12:22:26pm, Tuesday, December 10, 2024
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My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Moderator Registered: 03/25/2008 Posts: 1,553 |
Tractor and truck pulling is one of the motorsports that really has no finals, no grand finally. Some times pulling looks like a tractor show, not a competition of vehicles where a winner can be easily seen. Face it,
Link to My Opinion article The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle! |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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I think the biggest detriment in this situation is that the aura of a full pull has been lost. 300, 310, 320 feet. Before you know it, guys are going 340 feet and beyond. What ever happened to winning a pull at 295'? What is so wrong with that? I think it would be a little more exciting if making a full pull happened a little less.
Stick with the 300-foot rule. No more, no less. Only use the floating finish in the pulloff, but even then make it a requirement to heavy the sled the second time around. If everyone followed the same 300-foot rule, there wouldn't be confusion. If you get 300-feet, you're in the pulloff, if you don't, too bad. In the larger classes, instead of adopting these complicated rules to avoid having 20 in the pulloff, just set the sled heavier. Depending on the test puller, try to get everyone stopped around 280-295. That way, you'll need a super run to get it out the end, not something popping and sputtering its way to 301 like we have now. The only thing worse than the NTPA's 300/310/320 rule is the PPL "pick a distance" in which they don't set a FP mark until three or four tractors into the class. As stated in the opinion piece, safety is the number one concern. Not every facility has the luxury of space that permits a 350' floating finish line and still have the required run off distance. Another aspect of the longer distances is the wear and tear on equipment. Most breakage occurs either on the line or at the finish line when drivetrains are under the most stress. So when running these longer pull distances, that time frame under maximum load is magnified, shortening the life of every moving part on the vehicle. Therefore, in theory, there could be less breakage/freshening up of parts over the course of a pulling vehicle's life. The 300-foot FP rule makes too much sense to not use it. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Anonymous User
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hey you guys are right every one always remembers a pull off; the winner is the top guy today! th. e pulling fan loves pull offs 1. you get to see tractor more than once . 2 it does take some thought in a pull off did sled operator just speed up; or if he weighted up where did he put the weight in front of the box or in back it makes a differnce. 3. pullers will put tractor in highest gear and bend the throttle to win a pull off and that with a good announcer to blow it up to the fans they don;t forget who won ;thanks just me thoughts . jd 4320 |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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With costs as high as they are today, maybe the pulloff is becoming a thing of the past. But think about what the pulloff was first intended to be: a tiebreaker. The original idea in pulling was to keep them from getting that far in the first place, not let them get out for the sake of the fan. As has been the case with many of the philosophical differences in pulling, you need to factor in changes in social behavior. When pulling was in its infancy, a large portion of the population lived and worked on or near a farm and thus, had an understanding of tractors and related machinery. So even casual fans could appreciate what kind of power it took to move a sled a certain distance in a particular weight class.
Today, very few live on farms and have a working knowledge of machinery by comparison. So, in a sense, pulling has been dumbed down to appeal for the masses. Sure, it's faster today which attracts a bigger fan base. But in reality, the way sleds are set up, tractors are just towing the sled up the track for the first 100 feet. Back in the day, they had to work at it to get it moving and in the golden age of pulling, tractors would carry the front end for the first 150 feet, settle down for a bit and then pick up again at the finish. It was, and truely appeared to be, a struggle between the irresistable force and the immovable object. So it was a real accomplishment to make a full pull. Around here, there are only full pulls if the tractor is red flagged while still moving past 300 feet. It sounds awkward, but what I mean is that space is at a premium for most tracks around here and you can't have 400 feet of floating finish lines because you'll end up in a hollow somewhere with the sled still attached. Every venue will do what's in their best interest, but it would be nice to have some uniformity in full pull/pull off situations. I don't need a pull off to enjoy a show. I'd rather them weight up the sled if the first one to hook goes 298' than see them leave it be and let half the class run out the gate. Make it feel like an accomplishment again to get to 300 feet. You don't see football fields getting bigger to increase excitement or basketball courts getting longer or raising the hoop. Baseball, well bad example there. But you get the idea. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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I say floating finishes at indoor pulls... |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 04/06/2008 Posts: 974 |
whether you like pulloffs or not i think they are a thing of the past. The reason i say that is so many times guys will just bump the sled to save there equipment or two or three compititors will just say they are broke. Dont get me wrong its there equipment and there money so i dont have a problem with them doing that. obviously at the super national level say BG you never here of a couple uys in the pulloff just say they are broke cuz who doesnt want to win that. In my area i have gotten used to the floating finish and kind of like it. Just my opinion. fire away |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 04/04/2008 Posts: 647 |
I tend to get caught up in the pulloff frenzy when ever I get there but then after we are done I reflect on how much money it cost me over the course of the year and I'm not so thrilled. We don't like bumping the sled especially when there are a lot of fans in the stands. In Ionia this year I was the only one coming back in the pull off and I made a full pass anyway as the stands were full and it rather embarrasses me to bump in front of that many people. Then on the way home I ask myself "why did I do that!!!
