NATPA
Season Finale

Spring welcomes many new occurrences: flowers, leaves, new babies around the farm, and another planting season. But for National Antique Tractor Pullers Association pullers, spring also marks an end, the end of their indoor pulling season.

The annual NATPA championship weekend for the 2009 season was held in Columbia, Missouri at the Boone County Fairgrounds on April 3 and 4, 2009. Pullers from 13 states made the journey to central Missouri to complete the 13th season of the organization. When the last hook was tallied, the winners in each class had been decided and pullers celebrated the completion of another season.

Prior to the championship pull on Saturday, a final regional points pull was held on Friday, April 3, which gave competitors one more chance to add to their points total and one more hook to help tweak the tractor before the finale. Several points races were sealed up on Friday but non-members were also given a chance to test the metal of their tractor. Fred Grahlherr of Texico, Illinois, brought his Farmall M to see how he measured up against the tractors in two different Division III classes. A shift of weights made his second hook a better showing but he had a good time no matter the results. Friday's hooks numbered 390 and made for a full day of pulling.

If pullers are going to peak over the weekend, they hope it is not until Saturday. A great showing on Friday is nice but their sites are still set on Saturday. Having two good days in a row is what every puller hopes for as they look to the finish of the season. When the pull was finished, there were pullers thinking about what they would do differently the next day. Other pullers who were either not members of NATPA or had not pulled at enough regional pulls to qualify for the championship loaded their tractors for the trip home.

Friday evening was the scheduled NATPA membership meeting where the election of board members was completed and rules changes along with other business were discussed. It made for a long day for the members.

Saturday morning brought sunny skies and warm temperatures for the last pull of the season. For many pullers this pull had been on their minds since the summer pull when their points races began.

Pullers from many states participate in the National Antique Tractor Pulling Association and each year new members join the organization looking for a sport that they can participate in during the winter months. John Majzel of Corunna, Michigan, began his first NATPA season close to home with the late October NATPA pull in his hometown but it was not his first experience with tractor pulling. He has been pulling off and on for over 45 years having started on cement when he was just out of high school. During the summer he pulls with Mid-Michigan Old Gas Tractor club, the Clintonian circuit and the Thumb tractor pulling group. With his 1952 Farmall Super M (tractor) he got a great start with NATPA pulling in 5000 and 5500 Division II classes.

Antique tractor pulling has always had a strong link to multi-generations of family members. For some families it was using the tractor that had seen hard labor on the farm, for some it was finding a hobby that the whole family could participate in, and for others it was a sport that provided that drive to "go fast" which young ones are born with but are not big enough to participate in. It does not matter the reason but it is a delight to see the "families of tractor pulling". Three members of the Queck family from Peru, Iowa, brought this quality to the NATPA season this year. Robert Queck, son Steve and grandson Paul joined NATPA competitors on a 1945 John Deere GM. A fourth member of the family is also a puller but Daniel Queck lives in Oklahoma so he missed sharing the national pulls this season. The Quecks competed in several Division II classes on Friday and Saturday giving their JD a work out.

Persian orange was well represented in a three generation family as the Youngs from Ohio took to the track on their various Allis Chalmers tractors. Mike Young, son Kevin and grandson Cody have made antique tractor pulling a family affair with extended family, Daniel and James Young, also from Ohio. There were three generations of Linvilles also on the track for the championship as Roger Linville, son Chris and grandson Zack pulled. They used to be a totally John Deere family but their third generation puller has introduced a tractor of a different color to their collection pulling an E3 Co-op.

Though some of the races for points champion were decided before the trip to Columbia, others were still in question as the pullers prepared for the final chance to win the class. One such race in the 3500 Division III class saw a three way tie as the tractors lined up to hook. These competitors faced each other knowing two of them were not going to walk away excited about the results. When the dust settled on the class, Whipple had pocketed the win and was ready to get home to his seven week old baby girl. He was counting it a great weekend!

The FFA of Silex, Missouri, again provided help on both days of the pull. Promoters of pulls know how many hands it takes for a pull to run smooth and the help they receive from the FFA members makes a great difference in how the pull flows. This year the students who helped were recognized for their contribution to the pull's success and their sponsor was presented a check for their club from NATPA.

