Here we are two days removed from the beginning of one of the cornerstone events of the indoor pulling world, the 2012 Midwest Winter Nationals in Gifford, Illinois at the Gordyville USA complex.   With the weather offering promise of cooperation this year record crowds could be expected at the event.  Be sure to check back here at www.hookmagazine.com for event details and photos.  The HOOK Magazine–Your Source for Antique, Classic, State, and Regional Pulling!

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With the beginning of December comes the annual rite of passage in Tunica, Mississippi with the Southern Nationals Antique Tractor pull at the Paul Battle Arena. Yet again, the Mean Green Pulling Team made an unprecedented effort to provide a stage that determines who is among the best of the best in the sport of antique pulling. Over 430 tractors registered for the event and made 1100-plus hooks over the course of three days.

Thursday’s highlights included the 4250 King of the Hill event, where a Queen took her rightful spot among the sport’s elite. Lanise Coe of Temple Hill, Kentucky piloted her Oliver 77 to the KOH win in the shootout over the hard-charging Ford of Athens, Michigan’s Arnold Martin. Coe joins her husband Jr. as a fellow KOH winner. Martin’s Ford is the first to be in the shootout of the KOH.

Friday was a full-on showdown of tractors in the Farm Stock I and II ranks, where the uncut and top-cut tire campaigning machines had their chance to test the Battle Arena track.

Saturday’s action featured the Butch Wood King of the Hill event, where 102 tractors fought for the top spot. Jim Benjamin’s stranglehold on the class was tightened further as he took his Michigan-based Farmall to the win, his fourth KOH title. Donnie Gilkey from Princeton, Kentucky proved to be a powerful foe for Benjamin in the shootout, also piloting a strong Farmall. Keeping the sport alive was also the theme for Saturday as the Kid’s Pull was also held, with 33 youngsters getting their first taste of pulling!

For more information on the “Showdown in the Tunica-town,” subscribe to The HOOK Magazine today, the #1 choice for Antique, Classic, State, and Regional Pulling!

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s Farm Show Complex was the center for the second edition of the Mid-Atlantic Super Pull produced by Brad Peters. With over 600 hooks last year in its’ first try, Peter’s sophomore effort was set to be even better.

Without a doubt the Farm Show Complex is one of the nicest buildings and facilities that has been used for pulling. As home to the Keystone Nationals, the Equine Arena that the pull is held in is next door to a building that measures 1 million square feet, enough room for 6 pulling tracks!

The Bushwhacker sled and the Brizendine sled were on hand to test the pullers. The crowd of haulers and tractors on the lot Saturday morning prior to the event held several more entries were sure to push those sleds to the limit!

One of the underlying issues from the pull last year was ventilation—getting the fumes out. That problem reared its head again this year, and we’ll address it in the January/February issue of The HOOK with the thought that out of adversity opportunity can be revealed!