Prostocks - Tractor Pulling Ahoy 2018

Unlimiteds - Tractor Pulling Ahoy 2018

Q & A with Mark Blom

Mark Blom, from Exloerveen in the Netherlands. Mark is a crew member of the Exeption Pulling Team from the Netherlands. He´s also the current driver of the Exeption Mini Modified Tractor. 



pullingworld.com: What are you doing in your normal life?
Mark Blom: I work at Robertus Mechanisatie,  a farm equipment dealer,  as a salesman.

pullingworld.com: What do you like to do in your free time, except Tractor Pulling?
Mark Blom: Besides Tractorpulling I like to work on and drive my Kreidler mopeds. Being busy around the house, help out some friends on the farm and go on holidays now and then.

pullingworld.com: What do you like about Tractor Pulling?
Mark Blom: Tractorpulling is for me part serious - working on the Tractor and driving it on the track  - getting it better and more reliable within our resources is nice team effort. We know we don’t have a ‘winning’ Tractor. But when we think of some changes and it turns out we did better than the time before it’s a win for us!
The other part of Tractor Pulling is fun - we meet the same people every event as well in Holland as Europe. This means you get to know each other pretty good. It becomes kind of a Family.

pullingworld.com: What was your first Tractor Pulling event?
Mark Blom: My first Tractor Pulling event was Tractor Pulling Eext (NL), this pill is close to my hometown. We went there to see our neighbors compete. This was the Exception Pulling Team. I think i was 10 or so.

pullingworld.com: What is your favourite Event / Pulling track?
Mark Blom: It’s difficult to say which track is my favorite. Every event has his own image. The mix of large and small events and the number of events makes the Dutch Championship very interesting. 

pullingworld.com: When and where do you have driven a Pulling Tractor for the first time?
Mark Blom: I drove the Exception for the first time in 2006 at the Beach Pull in Putten (NL). We got a wild card in the Euro Cup Mini Unlimited class because Beverol was our sponsor back then (also Sponsor of the Beach Pull). Just before I had to drive an Englishman crashed with his Mini upside down. The Team made sure I could not see the track, so I did not get scared.
I was a great experience, especially because you don’t know what is coming.

pullingworld.com: What was your biggest success?
Mark Blom: The biggest success was our 2016 season. We drove the Euro Cup as well, had a lot of fun with our Team and the other Teams. Also we did well in the Championship. But when we ended 2nd in our last Euro Cup event in Brande (DK), we also jumped to the 3rd place in the ranking. This was very unexpected! With this result we placed ourselves for the European Championship in England.
Needles to see that with good results comes damages sometimes… we broke the second crankshaft of the season at the European Championship. Ended up 8th. But it’s a season we never forget!
 
pullingworld.com: Which Pulling classes do you like too?
Mark Blom: I like all the other GN-classes as well. In every class they face challenges to get their Tractors better, I admire everyone for all the creativity each winter! 

pullingworld.com: What was your biggest disappointment?
Mark Blom: In Made (NL) 2016 the first crankshaft broke. The Team had worked very hard to get the Tractor ready for the next Euro Cup. But with the help of Post & Dros it became possible to get the Tractor ready for the next event our homepull Eext (NL). Just before we were next in starting order, the Sledge broke down. So we couldn’t start.
The disappointment was for a short moment, because there was serious injury to the driver of the Tractor that made the Sledge brake down. The wellbeing of our colleague drivers is of course more important than us driving!

pullingworld.com: Which things must be changed in the future of the Tractor Pulling sport?
Mark Blom: We have a good organisation which is busy with plans for the future of our nice sport.  I hope we can keep the events easy accessible (entry prices) for our visitors. Lots of other events get really expensive. But we need the visitors as well as the events as the Teams. I hope we can maintain that! 

pullingworld.com: What are your plans for the future in Tractor Pulling?
Mark Blom: Our Team started in 1993 with Tractor Pulling, since then we try to build and create the most things ourselves. I hope we can keep doing this for the next years.

pullingworld.com: What was for you the most important moment in the sport?
Mark Blom: Our 3rd Place in the Euro Cup competition in 2016!

pullingworld.com: What was your favourite Pulling Tractor project in the workshop during a winter?
Mark Blom: The build of our current Tractor in 2013. With this Tractor we changed to the Cepek tires. Put us back in the sub top of the class. Was a nice project to build and a great experience to drive for the first time! 

pullingworld.com: Something you want to say?  
Mark Blom: I really enjoy reading the interview of Pulling colleagues. So keep up the good work!

pullingworld.com: Thank you for your time and good luck for the future!

