Melanie Riley
CASTERTON saw big name tractors haul into town for their first tractor pull competition event over the weekend.
More than 1000 people walked through the gates of the Australian Tractor Pullers Association (ATPA) 2024 event, hosted by the Casterton Street Drags club and Casterton Sporting Motorcycle Club.
The point-scoring event saw participation of 24 tractors, and included several pulling classes and subclasses, as well as a separate class for locals.
The points are tallied up at each event up until the end of the year.
The Casterton event was the last event before the upcoming Tractor Pull Championships in Quambatook over Easter weekend.
The event was the first of its kind for the town and first event organised by Casterton Street Drags club with Pat Smith as president.
Mr Smith said after months of preparation and organisation, he and the club were happy with the event’s success.
“It was a successful weekend, excellent weather and a great turn out,” he said.
“It was a massive effort from both clubs involved and I think the effort paid off in the end.”
He extended thanks to all involved in making the inaugural event run smoothly.
“We hope that this year’s event was successful enough to be able to hold it again in the future,” Mr Smith said.
Australian Tractor Pullers Association (ATPA) president Carl Bonk was impressed with the efforts of the clubs involved, especially as a first-time event.
“It was absolutely awesome and the track was fantastic,” he said.
“All of our members came away happy, not a drama.”
“It was a grouse track, and fast too.”
Mr Bonk said the event often sees his wife and son drive, but he was able to get in and have a go this time around.
“Casterton was the first time I’ve driven my own tractor for three years, it was all running that good that I got a chance to have a go,” he said.
“It doesn’t worry me if I don’t drive, but that was really good.”
He and the ATPA were overall happy with the success of the day, and there were hopes the event would continue to be hosted in Casterton in the future.
“They had a great bunch of workers and a great bunch of people to deal with, it was fantastic, nothing was a drama.”
“We’re pretty happy, hopefully we’re going to be there next year.”
Mini Modified – 770kg: Tossa (105.71m), 2 Tuff (99.99), Ruptured Duck 3 (99.15), Buckenhell (96.95), Mad House (88.29); 825kg: Ruptured Duck 3 (86), Buckenhell (85.54), 2 Tuff (83.76), Mad House (79.27), Tossa (54.4); 900kg: Ruptured Duck 3 (87.32), Mad House (84.86), Buckenhell (83.82), 2 Tuff (82.42), Tossa (DNP).
Super Mini Modified – 860kg: Rockabilly (94.05), Flamin Furious (87.42), Barneys Animal (77.57), Pacman (47.82); 890kg: Flamin Furious (87.5), Rockabilly (85.9), Barneys Animal (73.58), Pacman (DNP); 920kg: Flamin Furious (86.02), Rockabilly (84.45), Barneys Animal (73.02), Pacman (DNP).
Open Mini Modified A – 900kg: Hectic (99.36); 925kg: Hectic (90.39), 950kg: Hectic (105.2).
Open Mini Modified B – 900kg: Who Cares (91.69); 925kg: Who Cares (89.51); 950kg (93.26).
Limited Modified – 2.5 tonne: Rumpus (87.92); 2.9 tonne: Rumpus (109.86), 3.4 tonne: Rumpus (108.18).
2WD Truck Modified A – 2.5 tonne: Chillie Town Thunder (80.96), Resurrection (59.18); 2.6 tonne: Chillie Town Thunder (80.27), Resurrection (70.55); 2.7 tonne: Resurrection (101.13), Chillie Town Thunder (DNP).
2WD Truck Modified B – 2.5 tonne: Bizzee B (103.27); 2.6 tonne: Bizzee B (107.74); 2.7 tonne: Bizzee B (104.21).
Pro Stock – 4.2 tonne: Red Devil (81.79); 4.2 tonne: Red Devil (86.06); 4.2 tonne: Red Devil (81.03).
Open Modified – 4.2 tonne: Sledgehammer (103.25), Rushan Devil (93.12); 4.2 tonne: Rushan Devil (93.13), Sledgehammer (DNP); 4.2 tonne: Rushan Devil (79.99), Sledgehammer (DNP).
Super Modified – 4.3 tonne: Disorderly Conduct (82.71), Woteva (78.87); 4.3 tonne: Woteva (81.87), Disorderly Conduct (79.11); 4.3 tonne: Woteva (81.61), Disorderly Conduct (81.35).
Modified Farm – 5.2 tonne: One More Turn (87.09), Wasted Days (82.28), Little Devil (78.18), Nothing Left (70.88); 5.2 tonne: One More Turn (87.59), Little Devil (76.22), Wasted Days (73.87), Nothing Left (70.38); 5.2 tonne: One More Turn (83.43), Wasted Days (81.05), Little Devil (77.53), Nothing Left (72.71).
