Out of the box idea for 2021: The Hawkeye Challenge August 21, 2020 06:48AM
Back during the '80s and '90s, when the Ohio State Fair was an NTPA or (NTPA Member State) OSTPA Grand Ohio pull, and Bowling Green was TNT then USHRA, there was a deal called the Buckeye Challenge where the combined highest winners from the two events got extra money.

As a quirk of Covid-19, the largest events from each of the 3 sanctioning bodies were in Iowa (Rock Valley for Outlaws, Rockwell for NTPA, and Farley for PPL). With that as a springboard, would it be feasible for either the organizations (or the promoters among themselves), along with sponsors who would choose to be a part, to create a 3 event pulling series called the Hawkeye Challenge, modeled after the Buckeye Challenge?

The details could be tweaked, but the gist is this: Just like the old Buckeye Challenge, the sanctioning bodies would run each pull under their own rules. The 3 pulls would not be on overlapping dates. Because of variations in rules, some classes like modified tractors would not be part of this. Even if some classes are run by all 3 orgs, it may be better if each class only has 2 Hawkeye Challenge events, though the classes involved could be spread out whereby some classes would run for Hawkeye Challenge points at Farley/Rock Valley, some at Farley/Rockwell, and some at Rock Valley/Rockwell. That means that for a class like TWD that is ran at all 3 events, only 2 of them would be scheduled as part of the Hawkeye Challenge, and the other pull would just have as a regular GN/Champions Tour/Outlaws hook.

It would be cool if a class like Light Supers for example ran at all 3 pulls, but the reason I believe it may be for feasible for a class to run at only 2 is for a National Circuit, asking someone like Jason Hootman to make 3 trips from New York to Iowa in a month's time is asking a bit much.

The goal would be to find like classes that could be part of this. The tractor/truck would have to meet the rules of any of the organizations it pulled at. In trying to think of the top classes for the 3 organizations and any rule variations, I came up with this:

Diesel SS- Outlaws and NTPA;
U/SS, Open SS: NTPA/PPL;
Pro Stock: Outlaws/NTPA/PPL (understanding Outlaws have a different turbo rule; Outlaw Pro Stocks may not be the ideal class for this)
Super Farm: Outlaws/NTPA/PPL (any tractor that would run in multiple events would need to meet rules for the sanctioning body)
TWD: Outlaws/NTPA/PPL (Does PPL still impose 200# penalty on non-full bodied trucks?_
FWD: Outlaws/NTPA/PPL (Do both Outlaws and PPL allow 750ci? I know NTPA limit is 650 ci)
Mini: Outlaws/NTPA/PPL (Do Outlaws minis follow same rules as other two)?
Semi: NTPA/PPL
Light Supers (Outlaws/NTPA/PPL). Not sure of Outlaws weight but not a big deal. The ones for either organization can run the other.
SSD FWD (NTPA/PPL)
Limited Pro (Outlaws/NTPA/PPL). Not sure if Outlaws Limited Pros have any different rules than the other 3.

Again, this is just the beginning of an idea, the details could be filled in later. However, with all 3 events being successes this year, perhaps something like this could become an annual deal as long as the promoters could work with each other. I'm not sure how involved the sanctioning bodies were with the Buckeye Challenge and they may not need to be formally involved in this deal, though it would be great if they would.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2020 06:53AM by The Original Michael.
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Re: Out of the box idea for 2021: The Hawkeye Challenge August 21, 2020 07:13AM
I like the idea, but that's a tough one to pull off. The Super Farm class could cause issues as the PPL pullers are allowed to run intercoolers and not able to in NTPA/Outlaws. PPL and Outlaw doesn't have a cubic inch limit on the FWD's I don't think, but they are limited to 650 cubic inches in NTPA.Outlaw minis are pretty much dead. The reason why Dick Storeholder has Slagh's old chassis which was in Texas and why Timmerman's bought back the mini from Ulmers.


Brent Yaron
Hooked Up Pulling Productions
hookeduppullingproductions@gmail.com
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Re: Out of the box idea for 2021: The Hawkeye Challenge August 21, 2020 07:56AM
Why cant the sport come together and bite the bullet to just get along on common ground and unify rules .it would be a win for everyone
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Re: Out of the box idea for 2021: The Hawkeye Challenge August 23, 2020 08:15AM
Because, patches, each organization uses 'it' to their own promotional (competitive) advantage.

Good luck, Michael, to get all 3 organizations to come to support your "Challenge". And even more so in finding event promoters.
But, we already have a bit of your suggestion, as you know, with what Klint tries to accomplish with Gordyville and then the NFMS. And yet you know very well all the 'chatboard' bickering that occurs anually with the NFMS happenings.

Your 3 organizations "Challenge" idea sounds pretty lofty. But most likely, not very practical.
Now if you took the same concept and implemented it within a certain sanctioning body, that would be more practical. But would still require a lot of effort to bring it all together.
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