The National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) didn’t need to look any further than RFD-TV to find an audience for its weekly program, which airs original episodes on Wednesdays with encores on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. “Rural America’s Most Important Network” is an ideal fit for the farm machinery power-pulling competition loved by rural folks all across the country.
“‘NTPA Championship Pulling’ is a fast-paced, high-energy program that entertains and informs viewers,” said Gregg Randall, the NTPA’s Executive Director and the series’ Executive Producer. “We look forward to the great challenge at hand to bring a new look to the sport of pulling, and build the interest and fan base from this great opportunity.”
When it comes to truck and tractor pulling, the NTPA is a world leader as well as the sport’s oldest and most respected sanctioning organization for premier-level competition. The Association regulates approximately 150 sessions of pulling action throughout the United States.
Any tractor pull is an ultimate contest between the immovable object and the irresistible force. However, the NTPA leads the way in brute force with jaw-dropping displays of supreme horsepower. The object is to pull a weighted sled, which becomes progressively heavier, down the track as far as a competitor and their machine can take it. The competitor who pulls the furthest distance without going out of bounds is declared the victor. There are 13 varying classifications at the Grand National level of NTPA Championship Pulling.
Pulling Tractors resemble the farm-style vehicle with various alterations and performance upgrades. Classes include Light Super Stock, Super Stock Diesel, Super Stock Open, Super Farm, and Pro Stock.
Pulling Trucks range from pickups to big rigs, with two categories keeping their tires planted for four-wheel traction and two others reaching for the sky. Divisions include Two Wheel Drive, Four Wheel Drive, Super Stock Diesel 4x4, and Super Semi.
Pulling Modifieds come in all shapes sizes, from one to five engines and one to four tons. Divisions include Minis, Light Modifieds, multi-engine Modifieds, and Unlimiteds.
The sport of pulling can trace its roots back to the early part of the 20th century when people got together to have draft horse pulls. As agriculture expanded and the use of gasoline and diesel engines became the norm, the challenge was often laid down between neighboring farmers. They wanted to know who had the strongest tractor in the township? In the county? In the state? What about across all of America? The concept remains the same today; however, technology has surpassed all expectations.
The commitment of each competitor is constantly divided among their business, family, finances, and time to work on their machines. It is truly inspiring to evaluate the level of dedication and passion these men and women have for their chosen sport. It is a collaborative effort of friends and family to make things happen.
What began back in NTPA’s infancy has grown into a major sport, with more than a thousand members who compete at five different levels of events – State, Regional, Pro, Grand, and Super National – throughout the U.S. and Canada. Pulling has crossed the Atlantic and is now a major sport in more than 10 countries throughout Europe and Australia, too.
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