As for your idea that they should have a pulloff at every event,I feel like this penalizes me for doing well. As an example: if I decide to run all of RN 2 that is about 22 hooks then if you factor in a few pulloffs you are right at the point that you need to change the rods. Changing the rods in three engine will cost me about $3300,now if you make it so that I have to run in a pulloff most nights you make me have to do that in the middle of the season. So winning the points gets me about half of that $3300 back,if I were to win those points. Therefore I have been punished for doing well. Granted on the GN level you should get pulloff moneys that would help offset those cost,but then again another reason that it won't happen :-) . I am liking floating finishes more and more. I would rather run 340' one time and be done. Most times that we go that far we are going fast and really have no more run time as a slow run to 300'. I also feel that a lot of today's fans like a fast 340' run as much as they do a pull off. S'no Farmer |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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My Opinion
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I agree with S'no Farmer...I live in an area where pull offs were done away with years ago and it was the best thing that ever happened....They just got to be way too time consuming and far too expensive....Its so simple just to pull once and have a winner whether it be 290 ft or 330 ft....It had gotten to where no one would come back for a pull off so something had to be done.. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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sno farmer and my opinion
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Did ya ever think the world did not revolve around you 2? It may be good for you, but did it really do the sport any good? You 2 may think it has, but really it did NOT! |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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My Opinion
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The world doesnt revolve around you either..The fans and pullers in my area are all very happy using a floating finish.. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 04/04/2008 Posts: 647 |
I never even hinted that the world revolves around me. This is called a feedback forum so that is what I did,gave my feedback. My wife doesn't even have the same opinion about this as I do. She says that most of the time everyone should be stopped before 300' and the pulloff should be the exception not the rule. Someone made a point that I have made for many years: if we are wanted at all of the events (in July &August that can be most every night) by the promoters then don't make us run twice, let us save our equipment for the next promoter.
S'no Farmer P.S. I at least put my handle on here so you know who is typing mister "snow farmer and my opinion". Kind of a long name isn't it? |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Anonymous User
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Todd, it was a little chilly in Indiana this morning. Got me thinkin' about skiing. You need to be thinking about making snow, instead of playing in the internet!!! lol |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 04/04/2008 Posts: 647 |
Been staying close to the house the last few days as we've been pretty sick. Trying to rest up for the busy week starting tomorrow. Get a little bored then my fingers get me into trouble :-) . Should just shut up and leave things go on without my input.
As for snow,I just hope we get some this year :-) . S'no Farmer |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 04/04/2008 Posts: 1,579 |
hey snow farmer,got a question and am just curious about this.i really dont have a opinion one way or the other on the pulloff issue.could you give a somewhat itemized expense for a run down the track with your tractor and your 2wheeler,and do pullers account for extra wear and tear that a pulloff adds to the drivetrain.i go thru this issue with my son,he wants to pull as much as possible,but everytime he gets in a pulloff i just grin and bear it....thanks patches, maybe av can add some from the diesel point of view.i know from a business view ya just gotta love to do this,because it doesnt make much sense... Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/2012 05:39AM by patches. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 04/04/2008 Posts: 647 |
I don't think I'm smart enough to give a good answer to this question. There are lots of ways to figure this,if you want to include the cost of your puller,hauler and all of the consumable parts I'm not sure I even want to know that number. I think I would quit pulling if I knew that number. I do know that every year when we do our taxes I am stunned at how much we spend.
I did a quick calculation with fuel (hauler & puller) for a recent event. I added in the replacement cost of stuff like rods and bearings but no labor. This was in the $400 range for one pass down the track. The second pass you are looking at the replacement of consumable parts,fuel and oil prolly around $50. This is just for when things go the way they are supposed to,when things start coming apart that's a whole different thing :-) . S'no Farmer P.S. You know the saying"It is better to keep ones mouth shut and be considered ignorant than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt" that could be applied here I do believe! |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Question??