Rocky and Extreme Temptation at the NFMS Pull 2018

After the huge damage at the Gordyville Winter Nationals in Gifford, Illinois in the USA, the both Dutch Pro Stocks headed to Louisville, Kentucky to the 50th NFMS Pull. At the NFMS Pull, the Tractors competed in the 10200lbs. Pro Stock class. But, what´s different to the Pro Stock class in Europe?
First the class has a much higher weight limit, in Europe the Pro Stocks run with 7700lbs. of weight, these are 2500lbs. weight difference. The second point is, the big US Pro Stocks running partly with 680cui. / 11.14l engines, the Europeans only with 510cui. / 8.3l engines. With all those points, the US Teams had an advantage over the IH Pro Stocks from Europe.
Extreme Temptation was the first who driven in the Pro Stock class on Friday evening. The Rocky guys had their competition on Saturday afternoon. Both Teams didn´t disappointed their fans this time. Extreme Temptation made a not bad pass with his smaller engine. William de Vos made a great start, but in the end of the pass, where the sledge dropped his pan, the rpm´s of the engine went down and Extreme Temptation´s run was over at 210.58 feet. In the end, William was around 30 feet / 9.14m behind the later winner Kevin Schmucker with his John Deere Pro Stock called ,,Git-Er-Dun Deere´´ of the class. 

Much better was the Saturday afternoon for the Rocky Pulling Team. Barend Huijbregts made a great start with his IH 1066 and the 510cui. engine roars down the track. Barend stopped with the Ironman sled at impressive 219.516 feet, what a run !
I think a lot´s of the US Pro Stock Pullers were sureprised by the performance of the IH Tractor. Surprisingly the run of Barend was enough for the 3rd place and the Dutch Team was qualified for the finals on Saturday night. Winner of this Pro Stock Session was another John Deere Tractor called ,,Rapped Up´´ with Mark Lawyer from New Castle, Indiana in the hot seat. But in the pits, after the afternoon session they found a major damage on the turbocharger. The Rocky Team decided not to start at the finals on Saturday evening. The risk was too high to damage more on the engine. After the lots of problems at the first Indoor Pull in Gifford, Illinois, the Rocky and Extreme Temptation Team were happy with the performance of their Tractors in Louisville.

For further information, check here: https://www.facebook.com/Extreme-Temptation-1500419773610804/?ref=py_c

or, check here: https://www.facebook.com/rockypullingteam/

The new Blower Power is ready for the 2018 season !

After a lots of work during the last weeks and days, the new 950kg / 2095lbs. Mini Modified Tractor called ,,Blower Power´´ of the Blower Power Pulling Team from Varhaug, in Norway is done. The Mini got a new 25CrMo4 tube frame with a new 25CrMo4 rollcage, a billet steering, carbon fiber fenders and a Vreeman sheet metal rear axle housing. The new Chassis with the billet steering was built by the Screamin´ Bobcat Pulling Team from Ijsselmuiden in the Netherlands. The Chassis itself is a copy of the successful Bobcat Jr. from 2017. But what´s different one the new Blower Blower chassis? The new tube frame is lighter, the drivers position is more forward and the center of gravity is lower than on the old one. The Norwegian Team hopes to get a better balance with this new Bobcat Jr. chassis in the future. The new carbon fiber fenders were built by Gertie Leusink of the Simply Irresistible Pulling Team from Dronten, in the Netherlands. Njål Rune Figved has done the paint job on the vehicle and the company named ,,Rumag´´ have made the stickers for the fenders and for the fuel and oil tank in front of the Hemi engine.

