Kentucky's Hillside Pull near "Hoptown" - A Great Success
by Sherry Linville
photos by Barry Linville

A great place to be if you love antique tractor pulling was the Hillside Farms Antique Tractor Pullers event near Hopkinsville, Kentucky ("Hoptown" to the locals) on May 31st, 2008. The home track for the Kentucky Outlaw sled, this pull welcomed pullers from just up the road as well as pullers from hundreds of miles away. As the second pull of their season began, a threat of possible thunderstorms made it important to keep things running as efficiently as possible. From Farm Stock to Open/Outlaw classes, the double track stayed busy from early afternoon until well after midnight when the storms finally arrived. With tons of hooks it was a full day of pulling for those who participated.

Hillside Farms provided a wonderful place for beginning pullers as evidenced by the number of first timers who took to the wheel. From youngsters who were getting their first taste of pulling to wives who were testing out their husband's pastime to retirees who were jumping into a new hobby, the pull allowed a great place to get your "feet wet" as a puller (even before the rain started). The atmosphere at Hillside Farms pulls was one of encouragement for those new to the sport. Several fathers (and grandfathers) were seen passing on wisdom to second and third generation pullers. A good sign of a healthy sport shows when it has caught the interest of young people as well as the more "mature". There were many young faces among those who pulled on May 31st.

Two of the young men coached down the track by their dads were making their first hooks at an antique tractor pull. Matt McGuire of Lafayette, Kentucky pulled for the first time on an Allis Chalmers joining his brother and his father, Jim, in a sport that has become a family hobby. Kyle Hancock made his debut as a puller carrying on a "Family Tradition" (his father's and grandfather's Minneapolis Moline) on "Little Tradition", an MM U. He handled the front end coming up at the end of the track like a veteran so the family coaching paid off. The friendly atmosphere at the western Kentucky track provided a wonderful place for young ones (and older ones) to get a feel for the tractor, sled and track combination which makes up a big part of antique tractor pulling.

The late May event saw the debut of several vintage pullers as well. Chad McCain (seen on the cover) debuted his John Deere G after 19 months of work. McCain's work was completed at 2:00 a.m. on the 31st of May so that he could compete later in the day.

Another first hook was on the Oliver driven by John Chriskie of Cadiz, Kentucky. Chriskie had been introduced to tractor pulling after relocating from Michigan three years ago. Bill and Larry Lawrence had given him opportunity to pull on their vintage Olivers last season and helped him get his tractor running for this season . That was just one example of the how antique tractor pullers offer help to others involved with the sport. (Other examples were their help to push Chriskie's tractor off the track when it had problems and then their efforts to get it running for its next hook!) A number of pullers present have gained reputations for their work on the vintage tractors so they not only enjoy the sport but are helping others enjoy it as well.

Very competitive tractors are always present at a Hillside Farms pull and competition is intense. Many of the pullers have years of experience in antique tractor pulling and have honed their skills to make them hard to beat on a pulling track.

In May several members of the Mean Green Pulling Team hauled to test out their tractors against Kentucky and Tennessee pullers who pull frequently near Hopkinsville. They were looking for a chance to test out Hillside Farms reputation. It was a return trip for several of the pullers from Mean Green and they knew they were going to have to get things "right" to come away with a hook good enough to win. Several of the long distance pullers were involved in the jackpot classes and the heavier classes that fell late in the evening. Sled problems which hit after dark bumped their hooks even later. However, after hauling several hours to western Kentucky, the Mississippi pullers were content to wait with the hopes of getting their chance to show what they could do on the track.

It takes many hands to make an antique tractor pull a success. Jeff and Lana Hale had several sets of extra hands that helped make sure their event ran as smoothly as possible. Registration of pullers, announcing the pulling action, working the concession stand, running the sleds and managing track grooming require a lot of helping hands to insure that the pull goes well. The experienced helpers they had at the pull resulted in a well run event.

Lana added a special "down home" flavor to the normal concession stand fare with her homemade desserts. Many extra touches have made pulling at Hillside Farms special. Starting in 2007 Hillside offered the opportunity to pull for points for those who pull frequently with them and they have numerous pullers who have signed up to compete for points this season.