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Are you talking your 3 engine Mod..Surely that 2nd pass costs way more than $50...Besides the extra fuel you are having to change oil,plugs ,blower belts,bearings,etc way sooner than if you just made one pass per event..Your tires are wearing out twice as fast..
I dont think that the average fan has a clue what each pass costs...If they did they wouldnt want a pull off..Its getting harder and harder to find a puller that wants a pul off..Just look at the comments on here..I asked about pull offs in the pits at an NTPA pull this summer..Several are saying that the extra runs are killing them with all the broken and worn parts and time spent wrenching..They wonder how much longer they can keep doing it.. Some friends that pull a state level tractor said that beyond their initial investment each run costs close to $500 and thats if they break nothing major in a season..If they lose a block,crank,turbo,pump it can go lots higher..I asked some friends that have a PS and they budget $1000 per pass..They prefer not to run twice.. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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john B.
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I don't see where posting your opinion should be considered getting you in trouble. There are many readers who don't post or don't post under their names because they don't want to be put down by another poster. Thanks for speaking your thoughts. I think it's a little selfish of a fan who wants pulloffs at their pull not caring about the next fan who doesn't get to see all their favorites because the puller is home pulling matinence due to the extra runs. If your going to hook 50 times, make those hooks at different places. Bottom line though is, it's your vehicle and money, you the pullers should be the ones who decide this issue. I'm going to go watch either way. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 04/04/2008 Posts: 1,579 |
ive just been curious as to the upkeep and track cost of a puller,id think a 3 engine mod like snow farmers would be like 2-3 hundred a hook or am i way off on that.i really dont know other than what chatter ya just hear... |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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I thought hard about this this past season, and I precommited with PPL but ran the NTPA events I could make, cause we like both organizations. PPL almost always runs floating finish, yet keeps leading distance up on the board at the finish end of the track so fans can keep up with the action, give the fans a little credit, at least your true pulling fans, not just there to guzzle down beer and scream at girls, the true fans are well in the know of whats happening. I sat in a few different areas at BG and actually noticed many fans making notes on what had happened, and saw the same at many PPL events this summer too. So back to our(Pullers) side of it, till enough sponsorship get involved that the winnings offset the major portion of damage we do to the vehicles, a Pull Off everytime is not good for the sport. Occasionally yes. The avg pull maybe has up to 20 participants in any given class, with BG and a few others being the exception, fans can keep up with who is leading as long as that number is displayed at the finish end of the track till its improved on. Ok for you opinionated keyboard pullers who have never Pre Committed to a season, crunch on this, 4 engine Mod,
change oil x's4 every 2 runs 200+ esp if you add Lucas at $30 Gal so say $250(many teams change every run!) spark plugs (go long) say 5 runs ----------------------------- (130 each change / 5= $26 per run) fuel----each run-------------------------------------------------------------------approx $100 each run here is the kicker--------Tires sometimes huge damage each run------------- $500 per run( based on 25 runs season) wait a minute this starting to get pretty heavy aint it! Not to mention $500 in fuel to get there, plus much much more, and then theres this, when we are not working on our pulling vehicles we actually do things that earn money and adds greatly to the US economy, when we are working on our pulling vehicles we take away from that time to earn, so the cost to the Pullers is actually huge, and always having to run twice for no real reason does not make sense! BB |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Hy Strung
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I agree, if the fans are well aware of the leading distance (ie, it is posted) then they can keep up with a floating finish just fine. As a puller, I prefer the floating finish with one hook per class for the reasons Stormy mentions. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 04/04/2008 Posts: 1,579 |
id like to thank todd and bob for crunching the numbers.it seems like on tv drag races at some point its mentioned about the cost per round,i was always curious about a top level puller,again thanks |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Posts: 744 |
I am for floating finish as well. In outlaw country I and a lot of people have become accustomed to it. Fans like it and still puts on a good show.
