The recent Bank Holiday weekend saw Wyre play host to the Tractor Pulling Championships at Great Eccleston.
For anyone who doesn’t know, these are monster machines powered by jet engines – yes, the ones you will find in aircraft!
In a nutshell, they “pull” a weight at the back of the tractor called a sled as far as they can down a track and the one who “pulls” the furthest is the winner.
I attended on the Saturday evening for the floodlit pull and as the sun started to set, the crowds filed in to find their viewing point on the embankment. The skies remained kind which helped as I have been when it’s poured down in previous years and ended up being towed out of the field due to being stuck in the mud!
The evening didn’t disappoint with some excellent “pulls” exceeding the 100 metre mark.
There were a few wobbly “pulls” too with some tractors almost veering off the track!
Competitors from all over the UK took part along with teams from Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Probably the furthest to travel to get here was Phil Fairbanks from Massachusetts USA and his “Original Rat Poison.”
A great night was had by all with the following day providing just as much excitement. If you have never been I strongly recommend you visit at least once to witness the power of these truly awesome machines.
Click here to view a YouTube video of the Championships.
Rebecca Parkinson Marketing Officer at Wyre Council.
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