2013 NR/CTPA Spring National Pulling Coverage
The 2013 NR/CTPA Spring Nationals got underway on Saturday May 3 at the Ramada Inn in Montpieler, OH. Competitors were present from six states to take on the two dirt and one carpet pulling track over the next two days. When the dust settled, champions were crowned in the 24 pulling classes contested over the weekend. There were some new faces in the Winner?s circle along with continued dominance by some familiar players.
One of the new faces in the winner?s circle was Erin Eckenrode at the wheel of the NR/CTPA Digger. Finding her way over from the racing side, she was able to best two others in a 3-way pulloff. Second went to Joe Kilian with Brian Davin coming in 3rd. Do we see a pulling tractor in Erin?s future?
Next up was the Garden Tractor class full of 12 tough competitors. Illinois?s Brad Pitt made a full pull in the 2nd round. Everyone took a shot at him in round 3, but no one could get it out the end. Mark Damewood laid down a run of 27.94 in the 3rd round for 2nd place. Joe Killian moved into 3rd place with a run of 27.11.
One of the newest classes is the Diesel Truck class. Patrick Wing from Michigan beat Jake Haulman of Ohio for first place in the pulloff with a run of 25.11 compared with Jake?s run of 23.57. Chris Bercaw run of 27.62 in round 2 was good enough for 3rd place.
The Big Rig class saw a pulloff between 3 pullers vying for the 1st place trophy. When the dust settled, it was Patrick Wing picking up his 2nd win of the weekend with a run of 25.54 in the pulloff. Joe Killian had breakage and wound up in 2nd place. Derrick Pero out of New York finished in 3rd place.
The biggest class of the weekend was the Pro Stock Tractor Class. Jake Haulman?s Sledgehammer John Deere laid down full pulls in the 2nd and 3rd round. No one was able to match Jake?s distance. Trevor Perl got close with the Ford with a run of 29.55 in the 2nd round Randy Berry with the Massey made a run of 28.50 in the 3rd round for a 3rd place finish.
The 4WD Driveshaft saw tough 12 trucks take to the track. Chris Bercaw from Ohio won with a distance of 27.42 in the 2nd round. Ed Finchum came in 2nd with a run of 26.95. Chris Bercaw also placed 3rd with his 2nd truck at 26.30.
4WD Scratchbuilt class was up next. Mike Seevers went a distance of 27.50 for his first NR/CTPA win. 2nd place was Sue Ann Berry with a distance of 27.05 as the Berry Pulling Team out of Ohio has the truck running strong as of late. Dave Smith out of Kentucky rounded out the top 3 with a distance of 26.93.
Heavy Super Stock tractor saw a field of 10 tractors. Jake Haulman?s Sledgehammer recorded its 2nd win of the weekend with a pull of 25.94. The Sledgehammer tractor is one of the most prolific winners at the Ramada Inn. It proved to be tough on the pulling track after having to settle for runner up in the Drag Racing competition on Friday night. Sledgehammer was trying for a 3 peat in that event. 2nd place was the John Deere of the Perl Pulling Team out of Michigan driven by Bob at a distance of 25.54. Mark Damewood out of Ohio finished in 3rd with a distance of 24.56. The top six tractors were within 2 feet.
Five year old Pennsylvanian Kendall Mealy topped the 12 lb Modified 4WD Modified Class. She held the lead after the first two rounds, but it was the run of 25.26 in round 3 that took the lead back from Ohio?s Ed Finchum who laid down a run of 24.07 earlier in the round. Ed had to settle for 2nd place. 3rd place was Dave Smith with a distance of 23.74.
The last class run on Track B was the 2WD Pro Modified Electric. A 3 way pulloff was needed to settle the class. First place was taken by Mark Damewood with a run of 26.70. New York?s Joe Killian, and NR/CTPA President, made a run of 26.46, but had to settle for 2nd. 3rd place was Brad Pitt with a run of 24.60.
Track A was the primary track for the nitro vehicles. First class up was the exhibition class of STPA Mini Rods. Class rules define just the weight and dimensions with no limitations on the powerplant, so it will be an interesting class as it grows. Jake Haulman?s 4-Stroke nitro powered mini rod made full pulls in the first two rounds for the win. Nina Perl driving the twin engine electric powered entry came in 2nd with a pull of 24.76. Mark Damewood rounded out the top three with a 2-Stroke nitro entry.
The largest nitro class was the Light Super Stock. All vehicles are powered by Traxxas 3.3 engines, so anyone can win with vehicle setup and driving. Ed Finchum came home in first with the Oliver laying down a full pull in round one. Joe Berry came in 2nd with the Massey with a run of 28.58. Nina Perl moved into 3rd place with the Ford with a run of 26.89 in round 3.
2WD Pro Modified Nitro class saw Mark Damewood pick up win with a run of 26.18. Richard Triftshouser came in 2nd with a pull of 25.51. Jake Haulman run of 25.32 rounded out the top 3.
