Rookies and Rulebooks. Hooking Until it Lights.
Rookies and Rulebooks. Hooking Until it Lights.
Let’s set up this week’s article with a trivia question of the tractor pulling variety: What is the maximum number of times a pulling vehicle can attempt to pull the sled under green flags in a single class? Let us make the assumption there is a floating finish being implemented, and no vehicles will be returning for a pull off, as is standard practice in the modern age of pulling. Logic assumes each puller takes their turn at the sled, in the order they were randomly chosen, and the quick and easy answer is one. One attempt. One try. Best of luck. However, those of us familiar with the sport know there are a couple of caveats in the rulebook that allow for more than that.
On this Thursday night, prior, I found myself in the announcer’s booth at Weeping Water, Nebraska where my knowledge of the depths of our pulling rules were put to the test in live time. Our interesting scenario unfolded with the Super Farm class. Before we continue, any good story should be layered with more than one interesting angle, so let’s introduce another variable that may give this tale the extra bit of spice fans love to hear about. The fist puller of the class was Cody Jedlicka; sixteen years of age, and just barely surpassing the legal requirement to hook to a sled. Cody was making his pulling debut in the tractor dubbed Feedlot Special. As fate would have it, on a night where nerves could only be at their highest, Cody drew first hook of the class. No time to watch other pullers. No time to assess how the track was behaving. No timesfor the nerves to settle or build. Was this a blessing or a curse?
As the crowd cheered, and the boost built, Cody was ready to embark on his maiden run. However, his left leg and the clutch weren’t quite on the same page. The tractor snuffed after bumping the sled, and the coal black smoke puffed to white with a minimal distance. Attempt number one. The sled did not go past the 100 foot mark. Pullers are always allowed two attempts to accomplish this so Cody was able to exercise his 100 foot option and rehook. They pulled him back to 0’ and we commenced to try it again.
On this attempt Cody was met with every advisor available. Drivers and crew members swarmed his tractor, flooding his mind with tips. The chain was tight. The green flag dropped. Cody brought the rpm’s up and slid the clutch gently only to bump the sled and snuff the tractor a second time. Attempt number two. If Cody had drawn a position any spot other than first, this would have concluded his evening. Thanks for trying. Good luck next time. But the pulling gods were in favor of him gaining the all-valuable seat time.
Since Cody was the fist hook of the class, he is what is called the test-puller. After their first attempt(s), test pullers are allowed to “keep” or “drop” their run. They have not had the advantage of viewing other pullers or the track. Naturally Cody elected to drop this hook to pull again. Drivers are given the choice to re-hook immediately or drop to the sixth position of the class. Cody was feeling fiery, and decided, let’s do the thing immediately. Back to the sled he goes for attempt number three. On this one Cody seemed to decide he was being slightly too gentle with his clutch and throttle work, and would try the dump and slam option. Putting his fear behind him, he hammered the throttle, brought the tractor up to boost aggressively, and let go with the clutch quickly. He was going to make this thing go! Clunk! Maybe just a tad too aggressive. However, we are not done yet. As the tractor still did not break 100 feet, on our now true official hook, he was still left with the option to try again. His team took a mechanical option which allowed them to drop six positions since the tractor did not traverse the necessary mark. He would come back later in the class.
Six tractors later. Attempt number four. The crowd knew what was at stake. They cheered harder than I have heard a crowd express themselves all summer. This time Cody tried an entirely different approach. It seemed he had cleared his mind, and it was just him and the tractor. This time he seemed to feel it in his gut, and trust his intuition. The tractor came to life perfectly. He drove the Feedlot Special to a distance of over 341 feet and grabbed himself a top ten finish as the crowd came to their feet in a sense of shared pride.
I had to be on my toes as I announced this one, making sure I adequately explained why each and every attempt at the sled this young man took, was not an act of generosity, but a true allowable scenario in the thresholds of pulling. Let us return to our question. What is the maximum number of hooks? Four, right? As I have just described in this situation. But for those of you who have been thinking carefully, I believe there are actually more hooks left to be tried. Let us assume that on his fourth attempt Cody pulled the sled to over 400 feet, with multiple vehicles left to pull behind him, and no track left for them to pass him. Two words. Sled reset. If they would have reweighted the weight transfer machine, each of his hooks would have been wiped clean. This would have allowed him one more 100 foot option, and a second official attempt. Six is the total number of hooks that a vehicle can attempt to pull the sled in one class, if the scenarios are right. It only took Cody four, but he was able to lay down a pass and create a memory in notable fashion; one that will stick with him until the day he retires.
Pullin’ is fun.
Mike Eitel
Engagement Specialist
Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling
660.342.0206
michael.eitel.bevier@gmail.com
