No Light Supers at Louisville for 06 - (Originally posted September 15, 2005)
Published August 29, 2009 03:17AM, by Jake Morgan
No Light Supers at Louisville for 06 - What does this mean for the future of the class?
(September 15, 2005) - I have to admit I was more than a little shocked when I read that the National Farm Machinery Show Committee had decided to leave the Light Super Stock tractors off the Saturday afternoon show. In fact I think I’m still in shock, and to be quite honest I’m disappointed, frustrated, angry, and in disbelief towards their decision. The LSS class is by far the most colorful class in the tractor division of the show, with the potential for a little of every brand. It’s a very odd decision to say the least.
So why did the NFMS drop the class? - To be completely honest I don’t really know why the class was dropped. It’s been two days and I still can’t get my head around the reason for the decision. There are rumors and accusations floating around but the simple fact is that I won’t get a chance to see Diesel vs. Alcohol and Red vs. Green vs. Blue vs. Orange, vs. White vs. etc…
This class was one of the most anticipated classes for the 2005 show. There was more talk and interest on the Internet prior to the pull about the match-ups in this class than all the other classes combined. In the pits and in the pull arena there was more talk about the LSS than any other class. There were people talking about Esdon vs. Squealer vs. everyone else almost every day in Broadbent arena. There were pullers in all classes looking forward to the LSS class. Was it going to be diesel or alcohol and was somebody going to knock The Squealer off the top spot?
Unfortunately the sled setting was sub-par and they didn’t allow the power-packed little dynamos to put on the best show. The sled was initially set heavy, then after a reset the sled was lightened but still very slow and heavy leaving the tractors about 20 feet short of a good show. The show was still decent but was by no means as exciting as it could have been.
The assembly of tractors at the 2005 show was second to none, the potential was there for one of the best LSS classes of all time but a few variables kept the show from begin riveting. Was the class to blame? Were the tractors to blame? I think that almost all the people can agree that the sled setting was the issue, not the tractors and not the class. So did they drop the class because they had one sub-par show with the best tractors in the nation?
There are other rumors that the show was dropped because the class was being dominated by one tractor, The Squealer, the only OHC motor in the class. I don’t really buy into this theory, the pull committee has the option to move the Squealer into the Open SS or leave him off the list altogether, there are plenty of other options to keep the class fair and not allow one grandfathered tractor to effect it. People have proposed that nobody wanted to watch the class because they already knew that The Squealer was the winner; I propose that the class would have been as exciting as ever seeing which tractor was going to knock the Squealer off the top spot. As the LSS class grows the caliber of tractor has also been growing, last year the Squealer worked hard for the win, and with a weight or two moved forward on The Bomb, I think there was a very good chance for a blue tractor on the top of the podium. The little New Holland made an excellent pass for its maiden run down the track, and this year's Grand National Champion has a few more hooks and has a little better idea how the tractor reacts. Let’s not forget about the Blue Blazes tractor, always right in the mix and with a new chassis they would have also made The Squealer work hard this winter. One of the most potent wildcards in the class is the extremely powerful Case of the Haug’s. The Little Temptation is a shining example of the evolution of the LSS class. The tractor is immaculate, Elmer is an excellent driver, and they know how to make serious HP. They have been mixing it up with the Open SS for years so HP is nothing new to them. Let’s not forget the brand new Jus Blowin Smoke IH (My father was looking forward to seeing Terry Blackbourn behind the wheel once again, nobody build or drives an alcohol SS better than Terry in his opinion) as well as Deere Fever II, Smuggler, Insanity, RLF, Just One More, Simply Nastyer, Blue Can Fever, Red Ink the list just goes on and on. To be quite honest I’m excited to just dream of the hypothetical match-ups between all these tractors as well as the dozens of other legitimate contenders. It’s a shame the fans are going to miss out on this great class.
Other rumors abound trying to blame one or two committee member for this decision. It’s always easy to place blame on a scapegoat, or it’s easy to place blame on a member or two of the committee but most committee’s work by a majority vote. Obviously the majority ruled against this class for one reason or another. There’s no need to blame individuals, and it’s not productive to lay blame at anyone’s feet. Playing the good old American blame game still doesn’t change the fact that the LSS is not going to be pulling. Instead of blaming members of the committee lets figure out ways to convince the committee that the class is growing and is a must include class for the future. If you own a tractor and you’re wondering how to convince the committee to include the class keep reading. If you’re a fan make sure you voice your concerns to the committee. This year's decision has already been made, however if the committees receives enough calls maybe next year's show will include one or hopefully two sessions of LSS tractor again.
