Revisiting Rock Valley: Pulling Memories from 2024
Revisiting Rock Valley: Pulling Memories from 2024
Connectivity is a great thing. We live in a world of instant data and information. If you are a junkie for notifications on whatever your passion is, if you are someone who devours the latest, greatest, and most up-to-datest in your specific field, you are alive in the right time. We are constantly plugged in. We are continually in the loop. We have up to the minute results, rumors, news, trends, and more. This holds true for everything from politics, to global economics, to truck and tractor pulling. It’s great. The tradeoff to an immediate media footprint, however, seems to be that of an incredibly short shelf life. Something that shakes a specific niche to its core is likely to be pushed aside, paused, or even downright forgotten about when the next major talking point comes out, oftentimes less than a week later.
That’s why it’s important to look back. It’s imperative to remember. To revisit some of the more spectacular, heart-warming, impressive, and newsworthy aspects of a period. Being in the know is wonderful, but in a world where the only thing that endures seems to be expectorating memes, let’s make sure we revisit what needs to be revisited, and not let heroes or values be shelved.
In my days of pure fandom, where working in tractor pulling broadcasting and media was still just a hazy dream, I used to treat large scale tractor pulls the same way a passionate collector would treat prized possessions. Pulls were my favorite things. Not pullers. Not vehicles. The pulls themselves. And each new pull I attended was a prize won, a jewel added to the collection. I was a trophy hunter too. It was the Boone & Crocketts; the Moby Dicks of events that I chased. Without the metaphors: It was my goal to attend every major pulling event in the country. The bigger the better.
Tomah was the first on the shelf, quickly followed by Bowling Green the same year. After a year hiatus for local pulling (where we still added Jerseyville, IL- a very fine single track show in its own right), the National Farm Machinery Show was added. Little did we know that would be among the only shows we were able to see at all in 2020. Back at it the following year to grab Chapel Hill, Tennessee. Move ahead a season and we’ve put Goshen; Fort Recovery; and Brandenburg in the bag. All three attended in an epic three day sweep I will enjoy fondly forever. We rounded that year off with a nice season cap in Wisner, Nebraska as well.
By the time the 2024 season had rolled around I found myself in a joint employment position with Beer Money Pulling Team and Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association. I would spend the summer on the broadcasting side with the Outlaws. This was a dream come true, with the added advantage of a side quest. You see, the next major pull I wanted to add to my collection was Rock Valley, Iowa. Thunder in the Valley. The hometown and cornerstone pull of Outlaw events. Good Lord willing, we were in for a great experience.
The Good Lord was willing, but that didn’t stop the creek from rising. Rose they did. When it comes to writing and announcing, I try to avoid played out superlatives and excessive adjectives. However, I am totally within accurate description when I use the word devastating. The floods that hit the town and surrounding communities of Rock Valley were truly devastating. Generational disasters. Three weeks before pull time, and we were certain this pull would in the most literal sense be a wash.
This is where we must remember the importance and impact of events in life and media. Let us not forget the miracle of mankind’s will-power and community that came together this past summer. Schools were wrecked. Homes ravaged. Businesses busted. So many things more important that hobbies such as tractor pulling were pushed to the back of the agenda. Lives to be remembered and food to be put back on tables. Roofs to be found and dry beds to be slept in were priorities.
In Missouri we have a saying that the quickest way to turn a bill into a law is to simply tell a Missourian they can’t do something. We sure as sugar will, just to show you the Show-Me state can. In Iowa, they must have the same sort of arrangement and relationship with Mother Nature. A catastrophe that would have taken areas of the country with a lesser constitution months or even years to clear up and recover from began to assume its familiar feel and look within weeks. Looking back now, how could we be surprised? These were faith based people long accustomed to planting before dawn and harvesting under a midnight moon. Salt of the Earth Americans answering the call for neighbor and family.
In short. This town worked HARD. The rumors and whispers started to gain traction. Actually it almost came to fruition as quickly as the town itself overcame its challenges. Can we have the tractor pull? Could we? Should we? Will we? When? How? We are. Thunder in the Valley 2024, like the town and members in it would not be stifled. A free-will donation, full three session show was restored. Volunteers of not only the local community, but the pulling community itself (an extensive one you should know) turned days of work into hours of work.
I was elated. Rock Valley was back. In the shadows of my mind, I must admit, however, I drove to the pull with an asterisk marked upon it. Could I truly count this as an accurate portrayal of what this pull was capable of? My key concern was the track. Let’s be honest. It was under multiple feet of water mere weeks ago. How could we see a show the caliber of what it has always been? Not only were the facilities essentially fine, the track was… well the track was perfect. Thanks to foresight, cover crop, and perhaps the best track builders in the country, the show went on and immediately became one of the top pulls I had ever attended in my life.
Drivers from other associations came to participate and were heard noting it was the best day-time track they had ever pulled on. I won’t tell you the names, but they sit very closely to Banters in the record books.
Thunder in the Valley 2024 didn’t just happen. It thrived. Its proceeds were donated to the community and flood victims. The fans showed up and used it as a respite. For one weekend life was back to normal. And from this pulling fans perspective, it truly was a top-tier event. Everything it was billed to be and more.
Never tell a small town something can’t be accomplished. Competitors and people will always “pull” through.
Green Flags and Tight Chains
Pulling is fun.
Mike Eitel
Engagement Specialist
Beer Money Pulling Team
michael.eitel.bevier@gmail.com
660.342.0206
