Antique Tractor Show and Pull marks 29th year as part of XIT
By Wayne Speer
There was a good turnout for the Antique Tractor Show and Pull, held annually during the XIT Rodeo & Reunion, with a total of 31 tractors competing this year.
To qualify, tractors must be 1960 models or older, including tractors whose series started before 1960. The local competition is held under NATPA (National Antique Tractor Pullers Association) rules with a few minor modifications.
Over the two-day pull, there were 140 Hooks for all four divisions. (A Hook is each time that a tractor is hooked to the weight transfer sled, while tractors are separated into divisions according to size/type.) The tractors compete in different divisions and weights classes to see which can pull the weight sled the furthest. Tractors came from Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico and across the Panhandle area to compete in the event.
Trophies were given for the first and second place winners in each weight class of each of the four divisions
This year’s commemorative magnet that was given to contestants featured Gerald Unruh’s 1935 John Deere D in remembrance of him. He was one of our members who passed away this year.
Pokey the Clown (Doug Smith from Panhandle) and his son, Jeff, again helped with flagging the tractors for starts and stops. Pokey has assisted for 26 years, and this year he also provided a sound system, a shade for spectators, chocolate milk donated by Plains Dairy and water donated by Sonic and others businesses for all drivers and helpers. All was much appreciated.
Organizers thanked the many businesses and individuals who sponsored the Tractor Show and Pull this year. They also thanked all the volunteers who helped put on the Pull, including those who assisted with the track preparation, pull-back, scraper and packer drivers, sled operators, scheduling, record keeping and announcing.
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