The completely new rearend in the Blower Power basic on a Ford 9´´ inch rear axle. The rear axle has a aluminium center section, a aluminium diff with special made gears, a special made ring and pinion gear, billet aluminium planetaries carrier housing with special built planetaries and Willwood brake calipers. The complete rear axle was constructed and built by Bennie Vreeman of Vampire Gears from Neede, in the Netherlands. Also the new gearbox with the CNC - milled aluminium housing and the new driveline was built by Bennie Vreeman. The clutch of the new ride is a 10´´ inch Molinari centrifugal clutch with 2 discs and is protected by a Browell aluminium clutch bell housing.
The rear wheels on the Tractor are a set of new Pioneer Giant Puller tyres on Real Wheel aluminium rims from the USA.
The new Mini Mod is powered by a Sassy Racing V8 Hemi engine on methanol fuel. The engine comes from the old Tractor. The V8 Hemi was checked and overhauled in their workshop during the winter. The power plant has a BAE billet aluminium engine block with Veney cylinder heads, Dan Olson Racing exhaust headers, MGP billet aluminium rods and CP-Carrillo billet aluminium pistons, a Winberg crankshaft, a DMPE 18-71 blower with a CGC Mk9 X carbon fiber scoop, a Sassy Racing fuel system with a Sassy Racing fuel pump, a new Moroso aluminium fuel and oil tank, a dry sump lubrication with a Aviaid oil pump, a MSD Pro Mag 44 ignition and a Racepak data logger by Post & Dros.
The Blower Power Pulling Team around Asbjorn Herikstad and Glenn Bjorheim will compete in the Norwegian Championship and in the Euro Cup again this season. The maiden voyage of the new Blower Power is planned for the 10th of March 2018, at the European Superpull in Ahoy, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 

for further information, check here: https://www.facebook.com/blowerpowerpullingteam/

Cornhusker Classic 2018 competitors are known !

check here: https://huskerpullpromotions.com/puller-information

New MF Pro Stock in the US

Since last year, there is a new V8 powered MF Component Pro Stock Tractor on the Badger State Pulling tracks in the USA. The owner of  the new Pro Stock called ,,Sleipnir" is Mike Everson from Belleville, Wisconsin. The new Tractor was built with the support by K&K Specialties (Kraig and Kurt Wileman) from Edgerton, Wisconsin and Luke Miller owner of 300 + Performance from Arthur, Illinois. The new Component Pro Stock received a Engler Machine & Tool chrome moly tube frame with a Engler Machine & Tool built chrome moly rollcage, a Rack and Pinion steering and a Engler Machine & Tool built rearend.
The rearend has a billet aluminium center section with a aluminium differential, a special made ring and pinion gear, billet aluminium planetaries carrier housing with special manufactured planetaries and billet brake discs with billet aluminium brake calipers. The complete rearend was built by Engler Machine & Tool from Princeton, Indiana. The new Massey Ferguson 8690 hood on the Tractor comes from the current Massey Ferguson 8000 series. Because of the V8 Perkins engine the new hood was a little bit changed on the side shields. They made the hood wider, where the cylinder banks and the exhaust headers stand out. The fenders of the Pro Stock were made off aluminium sheet metal. All the sheet metal work on the Massey were done by Kraig Wileman of K&K Specialties, Steve Shafer and Luke Miller of 300 + Performance.

The Pro Stock also got a new Profab transmisson with a Engler Machine & Tool billet driveline and a centrifugal clutch with a Probell clutch bell housing.
Mike purchased for his new ride a set of new Midwest aluminium rims with new Firestone Puller 2000 HP tires. The new Puller 2000 tires were cut by Mark Korth of K3 tire inc. from Beaver Dam in Wisconsin.
The new Sleipnir is powered by a turbocharged 673cui. / 11l V8 Perkins engine on diesel fuel. The engine got a V8 Perkins cast iron block with Powerbore sleeves, billet aluminium cylinder heads by Bamber Engineering, Vogel Manufacturing camshafts, a billet steel Scat crank with Bamber Engineering billet rods and pistons, a Kono Craft intake manifold, new exhaust headers built by Hypersports (Craig Campton), a billet Wimer turbocharger, a Aviaid oil pump, a IMCO fuel tank, a Scheid Diesel built diesel fuel injection pump and a Corsa data logger. The complete Perkins V8 engine was built together by Luke Miller of 300 + Performance.
Mike was very satisfied with the first passes in front of the Sledge last year. The new Tractor ran pretty well and they had no major damages (only some problems with the exhaust headers) on the Massey Ferguson during the 2017 season. Mike Everson has planned to compete on Badger State Pulls and on some Pro Pulling League and NTPA events this season.

