance of a few stones. After a stone picking session and the adding
of water the track went down very well ready for the start of the pulling.
The list of tractors was smaller than expected due to many factors , the
Euro-Cup in Made,NL, some teams with holiday commitments, while others had
broken or were awaiting parts. This however allowed those tractors there
to do more runs than time would normally have allowed, which was good for
some to get their machines dialled in after winter work.
The day was split into 2 sessions to
allow for a break ,so the pits could be opened to the public to look
around the tractors. The competitors were warned at the drivers meeting
that the very smart looking Belgium sledge brought over for the event
would be a lot easier to get off the line than most pullers were used to.
The day started with the Super Farm class with all machines achieving a
Full Pull in good style, even the very well turned out new machine Red
Bull. After the Pull Off , which saw all the tractors again having good
runs, followed the first run for the Under 401 class, with most tractors
achieving a Full Pull and the drivers really liking the way they could get
moving down the track with the sledge. Then came a demo run from the much
worked on Simply Red Prostock. The good track and much improved wheel
speed caught John out, with the front end of the tractor heading skyward
straight off the line, ending with a short rough ride , similar to that
experienced by Desperate Dan at Zwolle in January. John was very pleased
though with the potential and the team started work on modifications ready
for another try later in the day. Before the break saw 2 more impressive
demo runs from Billy Walker driving Judgement Deere , and Karl Carter
driving Desperate Dan.
After the break was the Pull
Off of the Under 401 class, with the guys down from Scotland putting in
some great performances. The Truck class followed , then there was another
demo run from Judgement Deere. Robert Armistead then took to the seat of
Desperate Dan for the first time, doing a great Full Pull , front in the
air, a great Desperate Dan performance. Simply Red was ready just in time
to do the final run of the day. With more weight on the front this time
John did a good run, hooking up well and taking the sledge down to around
the 70 metre mark. Much more to come from that tractor this season and a
great way to end day 1 at Kirkbride.
Following a great evening in the White Heather
Hotel on site, day 2 started with a noticeable change in the weather. The
sun had been replaced by clouds , and as soon as the pulling got underway
the rain started and continued for some hours until the organisers had no
choice but to cancel the days event. A great shame the rain spoiling what
was until becoming a great weekend. The site at Kirkbride as the potential
to become another great NWTPC venue. Lets hope the weather is kinder for
the October event there.
Some YouTube videos from the weekend.
17.5.2008
Eliminator Sledge Receives ETPC Licence
The STPC sledge "The Eliminator" is the first UK sledge to
receive a 2008
Licence from the ETPC. The members of the Scottish club have worked very
hard over the last few weeks in order to get the sledge ready for their first
event
of 2008 at Fife Show today. The sledge was inspected by the ETPC Sledge
Inspection Team
on Monday and has received a National B Licence. The sledge is currently the
only sledge in the UK to hold an ETPC license and meet the HSE recommendation of
" use of best practice". The BTPA , and all its Competitors would like to thank
the STPC
for all their hard work in making the sledge comply with the new ETPC safety
rules.
More Tractor Pulling on Country
Channel TV
The Country Channel TV internet site have produced 2 " Behind
the Scenes" films
( If you have trouble viewing the films on the Country Channel
site or the wrong film appear
click on "SETTINGS" on the website. Select 400kb and select "POP3(mms/rtsp) in
the
Media Servers drop down box)
Simply Red Up and Running
Simply Red has been fired up for the first time after its
winter rebuild.
Take a look
Whilst the Scottish Club are working hard to get there sled up
to the new ETPC rules,
ready for ETPC inspection and there first event at Fife, the NW Club
have been making improvements to the Track & spectator facilities at Gt.
Eccleston.
For more updates on the NW website visit www.nwtpc.co.uk
First BTPA Event of the Season
The 1st BTPA Event of the Season will take place at Fife Show
in Scotland
on the 17th May. For more details visit www.stpc.org.uk
2 weeks later will be the 2nd Event at Kirkbride , near
Carlisle
31st May - 1st June. For more details visitwww.nwtpc.co.uk
Online Newsletter
The BTPA Online Newsletter is now available. If you wish to
receive it
sign up by using the link at the top of the page.
Arnhem
The next indoor event of the season takes place at Arnhem -
Holland this coming weekend
April 12th 2008. British Competitors making the trip will be Red Alert ,
Red Fever,
Desperate Dan and a new British TWD Risky Bizzness - the old Heartbeat now owned
by
Mark Pacey & Andy Miller.
At an extraordinary AGM. of the SWTPC the members decided to
make dormant the club
affiliated to the BTPA and start a new club ( SWTPA ) to organise events in the
SW area. This
decision was taken on the basis that there was not enough ETPC approved sledges
available for
the 2008 season. It was also stated that for the present time the sledge used by
the SWTPA would not be brought up to the new rules required by the ETPC.
The SWTPA is in no way affiliated to the BTPA or ETPC and no Tractor registered
with the BTPA or an ETPC affiliated Organisation should compete at a SWTPA
Event.
Kirkbride Dates Confirmed
Event dates are now confirmed.
See Events for more info
Gt. Eccleston on TV.
A Program of the 2007 British Championships will be shown on
Men & Motors ( Sky Channel 131 - Virgin Media Channel 286)
on Saturday March 22nd at 6pm
Chris George
It is with sadness that we here that Chris George passed away
on the 20th February,
following a long battle with cancer. Chris was involved with Tractor Pulling
from the early days, as a member of the SWTPC. and the BTPA. With tractors
including Avon Lady and John Bull he entertained pulling fans around
the country. Chris was always willing to help other pullers by making parts
and passing on his knowledge of the sport. He will be sadly missed by many.
Our thoughts are with his wife Kate and family.
Join the BTPA
You can now join the BTPA as a Non-Competing Member.
Click on the 'Join' link above and print off the application form.
Forms for Tractor Registration & Competing Memberships will
be available soon.
Event Dates Posted
Start
filling in your diaries. This years dates posted on the
Events Page. There is
still a couple to finalise, these will be posted ASAP
Register for Electronic Newsletter
You can
now register to receive the BTPA Electronic Newsletter
as well as the lastest news on events, via Email.
Click on Newsletter
at the top of the BTPA website
to register. If anyone has any news to be included
please email it via the Contacts page on the Website.
WEBSITE UPDATE
We are
currently upgrading the website, we apologise for
any inconvenience.
BTPA A.G.M.
The BTPA
AGM will be held Saturday 26th January 2008 at 2pm,
at the Quality Hotel, Chesford Bridge, Kenilworth,
Nr.Warwick.
New DVD
Available
Gt.
Eccleston August Pull 2007 DVD
Includes an highlights programme plus extended
coverage of the Saturday & Sunday Pulls.