I grew up through the 80s and 90s of pulling and like pulloffs as the next but also buy the parts too so can see both sides. Heck back then there used to be pulloffs to decide pulloffs. Today I just don't think it pencils out. Now for the big pulls I can see keeping them. But this region and state stuff, it's hard to keep everyone alive for the whole points race. So I dont see how it helps the sport to book the class and then in late july and august half the field is sitting at home. Fans and promoters don't benefit from that either. COO for OTTPA www.outlawpulling.com www.truck-specialties.com Schaeffer Oil Representative [www.schaefferoil.com] |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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and we all know what happens in a pulloff
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The wrong vehicle wins. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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I've been involved with tractor pulling since the 70's.I love the sport,hands down over NASCAR,NHRA,IRL,Formula 1 and any other motorsport.I feel everyone has very good reasons,pro and con,for a pulloff.Sno-farmer,I have watched your tractor run many times in the Buckeye.Awesome tractor.I can understand your reasoning on the floating finish.Yes I can remember watching a second pulloff in a class to find a winner also.The speed and noise does make a heck of a show.Now here is my thought on this.Tighten up the sleds so to stop everyone at 285-290.Now if you have 2 competitors or more go past 300 have a pulloff,with a twist.Take the top 3,like NTPA,and have them repull.If a puller cannot come back,for ANY reason, for the pulloff,take the next that went over 300.The puller that did not come back goes to 4th place.If all 3 do not want to come back,and say you have 5 or 6 past 300,drop them in placing and bring up the others.Just my thought of a way to keep a pulloff and give the pullers the option to come back for it or not. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 01/19/2010 Posts: 260 |
Im just a fan, I would rather see a floating finish. Its just as exciting. id rather see guys show up to the hooks instead of being broke down. i think the sleds should be set so you keep most int that 300-320 range. i think thats the best for a good show and a good pulling season.
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Registered: 03/26/2008 Posts: 515 |
But, Dick, you do have three (or more for a poor sled setting). It is simple--go past 320 you are in. Go past 300 and you better be the farthest three past 300 (if you don't automatically qualify) or you get bumped. I watched the past two weekends where people who spend millions or at least thousands try to make a show and didn't succeed because they didn't make the "bump" (top 16). We kinda have the same in pulling--didn't go 320, then in the top three past 300. Now, sled settings are an issue in this whole scenario. Promoter wants the show to be "full" (most fairs about three hours to getpeople back on the midway) and exciting so spectators come back next year. But that is another issue. JW |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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DRAG RACING
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LET'S FACE IT. TRACTOR PULLING IS NOW TRACTOR DRAG RACING. THE BEST WAY TO CURTAIL WHAT'S GOING ON IS TO TIGHTEN UP THE SLED, AS SUGGESTED IN A COUPLE OTHER POSTS, AND THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY. BACK IN THE DAY; SLEDS WERE DESIGNED TO PUT A SUBSTANTIAL PULL ON THE TRACTOR RIGHT FROM THE GET GO. NOW; SLEDS ARE DESIGNED TO ALLOW TRACTORS TO BUILD UP SUBSTANTIAL GROUND SPEED BEFORE PUTTING THE SLAM TO IT. HENCE; THE AWESOME TIRE SPEEDS WE ARE SEEING TODAY. IF THE SLEDS WERE SET UP TO "YESTERYEARS STANDARD"; A LOT OF THE 340+ FEET RUNS WOULD DISAPPEAR. PULLERS WOULD GET RID OF THEIR TRIPLED CUT TIRES WITH 1/8" CLEATS AND GO BACK TO SINGLE CUTS WITH 3/4" CLEATS. THERE ARE PRO'S AND CONS BOTH WAYS. FLOATING FINISHES DO SAVE EQUIPMENT IN THE RESPECT THAT THEY ELIMINATE PULLOFFS. TWO, LONG FAST, BACK TO BACK PULLS, REQUIRED BY A PULLOFF, IS USUALLY VERY HARD ON EQUIPMENT. SHORT HARD 250' PULLS ARE ALSO HARD ON EQUIPMENT. IT'S A CATCH 22 SITUATION. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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amen brother
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Tighten it up and make 'em pull it from start to finish! People that like to watch high speeds over long distances can go to the Bonneville Salt Flats for their fix. Bring TRACTOR PULLING back! |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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570
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320 would be long enough for any kind of finnish floet up to 320 not to exceed weve had pulls in ky 380 plumb stupid and a junk sled sometimes a 100 foot between 1st and 3rd drive 3 hours and get a load of that |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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nhra
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Your drag racing post is correct. We dont pull anymore, we race! How can you build a sled,to make a tractor pull in pro stock ,with steady pull, down the track? Might as well hook on to the golden gate bridge to shut them down? |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Drag Racing
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Yes,its drag racing but I dont think that very many will want to go back to the 1970-80's.....The sleds were hard to start and the starting line often get torn up..No one ran over 10-15 mph and todays crowd wont like that....The long bar tires dug huge holes and lots of dirt was piled in front of the sleds...With long bars you will have lots more drive train failure..15 second runs to get 275 ft is rough on every thing...