The 4WD Modified Nitro is another class powered by Traxxas 3.3 Nitro engines. Ed Finchum made of run of 29.86 in round 1 to take the win. Trevor Perl moved into 2nd with a pull of 29.48. Nina Perl, driving the 2nd Perl entry completed the top 3 with a run of 25.17.
Bar Tire Sportsman was also contested on Track A. Joe Killian made full pull with his entry. The Berry Pulling Team rounded out the top 3 with Randy taking 2nd and Sue Ann Berry taking 3rd place.
In the 2wd Unlimited, it was a battle between the twin engine entry of Jake Haulman and the chainsaw engine powered bus of Ed Finchum. In the end, it was Ed taking the win with a run of 28.88 to Jake?s run of 28.42.
Ed Finchum continued his domination by putting 3 feet on the class in the 15 lb 2WD Nitro with a run of 29.49 for the win. Richard Triftshouser was in 2nd with a pull of 26.35. Jake Haulman rounded out the top 3 with a run of 25.53.
2WD Open 1 class took a 3 way pulloff to settle the class. Joe Killian made a run of 22.07 to take the win. Brad Pitt got close with 21.81. Joe?s 2nd entry ran 21.27 for 2rd place in the pulloff. Less than a foot separated the final three in the pulloff.
The Insane class sees competition with varying powerplants. Entry?s had single nitros, twin nitros and high voltage electric motors as well. When the dust settled, it was Jake Haulman with the twin HPI nitro motored rig coming in 1st place with a pull of 24.89 in the pulloff. Joe Killian made a run of 22.01 in the pulloff with his electric motored rig. Ed Finchum came in 3rd just missing the pulloff with a run of 29.90 in the first round.
The final class on Track B was the gas powered rigs. Joe Killian won the class with a full pull. Elijah Etzkorn came in 2nd with Joe Killian?s second rig rounding out the top 3.
Competition on the carpet side was limited to four classes. Joe Killian took the trifecta with wins in the 2WD Truck, Bar Tire Sportsman and 2WD Open 1. Tim Dixon took home 2nd place in the 2WD Truck and the Bar Tire Sportsman. Kyle Haynes took 2nd in the 2WD Open 1. Kyle did take the win in 2WD Open II.
A total of 147 vehicles each made 3 attempts at the sled over the course of the two day event.
Next action for the NR/CTPA at the Ramada Inn will be the 25th Worlds that will be held on October 11th ? 13th. Make your plans to attend the 25th annual event.
Bob Perl
The 2013 NR/CTPA Spring Nationals got underway on Saturday May 3 at the Ramada Inn in Montpieler, OH. Competitors were present from six states to take on the two dirt and one carpet pulling track over the next two days. When the dust settled, champions were crowned in the 24 pulling classes contested over the weekend. There were some new faces in the Winner?s circle along with continued dominance by some familiar players.
One of the new faces in the winner?s circle was Erin Eckenrode at the wheel of the NR/CTPA Digger. Finding her way over from the racing side, she was able to best two others in a 3-way pulloff. Second went to Joe Kilian with Brian Davin coming in 3rd. Do we see a pulling tractor in Erin?s future?
Next up was the Garden Tractor class full of 12 tough competitors. Illinois?s Brad Pitt made a full pull in the 2nd round. Everyone took a shot at him in round 3, but no one could get it out the end. Mark Damewood laid down a run of 27.94 in the 3rd round for 2nd place. Joe Killian moved into 3rd place with a run of 27.11.
One of the newest classes is the Diesel Truck class. Patrick Wing from Michigan beat Jake Haulman of Ohio for first place in the pulloff with a run of 25.11 compared with Jake?s run of 23.57. Chris Bercaw run of 27.62 in round 2 was good enough for 3rd place.
The Big Rig class saw a pulloff between 3 pullers vying for the 1st place trophy. When the dust settled, it was Patrick Wing picking up his 2nd win of the weekend with a run of 25.54 in the pulloff. Joe Killian had breakage and wound up in 2nd place. Derrick Pero out of New York finished in 3rd place.
The biggest class of the weekend was the Pro Stock Tractor Class. Jake Haulman?s Sledgehammer John Deere laid down full pulls in the 2nd and 3rd round. No one was able to match Jake?s distance. Trevor Perl got close with the Ford with a run of 29.55 in the 2nd round Randy Berry with the Massey made a run of 28.50 in the 3rd round for a 3rd place finish.
The 4WD Driveshaft saw tough 12 trucks take to the track. Chris Bercaw from Ohio won with a distance of 27.42 in the 2nd round. Ed Finchum came in 2nd with a run of 26.95. Chris Bercaw also placed 3rd with his 2nd truck at 26.30.
4WD Scratchbuilt class was up next. Mike Seevers went a distance of 27.50 for his first NR/CTPA win. 2nd place was Sue Ann Berry with a distance of 27.05 as the Berry Pulling Team out of Ohio has the truck running strong as of late. Dave Smith out of Kentucky rounded out the top 3 with a distance of 26.93.
