Monsters set for Kalkee
Blue Ribbon Raceway will become home to diesel smoke, multi-engined tractors and supercharged V8 engines when Down Under Modified Tractor Pulling Association brings its show to the region on Saturday.
The event represents the first time tractor-pulling motor sport will be at the Kalkee raceway and organisers have constructed a specially prepared track.
Tractor pulling involves modified tractors or trucks dragging a weighted metal sled along a prescribed course.
Pulling an ever-increasing load eventually causes the vehicle to lose forward momentum and torque and a rare few might reach the end of the course, known as a ‘full pull’.
The distance from start to finish is measured within millimetres and the tractor that pulls the sled the furthest distance is declared the winner.
If more than one competitor reaches the full pull mark of 100 metres, a pull-off will determine the winner.
Various tractor classes and designs with feature, from mini modifieds with single V8 engines up to multi-engined ‘monsters’ with up to four supercharged V8 engines run- ning methanol to move the sled to the end of the course. Some of these tractors appear the same as vehicles in paddocks, but others are ‘works of art’ and push out more than 8000 horsepower.
Headlining the program will be an imported Coyote owned and run by Peter Mann, a veteran of the sport who has been involved since the 1970s.
Powered by four Rodeck engines, Peter travelled to Canada to buy the machine and bring it back for this season.
The Coyote, the first of its kind in Australia, produces more than 8000 horsepower and uses 125 litres of methanol per run.
Another tractor to watch will be the Gary Johnson 1800 horsepower supercharged V8 methanol powered Stampede.
Johnson is an ex drag-racer and mechanic who gets the most out of the engines he builds.
Having less horsepower might seem to be a disadvantage, but the combination of horsepower and torque can be overcome by the limitation of traction, and driving skill will come to the fore.
Another highlight will be diesel-powered tractors – Wicked Whitetail, owned and driven by Brendan Cornfoot, is an 1100hp 8.3L John Deere turbo-charged beast. Cornfoot imported the tractor from the US, where it had won titles in the hands of Jeremy Roberts.
Action will start at 2pm with vintage tractors before big modified tractors hit the track at 4pm.
There will be three heat races for all classes during the family-friendly event that also includes children’s activities. Action will continue into the evening.
An ‘open pit’ will allow spectators to get up close to the machines and chat to the drivers and learn more about the sport. There will also be infield spectator access.