"Pinetops 300” Set to Kick Off 2008 NTPA National Event Schedule

WORTHINGTON, Ohio – The National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) travels to Pinetops, NC for the 32nd annual “Pinetops 300” on Friday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 17 at 6 p.m. This Regional National event is sponsored by the South Edgecombe Rural Fire Department. The event takes place at the Pinetops Ballpark and will provide an evening of outstanding pulling excitement and fun for the whole family. Pinetops continues to be the longest running NTPA event in the southeastern part of the country and is a treasured segment of the Region IV tour.

The NTPA consists of four major regions of the country for “Regional National” levels of competition. This Region IV event, and will have competitors from the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia as well as other parts of the nation fiercely battling for supremacy in their division. Competitors vie for valuable points toward an NTPA Regional National Title in their division all summer long.

For additional directions and hotel information, visit www.pinetops300.com. Admission each night is as follows: adults - $15, children ages 12 and under - $5, and children under five are free.

Classes on tap for Friday night include Region IV Heavy Super Stock Tractors, Four Wheel Drive Trucks, Modified Tractors, Two Wheel Drive Trucks, Super Farm Tractors, Mini Modified Tractors and State Light Four Wheel Drive Trucks.

Saturday night’s action will include Region IV Heavy Super Stock Tractors, Four Wheel Drive Trucks Modified Tractors and Two Wheel Drive Trucks, as well as State Mini Modified Tractors, Super Farm Tractors and Light Four Wheel Drive Trucks.

Heavy Super Stock Diesel Tractors are the pinnacle of the tractor classes. With up to four turbos, 640 cid and awesome wheel speeds, this class is always a fan favorite. Their roots are in farm equipment and they maintain a stock exterior appearance. Underneath the sheet metal is a different story. These beasts can crank out 2500-3000 horsepower when screaming down the track. Diesel or alcohol fuel power these machines. Returning Champion, Robbie Crutchfield, piloting the “Brutal Force” machine from Liberty, NC, looks to continue his winning ways, but new vehicles and drivers are looking to claim a title of their own.

The Four Wheel Drive Truck division showcases Chevy, Ford and Dodge trucks utilizing monster fuel injected engines. Close competition is noted in this division, as many times all competitors are within just a few feet of each other when the dust settles. The Region IV FWD division belonged to Georgia in 2007. Brian Britt, of Baxley, GA took home the championship behind the wheel of “Evil Weevil.”

Competitors in the Modified division utilize various power plant arrangements, such as multiple supercharged engines, twin V-12 Allison aircraft engines, and even jet turbines, developing approximately 5,000 horsepower at 100 mph wheel speeds. Look for Don Deane of Trafalgar, IN. to heat up the competition again this year. His “Plumber’s Nightmare” MOD not only earned two wins in Pinetops in 2007, it also took the Region IV Championship.

The Two Wheel Drive class uses truck bodies as well as T-bucket and funny car bodies possessing single, supercharged racing engines. These vehicles are known for their high wheel standing passes. Their big block V-8 power will pierce the air as they make their way down the clay track in search of a full pull. Gary Kempton out of Hartwell, GA, looks to defend his 2007 Regional National title.

Super Farm Tractors are similar to Pro Stock Tractors, but with a few variations. Engine size is limited to 640 cubic inches, competitors must use the OEM manifold and heads for that brand engine, and they can only use one, three-inch turbo. Diesel fuel is still the only permitted fuel and tire sizes are the same as on Pro Stock Tractors. The Super Farm class is extremely competitive and any competitor has a shot at winning. James Van Hoy and his John Deere “Shade Tree Smoker” tied with Adam and Alton Cox and their “Outlaw” for the Championship in 2007. Competition will be tough in Pinetops with a field of Super Farms chomping at the bit for a title of their own.

The Mini Modified Tractors are known as the “Wildest Ride on Four Wheels” and rightly so. With a horsepower ratio of nearly one horsepower per pound and a wheelbase of less than 100 inches, these machines are one tough ride to wrangle. Minis have the distinction of being the lightest class in all of the NTPA Championship Pulling divisions, weighing in at 2,050 lbs. The Minis will feature top notch Region IV and State competition. Timothy Cutshall hopes his “Tail Spin” will take him to another Region IV win in 2008.

The Light Four Wheel Drive Truck division is the cousin of the big FWD class. These brutes are limited to 500 cubic inches, but they pack a powerful punch. This division is the most closely competitive division on the UPOC tour, as on any given night any one of the regulars can win.