The reason for racing sleds is that it got to where they just couldnt carry enough weight to stop the high horse heavier tractors...They had to do something different..Todays pullers are all set up for racing sleds and I dont think that anyone wants to go back to the old days.. As you stared its a catch 22 situation..With the old style sleds the lower horse tractors had a chance where they dont now... |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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It would be interesting to see how these tractors would pull against an older sled, one that doesn't kill once the pan drops since they are all set up for the drop pan. If they would bring back an old style sled, I don't think you would see the tall cleated tires return, considering the power today's pullers are producing. There were still older-style sleds in use in the 90s, when the alcohol movement began and they used short cleats just like today. Yes, the speeds would be slower, but wouldn't it be a better show to carry the front end from practically the start to finish like they did back in the day?
With the older type of sled, I think the Super Farm class would be much better. I thought this was a good show in the video. Several tractors carried the front end from start to finish, diesel and alky. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Drag Racing!
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I think it would be fun to watch an old style sled try and stop todays tractors..I think they would have trouble with the following..
Unlimited Mods UL/SS Pro Stocks Semis I dont think that an old style sled could ever stop a semi without carrying an unreal amount of weight.. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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I think
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"Today's" tractors classes that you posted might have a problem getting the old style sleds STARTED! |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Drag Racing!
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Very true because it will take a tremendous amount of weight on an old style sled to stop these tractors if they would ever get going..Starting it could be a problem.. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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amen brother
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That is exactly my point. I'd be willing to bet yesterdays tractors would be surprisingly competitive with today's tractors if they were both pulling an old school sled that forced them to drag it for the whole distance, and for a whole lot less money too.
Duh. It takes a tremendous amount of weight to stop anything with that much mass if you give it 250' to get a 40 mph head of steam going. The old style sleds simply didn't allow the ground speed to develop. Tractor pulling vs tractor racing. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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pullinfan4255
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The video that oliver1655 added in his post has hager's sled that actually had a drop pan on it. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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That's what I heard, but it doesn't hammer them nearly as hard as today's drop pan sleds. But, as the video shows, they don't get going as fast either since they actually pull it the full distance and don't tow it the first 150 feet. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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pullinfan4255
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Actually if you watch, the sled is extremely light in the front end so it picks the pan up and the tires break loose instantly. That probably has a lot to do with the ground speed not being there. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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no
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we jus tbeat that to death the other day. the front of the pan picks up on every new sled out there. it needs to pick up. its easier to take off with it barely off the ground instea dof digging in the ground or dragging the ground. every sled does that still today. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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exactly
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That sled is adrop pan, but doesn't have a push down. That's why they go slower. with no push down, he had to hav ea lot more weight in the box to stop the sled. sled was heavier, so much harder to pull and slower. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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drop pan, push down are totally different.
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That is a drop pan, but that sled did not have a PUSH DOWN. Drop pan sleds first appeared in the early 80s. The push down is what created drag racing and speed pulls. much less weight in the box and let the PUSH DOWN hammer them at the end. not the pan drop. two totally different things that I can't figure out why people mix up. on any sled built in the last 15+ years the pan will drop around half track, and then the push down kick in when the box tops out. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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But did Hager's sled have the grousers on the bottom of the pan too? It's been established that with the power of today's tractors, drop pans are a necessity and I guess push downs as well when highway hauling is considered. But, does anyone think that it would be feasible to have a sled without grousers on the pan (at leats not permanent ones, maybe ones that can be lifted up, but could be put down as a last resort when stopping semis or unlimiteds) and a more gradual of a push down? Have some trips set up all along the rails and have an adjustable rate for the push down. I think it would save wear and tear on the track if there was a way to stop tractors without the grousers. Granted, this method would lower the speeds, but it would resemble tractor pulling and not tractor racing. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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well
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my guess would be Hager had grousers, but nowhere near like he does today. i used to have an old puller magazine from the mid 80s where they had an article about one of the Thumb sleds and it had grousers under it, but very small. not 3" tall stuff like some use today. grousers are probably needed for most things, but definitely more so for the bigger faster stuff like mods, semis, sso where you see they already have the sleds very heavy. more weight could offset having grousers in some of the other classes with ground speed being what is sacrificed. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Drag Racing!