Since the beginning of the NATPA season pullers had battled on tracks in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas and Indiana for the honor of coming out on top in their chosen classes. Along the way there had been sunny skies, rain, sleet and snow with many miles of highway traveled. There had been break downs of tractors and break downs of haulers. Most of all there had been time spent enjoying a sport that had built friendships, new and old. When the count was in, there had been 241 hooks in the Championship pull. The banquet that caps off every season allowed pullers one more visit before they began their treks home. There was already talk of their next pull in Berrien Springs, Michigan on June 13, 2009 and the next NATPA season will be underway again!

NATPA Championship Pull

Columbia, MO

April 4, 2009

Class - 2500 Div I

1. Russell Barth/Doniphan NE/42 AC C/163.44

2. Jack Barham/Halfway MO/48 AC C/153.47

3. Susan Price/Halfaway MO/46 AC-C/149.72

Class - 2500 Div II

1. Gary Woodard/Wichita KS/47 AC-C/166.80

2. Russell Barth/Doniphan NE/42 AC C/162.92

3. Susan Price/Halfaway MO/46 AC-C/152.83

Class - 3000 Div II

1. Gary Woodard/Wichita KS/47 AC-C/FP

Class - 3250A Div III

1. Steve Roberts/Hannibal MO/39 Farmall F-14/FP

2. Liz Trowbridge/Kalamazoo MI/48 Farmall C/167.32

Class - 3250B Div III

1. Frank Ford/Center MO/57 Farmall 230/169.69

2. Carl Davis/St Charles MO/41 JD B/166.11

Class - 3250A Div IV

1. Steve Roberts/Hannibal MO/39 Farmall F-14/165.42

2. Liz Trowbridge/Kalamazoo MI/48 Farmall C/160.12

Class - 3250B Div IV

1. Eugene Sellers/Trout Run PA/57 Farmall 230/FP

2. Carl Davis/St Charles MO/41 JD B/170.78

3. Arnold Martin/Athens MI/57 Ford 600/166.67

Class - 3500 Div I

1. Clinton Davis/Saint Charles MO/41 JD-B/140.11

2. Sherman Wilshusen/Polk NE/51 Oliver 66/128.33

Class - 3500 Div II

1. Frank Jones/Halfway MO/37 AC-WC/165.45

2. Jim Young/Angelica NY/37 AC-WC/165.02

3. Jr. Holthaus/Axtell KS/38 AC-WC/159.39

Class - 3500 Div III

1. Tod Whipple/Mason MI/48 Farmall H/FP

2. James McQuoid/Gorin MO/36 AC-WC/172.36

3. Arnold Martin/Athens MI/56 Ford 960/169.96

Class - 3500 Div IV

1. Justin Hamel/Holbrook NE/51 AC-WD/161.63

2. Andrew Crum, Jr/Mexico MO/38 AC WC/154.59

3. Sherman Wilshusen/Polk NE/55 OL Super 66/ 144.92

Class - 3500 Div V

1. John McQuoid/Moscow Mills MO/58 OL 880 LR/ FP

2. Neil Huhn/Eagle MI/49 Oliver 88/166.83

Class - 3750 Div III

1. Tod Whipple/Mason MI/48 Farmall H/144.06

2. Robert Trowbridge/Kalamazoo MI/41 Farmall H/ 142.35

3. John Foust/Dover OH/55 Ford 960/142.32

Class - 3750 Div IV

1. Andrew Crum, Jr/Mexico MO/38 AC WC/157.62

2. Jesse Hamel/Holbrook NE/51 AC-WD/157.42

3. Sherman Wilshusen/Polk NE/55 OL Super 66/150.77

Class - 3750 Div V

1. John McQuoid Moscow Mills MO/58 OL 880 LR/ 160.28