So what does this mean for the future of the LSS? - To be quite honest I don’t think this decision by the pull committee means anything. I think it’s just a bump in the road for the fastest growing class in pulling. Sure there are people who argue that SF is the fastest growing but I’d be willing to bet that the LSS is growing at least the same rate as SF, and in reality actually faster, take a look at any LSS circuit this summer and start counting the new tractors in the class. This class in on the move up and it’s moving quickly.
I’ve talked with numerous pullers from all classes this summer and I asked a number of them what they would do if they were starting from scratch or if they built another vehicle, what would it be, the response was actually very surprising to me, most people immediately blurted out “I’d build a LSS” I even heard that response from pullers who live in Hoosier State territory where the LSS class is less than progressive (read: stone ages). The response came from a full range of pullers, some guys were truck pullers that though the LSS would be a fun drivers class with tons of great variety. Many responses came from PS pullers that think the LSS is going to grow and they are looking at doing something different for a change. (The PS pullers actually were really surprising, most wanted out of a class that was (in their words) in jeopardy and into a class that was growing and expanding.) There are some Heavy DSS and Open SS pullers keeping a very close eye on the class with the intent of possible making some changes to fit the rules. There are some very big name DSS pullers that see the LSS as the class of the future. Even some mod pullers that are used to ridiculous amount of Hp have mentioned that the light class looked like a great class of the future and that they would be interested in trying something a little different. I’ve talked with hot farm pullers, brush pullers, and dreamers and most have hopes of moving into the LSS. High HP + Low weight = Excitement. No wonder there’s so much interest.
Louisville’s decision though oddly perplexing and frustrating is by no means a barometer of this class. In reality I’d expect this class to continue on its growth and I expect all the LSS circuits around the country to get stronger and stronger over the next few years. I expect the LSS to be back in Louisville in the near future if not next year, and if the class continues to grow like it is Louisville won’t have an option to leave them home because they have the potential to become one of the bread and butter feature classes of the show, and potentially the best SS class in the Nation.
What can LSS pullers do? - This one has some pretty simple answers but some of the answers are ones that some LSS pullers don’t want to hear. I’m not trying to be harsh or mean, I’m going to be honest and maybe even a little brutal but sometimes the truth hurts:
1. First and foremost - Support your class week in and week out. If you own a LSS and there is a national pull in your area go out of your way to make the event. The pull committee needs to see that there is national support for this class. I understand that everyone can’t make every event but I’ve been to pulls and sat with LSS pullers who left their LSS tractor home for one reason or another, support as many pulls as you have time and money to attend. It may seem simple but support for the LSS class is the key.
The way the schedule for this class was structured this summer there was a good turnout at most events despite the fact that on some evenings there were 4 conflicting LSS hooks the same night. Despite the conflicts Mid-South has had a great turnout, Wisconsin and the NTPA regional circuits had excellent numbers and the GN circuit had a very strong showing for its first year back, Hoosier State and OTTPA had good showings at their events despite their antiquated rules. All in all this class is alive and well it just needs a few less scheduling conflicts to really shine.
The second part of support your class is something that nobody wants to say and I’m sure that I will get a ton of flak for it but here goes – Support YOUR class, NOT the Open SS class or the DSS class. The Open SS and DSS pullers need to take care of their class and you need to take care of yours. If a promoter has a turnout of 12 Open SS tractors they are happy, they don’t care if half of them are LSS, they just know the numbers were good. If only 3-4 Open supers show up the promoter may just start shopping for a different class. That’s where the LSS class comes in, they can put on the same quality show, they have more color and two different fuel types, they are a promoters dream. Give the promoter no other option than to have the LSS class, by supporting a different class you are just getting taken advantage of and you are telling the promoter that you will show no matter what class he chooses. This is a double-edged sword for both the fans and the pullers but I think that supporting your class first and foremost is an important part of the equation.