Here are a few words from Mike Everson about his new Sleipnir Component Pro Stock:
There are so many behind the scenes people that have made many parts and have helped not been mentioned above not to mention my wife Sheila and daughters Jade, Callie and Brooke being supportive for all the long hours I put in building it. The tractor started with my brother Craig and I looking at a Massey Ferguson 1150 that Dan Kuhn’s (Pro-Stock named Trailblazer) had for sale in Arthur, IL we talked for a while and eventually got around to mentioning we like tractor pulling but don’t follow much other than our club Badger State Tractor Pullers (bstponline.com) and Dan said “ Well boys you better come with me” so we went across town to 300 + Performance where we first saw Dan’s tractor “Trailblazer” and met Luke Miller owner or 300 + Performance. We talked for a while told Luke and Dan we are born and raised Dairy Farm boys and grew up farming with Massey Ferguson farm tractors but always wanted a V8 Massey but never had one. On the way home my brother and I decided maybe we should build a V8 Massey Pro Stock like Trailblazer to pull in our local club. So the next day I made a call to K&K specialties (Kraig and Kurt Wileman) and talked to Kraig about building a tractor so he initiated a call to Engler Machine (Tim Engler) and ordered a chassis. The chassis then went to K&K for some of the long list of items yet left to fabricate. Once taken as far as we could considering we didn’t have an engine yet due to parts shortage of the few items we didn’t manufacture ourselves the tractor went to 300 + Performance to be completed.

for further information, check here: https://www.facebook.com/SleipnirMF8690/

This Weekend !

https://www.europeansuperpull.nl/en

Tractor Pulling European Superpull Ahoy (NL) 1998 by Jens Nieting

Update Wind Up

Our low budget project's website has a little update!

http://windup-team.blogspot.de

MINI ROD TRACTORS 2018 DEKALB SUPER PULL EATON, OH

Q & A with Chuck Knapp

Chuck Knapp, 58 years old from Charles City, Iowa in the USA. He is the driver and owner of the Unlimited Modified Tractor called ,,Screamin´ D´´. Chuck is the current NTPA Grand National Champion of the Unlimited Mod division.

pullingworld.com: What are you doing in your normal life?
Chuck Knapp: I am a farmer. We farm around 9,000 acres of corn and soybeans. We also raise around 125,000 hogs per year.

pullingworld.com: What do you like to do in your free time, except Tractor Pulling?
Chuck Knapp: I enjoy going to billiards tournaments and driving our Corvette around.

pullingworld.com: What do you like about Tractor Pulling?
Chuck Knapp: The competitors first. Second is the challenge to go the furthest in the tough Unlimited Modified class.

pullingworld.com: What was your first Tractor Pulling event?
Chuck Knapp: A local 4x4 Pickup Pull in a small town in Iowa. 

pullingworld.com: What is your favourite Event / Pulling track?
Chuck Knapp: I enjoy all the events that we compete in. If I had to pick one it would have to be Bowling Green, Ohio.

pullingworld.com: When and where do you have driven a Pulling Tractor for the first time?
Chuck Knapp: First Pulling vehicle with the NTPA was in 2003 at Ottertail, Minnesota.

pullingworld.com: What was your biggest success?
Chuck Knapp: I have had a number of highlights, a few would be:
a.    Winning the Two Wheel Drive Grand National Points race in 2008
b.    Winning the Two Wheel Drive Grand National Enderle Hook
c.    Winning the Unlimited Modified Points Race in 2015, 2016, and 2017
d.    Winning the Unlimited Modified Enderle Hook two times
e.    Being the Bowling Green Ring winner in 2017

pullingworld.com: Which Pulling classes do you like too?
Chuck Knapp: Mini Modifieds.

pullingworld.com: What was your biggest disappointment?
Chuck Knapp: My mother passed away shortly before we started Pulling in the Unlimited Modified class. She was a big fan. I wish she could have been here to witness our success. 

pullingworld.com: Which things must be changed in the future of the Tractor Pulling sport?
Chuck Knapp: For the sport of Truck and Tractor Pulling to survive, we need to get it into the mainstream better. More interaction with the fans would be great as well.

pullingworld.com: What are your plans for the future in Tractor Pulling?
Chuck Knapp: Our plan as a Team is to win four more National Championships in a row to get around Bill Voreis. I mean that in a very respectful way. Bill was a great competitor and is a good friend. To pass his six national titles in a row would be a great achievement.

pullingworld.com: What was for you the most important moment in the sport?
Chuck Knapp: To get a handshake from the Pulling greats after a win. I also enjoy the children that come around to get autographs and pictures.

pullingworld.com: What was your favourite Pulling Tractor project in the workshop during a winter?
Chuck Knapp: When we bought Ken Veney’s Modified, The Funny Farmall, we took it apart and changed things. That was a fun project to complete working alongside my son.

pullingworld.com: Something you want to say?  
Chuck Knapp: The sport of Truck and Tractor Pulling has given my family many great experiences and memories that I would not trade for anything. My father, wife, son, daughter-in-law, and now grandson all travel to most of the events together. That is what makes the sport great!! 

pullingworld.com: Thank you for your time and good luck for the future !