At a time when people are having to make wise decisions about where to spend their travel money to go tractor pulling, Hillside Farms Antique Tractor Pullers is a place that makes it worth consideration. The level of competition is high but the atmosphere is great for the beginning puller who is looking for experience. Their next pull will be August 2, 2008. Think about it!

HILLSIDE FARMS ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULLERS HOPKINSVILLE KY.
MAY 31 2008

WE HAD 288 HOOKS
THEN WERE RAINED OUT THE LAST FEW CLASSES

FARM 3500
1.TRISTON WALKER 66 OLIVER 189.43
2. CODY GRESHAM 335 MOLINE 126.03
3. ERIKA YATES 66 OLIVER 254.79 DQ
4000
1.BILL LAWRENCE 900 FORD 291.64
2.JASON HUNT SUPER H 285.11
3.CLINT GRESHAM Z MOLINE 266.27
4500
1.BILL LAWRENCE 900 FORD 168.54
2.JASON HUNT SUPER H 164.84
3.JIM MCGUIRE WD-45 158.34
5000
1.CODY FARMER FARMALL M 228.64
2.APRIL MCLAUGHLIN D-17 ALLIS 225.70
3.JUSTIN DAVIS FARMALL- M 221.66
5500
1.APRIL MCLAUGHLIN D-17 ALLIS 256.71
2.MICHELE TRAVIS M-FARMALL 255.34
3.CODY FARMER M-FARMALL 233.78
6000
1.MICHELE TRAVIS M-FARMALL 285.92
2.APRIL MCLAUGHLIN D-17 ALLIS 280.29
3.DELMAR HARGIS M-FARMALL 256.60
6250 P.P.
1.ANGIE YATES 770 OLIVER 309.21
2. MARTHA FARMER 88 OLIVER 254.18
6500
1.RICK FARMER 880 OLIVER 311.18
2.LACY OLIVER 770 OLIVER 310.27
3.CODY GRESHAM 60 JD 308.32
7000
1.BUDDY BENNIETT SUPER M 314.52
2.LACY OLIVER 770 OLIVER 313.71
3.RICK FARMER 880 OLIVER 312.76
7500
1.LACY OLIVER 770 OLIVER 315.48
2.CODY GRESHAM 630 JD 250.20
3.REX JOHNSON JD 183.96
8000
1.CODY GRESHAM 630 JD 247.35
2.REX JOHNSON JD 187.45

SUPER FARM 3500
1.JASON THOMPSON 300 INTER 223.13
2.CHRIS HANCOCK WD 45ALLIS 217.35
3.HAYDEN GIBSON WC-ALLIS 216.23
4000
1.CHRIS EAST 77 OLIVER 246.74
2.HAYDEN GIBSON WC ALLIS 243.02
3.TERA HANCOCK WD 45 ALLIS 238.77
4500
1.CHRIS EAST 77 OLIVER 247.47
2.KATHY HANCOCK 88 OLIVER 246.61
3.JASON THOMPSON 300 INTER. 239.27
5000
1.CHRIS EAST 77 OLIVER 253.78
2.STEVE HARGIS M FARMALL 251.75
3.DAVID MCGHEE 77 OLIVER 251.39
5500
1.STEVE HARGIS M FARMALL 276.89
2.ALAN RAY M FARMALL 272.67
3.BARRY BLANE 880 OLIVER 271.54
6000
1.BARRY BLANE 880 OLIVER 252.55
2.ANTHONY CARR 569 INTER. 225.66
3.R.M. MOBLEY M FARMALL 222.70
6500
1.DOUG MCLAUGHLIN M MOLINE 237.34
2.BILL LAWRENCE 880 OLIVER 233.76
3.TAD MALLETT SUPER M 233.56
7000, 7500 & 8000
RAINED OUT