2. The next piece to the puzzle – clean up you act! There are some very nice looking LSS tractors out there, Red Thunder, Blue Blazes, Little Temptation, The Bomb all quickly come to mind, and there are plenty of others that look as nice. There are some great paint schemes and some highly polished tractors, I commend those pullers that take the time and realize that this sport is as much show, as it is go. The problem with the class is as old as the class: it drops off pretty quick and it falls pretty deep in the aesthetics department, it’s been a problem in this weight conscience class since the beginning. The sad fact is that this class has still got some old relics and old junk in it. It has some tractors that haven’t seen paint in years. There are tractors that I’m scared to get too close to because I’m not sure if my tetanus shot is up to date. I’m not going to name any names but I think we all know and can agree that those tractors are out there, and they are on almost every circuit. Maybe it’s time that someone mentions to them to take some time and money for paint and polish. It’s not a huge investment to clean up what you already have; it can be done cheap and sometimes only takes a little elbow grease. Look around for a paint shop that would be willing to help you out with some paint or body work in exchange for their logo on the tractor. Patch the old holes in the hood from 2 turbo setups ago, make it look like a tractor and make it shine. Some pullers need to remember that pulling is in the entertainment business and one of the most important parts of entertainment is appearance and aesthetics. Take some time and clean up your LSS tractors. Spend a little bit of money and buy some polish and a buffing wheel, start shinning. If you are reading this article then you can do an easy Internet search on how to buff aluminum or stainless so you really don’t have any excuses for a lack luster tractor. It's not about the money to make them shine, it's about the pride you have in your tractor. Fans should worry about getting fingerprints on your tractor, not getting lockjaw when they get near it!
3. The last piece of the puzzle is consistency, take a look at your engine program – there are some fairly regular complaints regarding performance of some of the tractors in the LSS class, I’ve been to a ton of LSS hooks over the years and seen some amazing passes but I’ve seen far, far, far too many LSS tractors that never leave the line. Some struggle to leave the line year after year. I’m not sure why this is such an issue in the LSS class over the other classes but it definitely is an issue. Maybe it’s because there are numerous new and entry level pullers that choose the light class as an affordable starting ground, maybe it’s where the HSS pullers that couldn’t keep up with the good HSS went, I really don’t know all the reasons, all I know is that it hurts the class, the class needs tractors that run, not a class where 50% of the tractor can’t move the sled or even get out of their own way. The best solution is often the easiest; help your fellow pullers out. I know it sounds simple but if everyone helps each other out it helps the class as a whole, Instead of being jealous, prideful, worrying about getting beat, etc... offer suggestions or solutions. If you happen to be one of the pullers that struggles to leave the line every week, swallow some pride and ask somebody that kicks you butt every week, they probably know what’s going on with your tractor (they may not tell you everything but it doesn’t hurt to ask). We need to put the sport before our pride and personal feelings. The LSS is an interesting class with some pullers who have a lack of pride in appearance but are too prideful o ask why their tractor doesn’t run, does anyone else see the irony.
There are some tractors that make it down the track but don’t make any ore power than they did in the late 80’s (or even early 80’s). Maybe it’s time to rethink your program. I’ve watched a 339 CID diesel with a 2.75” single turbo take quite a few wins against some 2 and 3 turbo SS tractors this summer. To be honest this should never, ever happen. Once in a while it may happen on a fluke track or for some reason or another, but when it continues to happen multiple times all summer long something isn’t right. If you’re pulling a 466 with multiple chargers and you're getting beat by single charger Pro Farm tractors, you need to rethink our program. There are people out there who know how to get more power out of your combination so ask around and make some changes. his isn’t to make fun of the beginning pullers who are off the pace, this s a wakeup call to those who don’t update, why are you getting beat, what can you change in your combination to be a little more competitive?
Take a look at all of these issues and if you pull in the LSS class ask yourself, “are you helping the class grow or are you holding the class back?” This class needs to function as a whole, one united front doing what’s good for the whole. It needs tractor number and 90% of those tractors need to run well.
Where does the LSS go from Here? - There’s nowhere to go but up for this reemerging class. This s just a stumbling block for the class; in time the 504-pushrod component SS class will be one of the largest tractor classes in the country. Patience is a virtue and I think if fans and pullers are patient this class may just be the last SS class left standing when all the dust settles in his motorsport. It’s the only SS class that’s growing, and it’s the fastest growing class in this motorsport. Even Hoosier State and the Outlaws will have to change with the times and get out of the stone ages and allow component tractors if they want to get on the bandwagon and join in with the growth of such a colorful and exciting class.
As with any adversity or unfavorable decision in life its’ a good time or some self-evaluation and reflection, now is the time for the LSS to valuate and reflect on how to make a better show and how to continue to row the class. The future of the LSS class looks brighter than ever, one bad decision isn't going to slow the growth in this class.
Jake Morgan
Owner, PULLOFF.COM
Independent Pulling News
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/2012 03:57AM by Jake Morgan.
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