Tractor fun pulls large crowd
Edward McDougall having fun at the Scottsdale Tractor Pull last weekend.
March 27, 2024
Close to 500 people got a taste of turbo-charged tractors at the annual Scottsdale Tractor Pull Challenge at Santarena Park, Jetsonville, on the weekend.
Now in its second year, the event is organised by Scottsdale Rotary with support from the Tasmanian Tractor Pullers Association.
“It was a huge effort for the association to bring this event to the North-East,” Rotary President Guy Jetson said.
“To coordinate the transport of tractors and equipment and run the event for our community relies on the generous support of club sponsors and volunteers and it was great to see our local participants learning about running a tractor pull and helping out with the event.
“A great example of this was young Jack Millwood who drove the track smudge for the entire weekend.”
The event will definitely be an annual fixture and Mr Jetson said the committee was looking at growing it even further with other attractions.
“We really appreciated having the North-East Axemen Association join us this year, and we had a blacksmith display,” he said.
Forty competitors, including 12 locals, took part in competition.
Jermaine Williams and Graeme Lette could not be separated on their John Deere tractors having both achieved a ‘full pull’ of the 100m length of competition track, eventually requiring a long chain and the pull-back tractor being added to the sled.
“Williams won the tie break pull, but not without controversy! Graeme’s already talking about next year’s challenge,” Mr Jetson joked.
Other locals claiming trophies in their respective classes included Cameron Willis on his International 50, Lachie Cassidy on a Case 1194, Mardi Kettle on a Massey Ferguson, Wayne Stagg on a mini modified, Mandy McKay on a grey Fergie and the youngest competitor Asha Kumav on a modified ride-on mower.
Tim Hall received an encouragement award for his drive on his V8 Fergie and work on the weekend while Keran Thompson received the inaugural Scottsdale Tractor Pull Challenge Perpetual Trophy for his contribution to the event.