OUTLAW 3500
1.BOBBY BIRDSONG 460 INTER. 209.62
2.JASON RICE FORD 8N 209.09
4000
1.KEVIN BIRDSONG 460 FARMALL 302.36
2.BUBBA EMMICK 460 INTER. 282.48
4500
1.KEVIN BIRDSONG 460 INTER. 288.94
2.DONNIE GILKEY M FARMALL 266.81
5000
1. ROY ALEXANDER 560 INTER 220.05
5500
1.DANIEL RODER OLIVER 222.17
2.ROY ALEXANDER 560 INTER 221.84
6500
1.RAY DENNEY MOLINE 323.61
2.NEIL HANCOCK MOLINE 320.69
3.HOUSTON JACKSON MOLINE 313.45
7000
1.GR HARDIN MOLINE 288.11
2.MARCUS GRESHAM MOLINE 251.26
7500
1.RAYMOND CROSSAND MOLINE 299.14

REGULAR 3500
1.BILL LESTER H FARMALL 322.25
2. BILLY BIRDSONG H FARMALL 314.31
4000
1.LISA HANCOCK WD 45 ALLIS 253.61
2.TONY KELLY H FARMALL 252.78
3.RANDY BLANCHARD 77 OLIVER 248.70
4500
1.RANDY BLANCHARD 77 OLIVER 247.50
2.MIKE BRASHEARS M FARMALL 245.48
3. MICHEL FULLER 88 OLIVER 245.25
5000
1.BOBBY HINTON M FARMALL 268.19
2.JOHN VICK 560 INTER 267.16
3.JAY TRAVIS 460 INTER 258.49
5500
1. JOHN VICK 560 INTER 216.76
2.MIKE BRASHEAR M FARMALL 214.70
3.R.M. MOBLEY H FARMALL 174.62
6000
1.TYLER HANCOCK MOLINE 276.72
2.BILL LESTER MOLINE 270.75
3.R.M. MOBLEY H FARMALL 252.95
7000
1.JIM BROOME M FARMALL 238.74
2. KEVIN GRESHAM MOLINE 243.79
7500
RAINED OUT
8500
RAINED OUT

OPEN 6 MPH 3750
1.BOBBY BIRDSONG 460 INTER 281.67
2.BUBBA EMMICK 460 INTER 255.24
3.JASON RICE 8 N FORD 208.42
4250
1.BOBBY BIRDSONG 460 INTER 295.75
2BUBBA EMMICK 460 INTER 286.75
3.JR. COE 88 OLIVER 273.54
4750
1.KERRY UNDERHILL 880 OLIVER 277.26
2.CLAY REYNOLDS 460 INTER 273.80
3.CHRISTY GILKEY M FARMALL 273.40
5250
1.CHARLES HANCOCK MOLINE 293.86
2.TREVOR GILKEY M FARMALL 291.63
3.CLAY REYNOLDS 460 INTER 280.01
6250
1.NEIL HANCOCK G-6 MOLINE 311.72
2.RAY DENNEY MOLINE 293.36
3.ROBERT BAGGETT MOLINE 269.09

OPEN 8 MPH 4250
1.RANDY BLANCHARD 880 OLIVER 284.06
2.KEVIN BIRDSONG 460 INTERN 283.43
3. JR COE 88 OLIVER 282.47
4750
1.RANDY BLANCHARD 880 OLIVER 295.29
2.DONNIE GILKEY M FARMALL 279.08
3. ELMER GLASS M FARMALL 278.38
5250
1.CHARLES HANCOCK MOLINE 305.45
2.TREVOR GILKEY M FARMALL 286.85
3.ELMER GLASS M FARMALL 284.36
5750
1.BILL LESTER MOLINE 198.36
2.CHARLES HANCOCK MOLINE 194.11
3.CHRIS HANCOCK MOLINE 192.58
6250
1.HOUSTON JACKSON MOLINE 299.63
2.NEIL HANCOCK G-6 MOLINE 296.25
3.RAY DENNEY MOLINE 296.18

KING OF THE HILLSIDE
6250 SUPER FARM
1. BILL LAWRENCE 880 OLIVER 213.80
2.BILL LESTER SUPER H 212.71
3.DOUG WALLACE MOLINE 209.35
6750 5 MPH
1.GR HARDIN MOLINE 267.53
2.CHRIS HANCOCK MOLINE 262.51-276.62
3.BILL LESTER MOLINE 262.51-258.83