By CINDY LADAGE

Illinois Correspondent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This month the Championship Tractor Pull will celebrate its 50th anniversary. It’s part of the largest farm show in the United States, the National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS).

According to statistics Cassi Haggard from the Kentucky Exposition Center provided, the pull will bring more than 75,000 fans to Freedom Hall to experience five performances in four days for this invitation-only competition. This is the nation’s oldest indoor tractor pull that brings pullers, families and supporters together in an agriculturally supportive environment.

The pull originated in 1969 from the tractor pulling organization WBHM, whose name comes from the original members’ initials. It started out with a bang with WAVE radio and television personality Jack Crowner serving as the voice of the pull for almost two decades, from 1969-86. Later, announcer Butch Krieger and puller Lloyd Douglas joined Crowner.

The pull started with 66 tractors competing in three classes, which then expanded in 1970 adding two more classes. That year, the event changed from one to two days and over a five-year period, prize money increased from $5,700 to $20,000, for the 1973 pull.

By 1978, the event sold out before the competition and prize money more than tripled to $64,150. In 1979, the sport took on new elements with the addition of modified 4-wheel-drive gas-powered trucks, and over time this included multi-engine modifications and Allison Aircraft Engines – and, eventually, 2WD trucks.

While drivers are known by fans, the name Dan Cristiani is also remembered because he and his team built, repaired and removed the dirt track in 1980. They are still maintaining it today.

As with many sports, pulling is safer today for both the drivers and fans. Driver attire now includes fireproof suits and racing helmets. Freedom Hall has also undergone renovation and moderations as well.

It’s the memories made here and the people who come back year after year that draw such a big fan base. Driver Zach Howell’s family has been part of the pulling history almost since the beginning. His father, Brad, pulled early in the event, with his last pull in 1992.

“We will be back this year for the first time since 1992,” Howell noted.

After his father sold the tractor to pursue other business options, he got back in the game when he built a new one in 2010. “This is the first time this class is offered,” Howell explained. “It is called the Light Pro Stock. The tractor is a New Holland T-8020.”

Although two of his three younger brothers are also involved, he will be driving at this year’s pull. Howell’s family and his in-laws have been part of the pulling hobby, and Brad has been acquainted with them since Howell was a child.

“My in-laws pulled down here from 1984 to 1985 and my mother-in-law pulled from 1985 to 2009. My wife’s grandfather also operated the sled from 1976 to 1992.”

Howell’s wife, Candice, has been in this sport as long as he has. “She goes with me every time we go. We were at our first tractor pull together when we were barely walking,” he recalled.

The same goes for their twin boys, Cole and Cayden, who have been traveling with their parents to shows since they were babies.

A couple of pullers from the Netherlands have also become part of the history, adding a European flair to this event. William de Vos, a two-time Dutch National Champion and two-time European Champion, said, “I started pulling about 24 years ago with a standard tractor (IHC956) from my former employee. At that moment the ‘virus’ started.”

He was part of the team that built a super farm tractor based on a 6-cylinder IHC1246. With friends, he also assisted in the development of an IH 1086 pulling tractor. “With both tractors we won a lot of trophies,” de Vos added.

Twelve years later, “as always, you want more, and I started on my own team, Extreme Temptation, with new team members, building a pro-stock. From that moment until now, we still compete in national and European competitions.”

While many pulling enthusiasts have the idea this sport is strictly an American pastime, de Vos said, “The sport is pretty popular here in Holland. We have 11 national outdoor competitions and six European competitions in different countries. We come over to Louisville every two or three years to watch the show and visit some people.

“We always had the dream to pull in the USA, because that’s the where it all started many years ago. Together with our friends of the Rocky pulling team and the support of the Gallitz pulling team, we made this happen.” The Rocky team is headed up by Barend Huijbregts. The name is taken from the blockbuster movie series starring Sylvester Stallone.

Huijbregts has been part of the Pro Stock sport since 2001 and part of the Grand National, which is the top Dutch level, since 2004 – as well as a seven-time Grand National Champion, three-time Eurocup Champion and the European Champion in 2012. With a 12-member team, the Rocky Pulling team competes in about 18 pulls per year.

For those who can’t attend, but wish to watch, the Championship Tractor Pull will be available on live-stream pay-per-view and on-demand for up to one year after purchase. The film includes views from multiple angles with replays and score overlays. DVDs will also be available.

For more details, log onto www.farmshowpull.com