Blue Force 5,000 mile tractor challenge

MILLSTREET Vintage Club welcomed the Blue Force 5000 mile Coastline Tractor Challenge, the staging saw two members of tractor enthusiast club Blue Force participate over 5,000-miles, not previously attempted on tractors.

Marking 100 years of blue tractor production, Blue Force chairman Phil Gibson and club treasurer Peter Plehov are stopping at several points on route that includes Bournemouth, Millstreet, Tralee, Galway and Edinburgh.

The pair set off from New Holland’s Basildon factory in two new T6 tractors supplied by the manufacturer. Each tractor is towing a shepherd’s hut, built by Phil and Peter - one hut for sleeping accommodation and the other for fuel, oil and supplies.

Driving a route around the coast of mainland UK & Ireland, the 51-day journey will culminate at Tractor Fest on June 10/11, at Newby Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire. Proceeds of the event going to Cancer and Children’s charities in the UK. Donations continue to be accepted, tickets also on offer for a restored Fordson Dexta kindly donated by club member Roy Cowgill.

The trip is almost entirely funded by donations that have come from club members and sponsors. New Holland dealer Robertsons of Orkney have funded the pair’s ferry crossings to the Orkney Islands to guarantee the islands’ blue tractor fans can be part of the celebrations.

Other New Holland dealers along the 5,000-mile route including Colemans of Millstreet extended a welcome to celebrate 100 years of blue tractors and support Phil and Peter on their journey. The Blue Force Tractor Club Twitter and Facebook feeds are providing regular progress updates, and a list of locations, and details of how you can donate to the two charities can be found on the club’s website www.blueforce.uk.com.