Tractor Driving Contest

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 25

Tractor Driving Contest

So you think you can drive a tractor? Then when at this year’s show, come along to the main ring at noon on Friday and have a look at the tractor driving competition—a contest designed to test the skill of

the best tractor drivers in the district. This competition has been attracting more and more interest from both spectators and competitors in the last year or so and the association has the long term hope that it

may develop into a competition which can be carried out on a national basis. In England it is an event which has terriffic appeal and is staged at all the shows, culminating in a national championship.

For this year’s competition, the judges have devised a triangular course, which will test the competitor’s ability not only in driving, but in backing and turning and manoeuvring a tractor and trailer, but in the time he takes to carry out the various requirements. There will be two courses on the ring to allow the contestants to compete similtaneously. They will be required to back their tractors and trailers into an area marked by four stakes which represent a shed or garage, with a drum balancing on the trailer so delicately that bad driving, manipulating or gear changing, will make it fall off. The judges will take into account the skill and ability of. the competitor and the time will also be a factor. For the benefit of those who might think the tasks set by the judges are too arduous, it has been given on good authority that the judges could complete the course very satisfactorily within the specified time limits.