Shortening WinterNationals Show Length (originally posted February 22, 2003)

Published January 26, 2009 01:00AM, by Dick MorganViewed: 1860 times

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(originally posted February 22, 2003)

February 22, 2003 The following list consists of a few suggestions for speeding up the ATPA WinterNationals.  These ideas are not exclusive to the WinterNationals, many of the suggestions are for truck and tractor pulling in general.  The “pull duration” / “pulling action” ratio need to be increased if truck and tractor pulling is ever to grow as a spectator sport.  One of the easiest ways to increase the ratio is to shorten the pull duration.  When a spectator leaves an event he should leave feeling like he saw an action packed event, and didn’t just sit in the stands for hours and watch a few tractors pull.

Some of these suggestions may seem insignificant and may only shorten up the show a dozen seconds here and a dozen seconds there, but if the organizations us a combination of these suggestions then seconds turn into minutes.  If as little as one minute can be eliminated between hooks at a 60 hook event it will shorten show time by an hour.

1. Start the show on time - If it says 7:00 on the schedule the National Anthem(s) should be playing at 7:00, and the first tractor should hook minutes later.  Don’t let the promoter hold up the show to increase the gate.  Reward the people that came on time, not the people who came late.
2. Staging the on-deck tractor - Stage the on-deck tractor next to the sled at the starting line near the entrance to the track not back in the pits.
3. Get the tractor out on the track - After the sled leaves that starting line have the on-deck tractor out on the track waiting for the sled to be pulled back.  Do not wait for the sled to be in place before bringing to tractor on to the track.  It is better to have a tractor hooked to the sled and preparing to pull than a tractor sitting on the sidelines or in the pits.
4. Scrap/Roll the start line first - The scraper/rollers should leave the startline as soon as the sled does.  The first half of the track should be completely rolled before the tractor is even unhooked.
5. Wider Scraper - Investigate using a scraper that is 10 to 12’ wide to prepare track.  Most current scrappers are only 6-8 ft wide.  Most of today’s scraper tractors could handle a wider scraper and would waste as much time making so many multiple passes.  The other advantage would be a flatter pulling surface.
6. Towback tractor on the sideline - Do not allow the towback tractors to move down the side of track until the pull has stopped.
7. Towback tractor on the finishline – If there is room on the finish line always keep at least one towback tractor at the finish line.  Never hold up the show waiting for a towback tractor to get down the track.
8. Walking on the sidelines - Do allow anyone to walk down the side of the track at any time.  Make all pullers/ crew/ media walk in the walkway in front of the stands.
9. Getting off the tractor - Do not allow anyone off their tractor while their tractor is on the track.  No pulling off the side shields if it breaks or getting off to look at your broken blower belt.  The only exception would be a fire or threat to the drivers personal safety.
10. Interviews - Never conduct a media interview on the track. All interviews should be done after the tractor has been removed from the track.
11. Right of way - The tractor pulling next always has precedence when entering the track, the tractor that has already pulled always waits for the right of way.  The tractor waiting to driving off the track can do it when they are hooking up the next tractor.
12. Drivers meeting - Instill in all the pullers at the drivers meeting of the need to speedup the show.  The fans paid to see a tractor pull, not to sit and watch track maintenance and a bunch of people standing around.
13. No tractors at finish line - Tractors should be kept at the end of the track after they have hooked, first place tractors are pulled back to the pits like everyone else.
14. Winning tractors - Do not bring back the winning tractor(s) for the awards ceremony, just the drivers.
15. Awards ceremony -Do the awards ceremony between hooks in the next class, or while the sled is being re-weighted.  Don’t hold up the show for the awards there is time enough between hooks.
16. Have a competent laser crew – make sure you laser crew knows how to zero the laser at the beginning of each run and knows what they are doing.  I’ve seen people measure with a tape measure faster than some laser crews.
17. Always remember it’s a show, put the fans first.

If anyone has any suggestions on shortening the duration of and event please let me know, and I’d be happy to add them to the list.

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