By Ashok Verma
IT’S full steam ahead as a long-held dream finally comes true with Whittlesea welcoming its first major event of the year on January 17.
Whittlesea Showgrounds is gearing up for the thunderous roar of the first Whittlesea Modified Tractor Pull as participants muscle up with their pulling power.
Down Under Modified Tractor Pulling Association president Brendan Cornfoot said he had been associated with organising such events across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia for the past 20 years.
The Whittlesea event, supported by the Whittlesea Agricultural Society, has been in the making for 10 years.
It is part of the Whittlesea Modified Tractor Pull and Truck & Ute Show on the day.
Explaining his group’s life-long love for tractor pulling, Mr Cornfoot said: “We travel around, we have a lot of fun, and it is a real family oriented fun sport. There’s 30-plus tractors. There are over 300 members in the association, with diverse backgrounds including farmers, plumbers, earth movers, doctors and cabinet makers”.
At the event, there will be no vintage tractors, just all modified, ranging from 350 horsepower to 5000 horsepower. Participants will come from all over Australia.
Cornfoot Bros has five classes of tractors, including Pro Stock, Limited Modified, Open Truck and Open Outlaw. Other competitors will have the same types of vehicles.
“At the Whittlesea event, we also have a junior mower class, with those taking part aged from eight to 16 years. They run a 16 horsepower engine only. They are the future of sport, these children. This is where they start and then they get to move on to the bigger ones,” Mr Cornfoot said.
The big attraction at the Whittlesea event will be Joe Cottam, 84, from Berrigan, New South Wales, who has been taking part in tractor pulling for more than 40 years. He plans to retire this year.
At the Whittlesea Modified Tractor Pull and Truck & Ute Show, there will also be 40 trucks and 20 utes. Organisers expect more than 4000 people at the event. It will be held at Whittlesea Showgrounds, 30 Yea Rd, Whittlesea. Gates open at 10am and the action will continue until 10pm.
Tractor pull starts at 2pm.
For more information, phone Brendan Cornfoot on 0429 815 825, or visit http://www.downundermtpa.com.au/