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Duh,there wouldnt be pan drop sleds today with bars underneath if the old sleds could have stopped the heavier high horse pullers...It got to where they couldnt....I've seen them have to borrow weights before as they couldnt bring enough and be the legal weight limit on the hiway with the sled and road tractor..
So what would you have done to keep tractor pulling from becoming drag racing?? |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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amen brother
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I think you've got it backwards. Modern sleds created modern tractors, not the other way around. If the modern sleds are so great, why do weight classes keep getting lighter and full pull distances farther out? |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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If Some want to go back to the old days, heavier weight, slower speed, then lets do it right, step on sleds. Have to be safe though, need grab handles, lol. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Drag Racing!
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I think you have it backwards..The old sleds got to where they couldnt easily stop the modern day tractors so the modern day sleds had to be built.. Why do weight classes keep getting lighter..Mainly it was an attempt to try and limit things some and to make less weight to be hauled around....In the early 1990's the Unlimited Mods were running 6-7 engines and lowering the weight got most of them down to 4-5 engines to try and keep the cost down some..The PS tractors used to pull twice,first at 10,000 and then 12,000..We used to have a 5-7-9-12 SS class...We used to have a 5-7-9 Mod and 12 Unlimited class..There got to be too many classes and the heavier ones were done away with.. Why do pulling distances keep getting farther..Simply because the promoters,pullers,and most fans want the long distance high speed runs..There isnt a good modern day sled out there that couldnt stop every class at 200-250 ft if they wanted to or were told to...Drop the pan at 50 ft and run the box up quick and see what happens..Leave the pan down at the start and they couldnt even take off.. You didnt answer my question..What would you have done differently to keep pulling from turning in to drag racing..You seem to want to go back to the 1970's-1980's and that isnt going to happen.. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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chad d
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That's funny, If a modern sled cannot stop them before 250. What are they using in Louisville? |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Anonymous User
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I think he actually meant that modern sleds could (and do) stop if they are actually set up correctly. Not to get all english teacher here, but he used a double negative in the sentence that throws most people off...sorry, my wife is a teacher and it rubs off at times. LOL
I for one think the current 320 rule isn't that complicated if the anouncers actually give out the correct information. My opinion is that if pull off rule needs changed it should be the top 3 (or 5 depending on class size) pass 300 come back. The others place depending on thier original pull length. There shouldn't be a mandatory pull off...this is just wasted time and money or the fans and pullers. Set the sleds tight and stop the guys. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2012 04:05AM by pullingtrucker. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Keep it simple make a full pull 310 and set the max for a pull off at 3 or 5 depending on class size (under 20 3 over 20 5) and keep the bumping becuase I think that makes it fun but it's simple everybody can understand Pull off is at 310 top 3 go. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Drag Racing!
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Yes,I was in a hurry when I typed that...It was a little hard to understand..Todays sleds can stop you wherever they want too...The Kansas City indoor pull had a 190' track two years ago and they stopped everyone short of that.. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Service Temporarily Unavailable.
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I agree pullingtrucker, but if the sled is set too tight, then the "wrong" vehicle might win. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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DRAG RACING
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b]Service Temporarily Unavailable[/b]: YOU, my man, HIT THE NAIL right squarely on the head..................................LOL LOL LOL LOL...........GOD FORBID; if the WRONG vehicle would win...................BL BL BL BL BL BL BL(Belly Laugh) |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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Service Temporarily Unavailable
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the wrong vehicle that wins is usually a consistant long time supporter that wins a point championship but does not win every pull. that pisses off the right vehicle that wins twice in a season and comes 3 times and wine when the sled is set too tight that "one" time. |
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Re: My Opinion- The NTPA 320 pulloff rule- a debacle!
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DRAG RACING
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Service Temporarily Unavailable: Your wisdom is far beyond your years. Sounds like you've been there (been a long time supporter and won a few championships and all anyone can do is whine about it because it's the "wrong" tractor) and done that. I too have been there done that. It DOES NOT set well with the GOOD OL' BOY OLIGARCHY. Their MAIN mission in life becomes trying to figure out NEW LEGISLATION (rules) that are aimed at you in an attempt to make sure that it NEVER happens again (the WRONG TRACTOR winning the championship). |
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