2. Neil Huhn/Eagle MI/49 Oliver 88/145.15

Class - 4000 Div I

1. Delmer Rathje/Shelby NE/47 E-3 Coop/FP

2. Mike Young/Belle Valley OH/45 AC WC/153.21

Class - 4000 Div II

1. Frank Jones/Halfway MO/37 AC-WC/144.13

2. Jim Young/Angelica NY 37 AC-WC/139.26

3. Kollmeyer Pulling Team/Farmington MO/52 OL- 88/138.07

Class - 4000 Div III

1. Vonell Krom/Roann IN/56 Ford 960/145.44

2. Ruthann Meyer/Aurora IN/49 Oliver 77/144.98

3. Kyle Kertz/St. Genevieve MO/41 AC WC/ 142.91

Class - 4000 Div IV

1. Kurt Hamel/Holbrook NE/57 AC D-17/155.54

Class - 4000 Div V

1. Jody Barber/Oskaloosa IA/58 IH-460/167.82

2. Jack Bunyard/Augusta/ KS/58 OL 880/164.66

Class - 4250 Div III

1. Jack Barham/Halfway MO/37 AC WC/152.45

2. Vonell Krom/Roann IN/56 Ford 960/150.41

3. Valerie Feldpausch/St Johns MI/38 AC WC/ 149.79/152.71

Class - 4250 Div IV

1. Kurt Hamel/Holbrook NE/57 AC D-17/164.36

Class - 4500 Div I

1. Delmer Rathje/Shelby NE/47 E-3 Coop/139.16/1

2. Mike Young/Belle Valley OH/45 AC WC/132.74

Class - 4500 Div II

1. Kevin Young/Marengo OH/54 AC WD-45/153.11

2. Darrell Monckton/Fayette MO/51 OL 77/149.95

3. Leonard Zimmerman/Denver PA/36 AC WC/ 149.75

Class - 4500 Div III

1. Jack Barham/Halfway MO/37 AC WC/161.76

2. Theresa Taylor/Parma MI/52 OL-77/160.84

3. Dale Nelson/Lincoln NE/55 IH 300/160.5

Class - 4500 Div IV

1. Norbert Bremer/Ocheydan IA/56 OL Super 88/ FP/165.81

2. Gary Kluesner Jr./Benton MO/52 Oliver 88/ FP/159.36

3. Darrin Kalisek/Corunna MI/52 Farmall M/ 174.14/164.00

Class - 4500 Div V

1. Jack Bunyard/Augusta KS/58 OL 880/174.00

2. Jody Barber/Oskaloosa IA/58 IH-460/165.81

Class - 5000 Div II

1. Bob Bryan/Unidilla NE/51 Oliver 88/162.49

2. Jim Young/Angelica NY/32 Case CC/160.18

3. Kollmeyer Pulling Team/Farmington MO/49 OL 88/158.60

Class - 5000 Div III

1. Tom Isenhart/Allegan MI/52 Farmall M/166.96

2. Gary Baker/Manchester MI/47 Farmall M/163.64

3. Brian Smit/Sioux Falls SD/42 JD A/160.51

Class - 5000 Div IV

1. Dale Bradley/Greenfield IN/57 Moline 5-Star/ 177.95

2. Jarrod Hagena/Parker SD/52 MM UTS/177.16

3. Norbert Bremer/Ocheydan IA/56 OL Super 88/ 169.66

Class - 5000 Div V

1. Lindell Campbell/Billings MO/56 Farmall W-6/ 153.90

Class - 5500 Div I

1. Pat Ausdemore/Neola IA/51 JD-A/130.06

Class - 5500 Div II

1. Bob Bryan/Unidilla NE/51 Oliver 88/159.03

2. Warren Townsend/Munith MI/53 CO-OP E5/157.04

3. Steve Queck/Peru IA/45 JD GM/156.08

Class - 5500 Div III

1. Dale Bradley/Greenfield IN/ 50 OL-88/FP

2. Denny Smith/Elma IA/44 Farmall M/159.05

3. Don Walker/Waylad NY/56 MH-444/159.01

Class - 5500 Div IV

1. Dale Bradley/Greenfield IN/ 57 Moline 5-Star/140.00

2. Randy Forrest/Seneca PA/57 Case 600/111.08

3. Jarrod Hagena/Parker SD/52 MM UTS/110.04

Class - 5500 Div V

