07:44:22pm, Saturday, March 14, 2026
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Are rules killing pulling?
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Moderator Registered: 03/25/2008 Posts: 1,922 |
Rules, every class certainly needs rules, weight, cubic inches, turbos, on and on. I watch as classes ask for more cubic inches, more weight, big turbos. When does it stop? The show is always the same, more HP does not translate to a more exciting show. The European mods are more interesting, more engine combination, more exciting. In the US we now have rules that kills any creativity. The visual is another important aspect for the fans enjoyment. I hate to say but the mods have just become another "cookie cutter" class. People talk about a broader social media presents. I've even read on the page about TV getting involved, why would they when every hooded class looks the same and mods all look the same to the average viewer. Dick Morgan www.PULLOFF.com Independent Pulling News |
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Nature of the beast
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Moderator Registered: 07/06/2008 Posts: 1,785 |
Look at F1, NASCAR, Indy Car, NHRA, pick your motorsport.
Your complaint with pulling is universal at the highest levels of any motorsport. Once money gets involved above a certain point, the rules inevitably become more standardized, favoring manufacturers with resources to make (and profit from) specialized parts. Many rules are justified in the name of safety, others due to cost. In the end, usually the racer/puller pays more and the parts builder pockets more revenue. Rinse and repeat. |
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Re: Nature of the beast
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Moderator Registered: 03/25/2008 Posts: 1,922 |
The any sheet metal, any engine ruined brand loyalty and all other motorsport offers speed, pulling doesn't have that aspect. And monster truck is in a world of it's own, speed, crazy jumps and trucks that are colorful and eye appealing. They stole the young fans. Dick Morgan www.PULLOFF.com Independent Pulling News |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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Registered: 04/04/2016 Posts: 141 |
Thousands of folks tune in to see Funny cars and dragsters that look and are basically identical...Nascar, for decades not much difference there. Monster Jam hugely popular, trucks are roughly the same in my opinion even though yes one looks like a Dog. Dick....its the Competition, the Fan favored Competitors, who you like who you root for.Your Brand. Its the Competition and performance!
BB |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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Registered: 04/04/2008 Posts: 1,766 |
I know I'd much rather watch 50 300 series powered 6000 lb lt ss than 10 400 series based lt ss |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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Registered: 04/03/2016 Posts: 832 |
See it's posts like this that makes me want to put my 301 back together. Now I know how well that idea will go over. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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OG
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By "killing pulling" I assume you mean why hasn't pulling been able to produce a professional level of competition? (forgive me if wrong). I am afraid that was possible 20-40 years ago when the consumer base for tractor pulling was much bigger. That time has since passed. TPTB decided back then, it wasn't in their interest to differentiate the county fair pull from the large GN or Stadium type event. The wanted a small cut from all pulling, not a big cut from a pro level. To all but the most hardcore, the shows were the same. To make matters worse, the competitors who could have made a premier level of pulling viable, would occasionally show up at lower tier events. Why go pay $25 and drive 250 miles to see Esdon/Dean/Ropp when they might show up at the county fair. Fast forward to now. I think it's just a hobby at all levels and will never be anything more. The wealthier of the hobbyists are about to split off and fund their own events. I think this is a good thing. Those of us that enjoy bigger shows, with the top competitors have a place to consume. The shows the national organizations are currently providing are of little interest to folks like me. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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Moderator Registered: 03/25/2008 Posts: 1,922 |
Thank you for your response, and for clarifying "killing " the sport. Dick Morgan www.PULLOFF.com Independent Pulling News |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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?
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"OG", what is "TPTB"? |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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OG
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The powers that be. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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Registered: 01/23/2011 Posts: 266 |
The biggest missing piece is personal connection, in those other sports you mention, the casual viewer does not care about what brand of machine the competitor is piloting, they care about the pilot. John Force, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Anton Brown etc. are the draw to the track. The days of arguing about your Ford, versus my Chevy versus the neighbors Mopar are long gone. So how do we make pulling better, we need good ambassadors for the sport, drivers who will take the time to talk to fans, do interviews, do podcasts etc. At our small venues the lady drivers always get the biggest ovations, which is good, the point is the people in the stands root for the ladies. We need drivers and owners who appeal to the paying public and can get the public interested in the pulls. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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observer
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RCP stated: "we need good ambassadors for the sport, drivers who will take the time to talk to fans, do interviews, do podcasts etc.".
Unfortunately, there are very few pullers that have those kinds of true public relations skills. Too many pullers get on a microphone and are first class stumblefuds and/or compounded with obscene language. Be better if they said nothing, thus do not even show up at a microphone. Rules and vehicle cross dressing are not the real killers of the pulling sport. Pullers ego and a big fat wallet affording the now very expensive cookie cutter sport is. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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Registered: 08/16/2021 Posts: 498 |
I totally disagree with you here. At the grand national/champions tour level most of the drivers are incredibly successful business owners or farmers. These guys interview very well and are highly intelligent people. If you've listened to any of the podcasts about pulling these days whether its Let's Grow Pulling, No Practice Podcast, or Motorsports Almanac you'd have seen plenty of interviews with drivers that are great at public relations and great at building a following for themselves. Do they cuss occasionally? Sure. But don't most of us? The personalities in this sport are very marketable. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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OG
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Herein lies the problem, marketable to whom? What is the actual fanbase of the sport? IDK but can't imagine there being more than 100k people nationally who follow the sport at a consistent level. How many people actually watch 2 of the following 4 of these events live (in person or streaming): Louisville, Tomah, Chapel Hill, and Bowling Green? I bet the number is quite low. You just can't generate enough revenue to supply anything to the pullers in a meaningful way. It's a very expensive hobby but nothing more. Make the rules to where, as many people as possible can partake in the hobby. Enjoy competing and hope enough of a crowd comes to pay the promoter for the cost of having an event. That's all that can be done at this point. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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totally agree
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I couldn't agree more with this statement:
"It's a very expensive hobby but nothing more". I have stated this in not so many words before. Nobody wants to hear it or believe it. Many seem to think we can cram this motorsport down peoples throats and make them like like it all while also believing it can rain money down on the competitors. It's just not viable. This is a niche hobby at best and those that are involved and follow it are doing about as good as can be expected for the foreseeable future. How you expect to force the masses to enjoy and follow it to create a business model is a herculean task that I don't believe is achievable. I will continue to watch and compete when possible. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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day later
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Economy and the "stare at yer phone" generation killing pulling faster than any rules! Already killed drag racing, roundy round is next. Hopefully pulling will wait it's turn. |
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Re: Are rules killing pulling?
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Moderator Registered: 03/25/2008 Posts: 1,922 |
I have really enjoyed the different views of the sport and what it's potential is. While I applaud the efforts to "grow" the sport, I believe that time would be better spent on improving the produce that we currently have. There is still so many areas that pulling can do better, and frankly it needs to do. Dick Morgan www.PULLOFF.com Independent Pulling News Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/2025 05:58AM by Dick Morgan. |
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