Some of the best truck and tractor pullers in the region came last weekend to the Miller Coliseum for the seventh annual 2012 Southern Invitational.
Men and women from across the country brought specially made vehicles to compete for first place, all trying to drive the farthest down a straight line. For one local family, this sport has become a way to spend quality time together.
Two members of the Bowman family competed in different classes, while another member of the clan, Charlie Bowman, helped keep the track drivable during the competition.
It has been a family tradition for the past several years to take part in the sport that they all dearly love.
“It was something my dad did, and I love tractors, so it was something I walked into,” said Christopher Bowman, who is a junior at Tennessee Tech, after his run on Saturday afternoon.
Charlie’s brother, Bill Bowman, got involved with the sport after watching other members of his family race. But, he has been in motorsports for a long time. He used to race go-carts.
“We have a good time as a family,” Bill Bowman said.
Bill Bowman ran in the 6200 Limited LSS Tractor division with his tractor, “Deer Gone Wild.” During the Saturday afternoon race, he finished third in the class and advanced to the class finals, held later that night. He finished eighth in the finals.
He might not have the experience that his other family members have, but Bill Bowman said he has been a fast learner. He competes as part of the Middle Tennessee Pullers Association. In the past two seasons, he has ended up with the most points at the end of each campaign.
Christopher Bowman, who is Bill Bowman’s nephew, also raced this weekend. He raced his Blue Ford tractor “Calculated Guesswork” in the 12000 Hot Farm Tractor class. Last year, he finished fifth in the same class with the same tractor. This year, he finished 11th, just short of making it to the finals.
The Bradyville native noted he had his tractor in the wrong gear during the pass, causing him to not qualify for the main event.
The crews on each vehicle spend lots of time making it race ready.
These are not your typical tractors or truck that you see on the road or on the farm. Several parts have to be changed and upgraded to race condition.
What makes this sport unique to others is you only got one shot to get it down the course in a straight line, while towing a sled that holds up to 40,000 pounds of weight.
“I just make sure I got everything turned out, and put it in the right gear,” Christopher Bowman said, referring to how racers get ready for the flagman to drop the flag and send him on his way down the track.
The goal is to make it down the dirt course not in the fastest time, like in most motorsports, but the furthest distance possible. The ultimate reward is taking it the entire distance, otherwise known as a “full pull.”
Like in all pulling competitions, there are several full pulls during the weekend. Each time a racer completed a full pull, the crowd would erupt with excitement.
Neither Bowman reached that 260-foot distance, which was the full-pull goal this year. But both men have experienced the thrill of accomplishing that mark.
“It’s awesome, I’m so excited that the tractor did so well,” Christopher Bowman said of his feeling when he accomplishes the full pull.
Another unique aspect to this sport is the different paint jobs and special names that competitors give their vehicles of choice.
Christopher Bowman named his tractor “Calculated Guesswork” after his dad.
Because the Southern Invitational is near their family, the Bowmans said they enjoy being able to run in front of the family and not travel as far, unlike other meets he competes in each year.
“It’s really nice to be this close,” Bill Bowman said. “Your family gets to see you ride.” |
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