1. Lindell Campbell/Billings MO/56 Farmall W-6/ 081.04

Class - 6000 Div I

1. Pat Ausdemore/Neola IA/51 JD-A/140.01

Class - 6000 Div II

1. Kollmeyer Pulling Team/Farmington MO/49 OL 88/160.03

2. Brad Begeman/Mendon IL/49 OL-88 /146.00

3. Donald Woods/Springport MI/57 OL-SU-88/ 141.01

Class - 6000 Div III

1. Tom Shatek/Elma IA/52 Farmall SU-M/141.08

2. Don Walker/Waylad NY/56 MH-444/139.03

3. Dan Alexander/Flora IN/52 Framall W-9/138.03

Class - 6000 Div IV

1. Jim Johnson/Baldwin City KS/47 W9 McCormick/156.02

2. Arthur Forrest/Sligo PA/57 MM 5 Star/147.09

3. Lyle Roorda/Montezuma IA/57 MM 5-Star/ 146.10

Class - 6000 Div V

1. Arlan Campbell/Stark City MO/59 MM-GVI/FP

2. Curtis Rink/Wichita KS/59 MM GVI/161.11

3. Randy Babbitt/Overbrook KS/59 Massey 95/ 154.10

Class - 6500 Div I

1. Tom Greiner/Neola IA/50 JD-G/134.03

Class - 6500 Div II

1.Brad Begeman/Mendon IL/49 OL-88 /149.06

2. Mark Meisenheimer/Pilot Grove MO/53 MM- UB/144.02

3. Donald Woods/Springport MI/57 OL-SU-88/ 139.03

Class - 6500 Div III

1. Darrell Kusgen/Nelson MO/52 mm-G/161.11

2. Steve Beckley/Jonesboro IN/53 OL 88 /155.03

3. Dan Alexander/Flora IN/52 Framall W-9/149.09

Class - 6500 Div IV

1. Jim Johnson/Baldwin City KS/47 W9 McCormick/148.06

2. Kenneth Foland/Sidney NE/57 MM 5 Star/ 146.09

3. Randy Forrest/Seneca PA/57 Case 600/146.08

Class - 6500 Div V

1. Arlan Campbell/Stark City MO/59 MM-GVI/FP

Class - 7500 Div I

1. Tom Greiner/Neola IA/ 50 JD-G/136.07

Class - 7500 Div II

1. J. P. Dunn/Tabbetts MO/ 57 JD-720 Diesel/160.10

2. Brad Begeman/Mendon IL/52 MM-G/154.04

3. Gary Kavanaugh/Laurel NE/57 IHC 450 Dsl/141.11

Class - 7500 Div III

1. Joe Steineger/Kansas City KS/48 JD G/161.10

2. Dewayne Filges/Butler PA/38 John Deere G/157.11

3. Steve Timm/Boonville MO/57 MM 5-Star/156.08

Class - 7500 Div IV

1.Arthur Forrest/Sligo PA/ 57 MM 5 Star/158.08

2. Dean Constable/Blue Rapids KS/37 AC-A/ 143.08

3. Gary Van Buskirk/Rose Creek MN/57 JD 820/ 142.01

Class - 7500 Div V

1. Carroll Olson/Atkinson NE/59 MM-GVI/FP/ 154.02

2. Randy Babbitt/Overbrook KS/59 Massey 95/FP/ 153.09

3. Bryan Poulson/Antwerp OH/59 MM GVI/159.06

Class - 8500 Div II

1. Roger Linville/Osgood IN/57 JD 720/159.08

2. Brad Begeman/Mendon IL/52 MM-G/157.06

3. Gary Kavanaugh/Laurel NE/57 IHC 450 Dsl/ 156.09

Class - 8500 Div III

1. Ben Frazee/Slater MO/40 AC A/FP

2. Dewayne Filges/Butler PA/38 John Deere G/ 157.04

3. Ann Wenzig/Creston IA/47 JD-G/157.03

Class - 8500 Div IV

1. Dean Constable/Blue Rapids KS/37 AC-A/ 140.08

Class - 8500 Div V

1. Carroll Olson/Atkinson NE/59 MM-GVI/FP

2. Curtis Rink/Wichita KS/59 MM GVI/162.05

3. Bryan Poulson/Antwerp OH/59 MM GVI/154.00

Class - 9500 Div II

1. Roger Linville/Osgood IN/57 JD 720/158.05

2. Gary Van Buskirk/Rose Creek MN/57 JD 820/ 157.09