Heavy Super Stock tractor saw a field of 10 tractors. Jake Haulman?s Sledgehammer recorded its 2nd win of the weekend with a pull of 25.94. The Sledgehammer tractor is one of the most prolific winners at the Ramada Inn. It proved to be tough on the pulling track after having to settle for runner up in the Drag Racing competition on Friday night. Sledgehammer was trying for a 3 peat in that event. 2nd place was the John Deere of the Perl Pulling Team out of Michigan driven by Bob at a distance of 25.54. Mark Damewood out of Ohio finished in 3rd with a distance of 24.56. The top six tractors were within 2 feet.
Five year old Pennsylvanian Kendall Mealy topped the 12 lb Modified 4WD Modified Class. She held the lead after the first two rounds, but it was the run of 25.26 in round 3 that took the lead back from Ohio?s Ed Finchum who laid down a run of 24.07 earlier in the round. Ed had to settle for 2nd place. 3rd place was Dave Smith with a distance of 23.74.
The last class run on Track B was the 2WD Pro Modified Electric. A 3 way pulloff was needed to settle the class. First place was taken by Mark Damewood with a run of 26.70. New York?s Joe Killian, and NR/CTPA President, made a run of 26.46, but had to settle for 2nd. 3rd place was Brad Pitt with a run of 24.60.
Track A was the primary track for the nitro vehicles. First class up was the exhibition class of STPA Mini Rods. Class rules define just the weight and dimensions with no limitations on the powerplant, so it will be an interesting class as it grows. Jake Haulman?s 4-Stroke nitro powered mini rod made full pulls in the first two rounds for the win. Nina Perl driving the twin engine electric powered entry came in 2nd with a pull of 24.76. Mark Damewood rounded out the top three with a 2-Stroke nitro entry.
The largest nitro class was the Light Super Stock. All vehicles are powered by Traxxas 3.3 engines, so anyone can win with vehicle setup and driving. Ed Finchum came home in first with the Oliver laying down a full pull in round one. Joe Berry came in 2nd with the Massey with a run of 28.58. Nina Perl moved into 3rd place with the Ford with a run of 26.89 in round 3.
2WD Pro Modified Nitro class saw Mark Damewood pick up win with a run of 26.18. Richard Triftshouser came in 2nd with a pull of 25.51. Jake Haulman run of 25.32 rounded out the top 3.
The 4WD Modified Nitro is another class powered by Traxxas 3.3 Nitro engines. Ed Finchum made of run of 29.86 in round 1 to take the win. Trevor Perl moved into 2nd with a pull of 29.48. Nina Perl, driving the 2nd Perl entry completed the top 3 with a run of 25.17.
Bar Tire Sportsman was also contested on Track A. Joe Killian made full pull with his entry. The Berry Pulling Team rounded out the top 3 with Randy taking 2nd and Sue Ann Berry taking 3rd place.
In the 2wd Unlimited, it was a battle between the twin engine entry of Jake Haulman and the chainsaw engine powered bus of Ed Finchum. In the end, it was Ed taking the win with a run of 28.88 to Jake?s run of 28.42.
Ed Finchum continued his domination by putting 3 feet on the class in the 15 lb 2WD Nitro with a run of 29.49 for the win. Richard Triftshouser was in 2nd with a pull of 26.35. Jake Haulman rounded out the top 3 with a run of 25.53.
2WD Open 1 class took a 3 way pulloff to settle the class. Joe Killian made a run of 22.07 to take the win. Brad Pitt got close with 21.81. Joe?s 2nd entry ran 21.27 for 2rd place in the pulloff. Less than a foot separated the final three in the pulloff.
The Insane class sees competition with varying powerplants. Entry?s had single nitros, twin nitros and high voltage electric motors as well. When the dust settled, it was Jake Haulman with the twin HPI nitro motored rig coming in 1st place with a pull of 24.89 in the pulloff. Joe Killian made a run of 22.01 in the pulloff with his electric motored rig. Ed Finchum came in 3rd just missing the pulloff with a run of 29.90 in the first round.
The final class on Track B was the gas powered rigs. Joe Killian won the class with a full pull. Elijah Etzkorn came in 2nd with Joe Killian?s second rig rounding out the top 3.
Competition on the carpet side was limited to four classes. Joe Killian took the trifecta with wins in the 2WD Truck, Bar Tire Sportsman and 2WD Open 1. Tim Dixon took home 2nd place in the 2WD Truck and the Bar Tire Sportsman. Kyle Haynes took 2nd in the 2WD Open 1. Kyle did take the win in 2WD Open II.
A total of 147 vehicles each made 3 attempts at the sled over the course of the two day event.
Next action for the NR/CTPA at the Ramada Inn will be the 25th Worlds that will be held on October 11th ? 13th. Make your plans to attend the 25th annual event.
Bob Perl