“Quill”, The Buloke Times

Quambatook held the Australian Tractor Pull Championships on Easter Saturday at its purpose built track in front of thousands of appreciative spectators.

This fully-fuelled event draws spectators and competitors from all over Australia and offers a jam-packed program to keep any and all entertained.

The day began with the vintage and classic tractor pull, testing out the strength and endurance of the old faithful machines which might have seen an honest day’s work prior to hitting the track. One can certainly imagine how an idea grew into fruition – perhaps two farmers in a paddock somewhere comparing their machinery… “My tractor could pull out that stump faster than yours could!”

Back in time

And visitors to the Tractor Pull could certainly take a step back in time to see where the humble tractor began with a tour of the museum and static tractor display. In addition to the museum, was an array of beautiful trucks set up in static display by the entrance to the pits. A considerable number of trucks were on show, compared to last year, and after the sun went down, driving lights switched on for an impressive line-up of heavy vehicles.

Airshow

After an afternoon of fun in the sun, the tractor pulling teams took a break while Paul Bennet Airshows amazed the crowd, flying a Wolf Pitts pro and pushing the boundaries of what is possible to do in the air.

The aerial acrobatics had all in the crowd on the edge of their seat, watching on, with breath held as the pilot seemed to fling his plane about the sky, performing tricks, then letting the plane free fall, seemingly out of control before pulling it back into line just in time.

Food, market stalls and entertainment

The audience needed a break after that, so spectators dispersed to check out what was on offer away from the track. Food and market stalls lined the complex, so once bellies were full and thirsts sated, friends and families could relax to listen to the Voice’s Elias Lanyon, from Boort, play easy listening music, or they could hit the pits for a close up look at the impressive pulling machines.

“Confession”

Prior to the break, driver Garry Johnson wowed the crowd with an incredible distance of 117.49 metres in his mini-modified machine, “Hectic”. Finding Garry parked in the pits during the tea break and congratulating him on his amazing result produced the response, “I have a confession to make…”

“I am overweight,” Garry said sheepishly. I looked him up and down and said, “You look all right to me.”

Garry was amused, but it wasn’t what he meant… While other machines have removable weights hung from the body, Hectic’s weight was 40kg over, just on its own. Weights are monitored strictly at the tractor pulling championships and since nothing could be sacrificed from the body or engine, Garry was penalized in distance. This didn’t stop the crowd from appreciating his efforts with his tough little tractor, and following the tea break, he got the whole grandstand on its feet with an unbelievable 128.42 metre run. Well done Garry, and thanks for the show.

Pit crew

Also in the pits was the Quamby Autos team with three tractors entered on the day – The Assassin (mini), The Chief (open) and Bad Attitude (open). Bad Attitude’s 530 ci Chev engine attracted quite a bit of interest while the team had the shell of the vehicle lifted for better access to the engine bay, hoping to fix the clutch prior to the next run. They were not sure if the tractor would make it back out on the track again, and later when they tried again, we saw why. Having trouble getting off the starting line, Bad Attitude had visible sparks coming from under the engine and, with a pop and a groan, black smoke followed indicating the machine’s last try for the day and perhaps an expensive repair job for its dedicated team.

Other regularly seen tractors graced the track such as Wotever, Quamby Quaker and Little Devil, though the very loud and proud Coyote was missed. The old restored Bedford aptly named Resurrection was back again this year along with some new machines to keep things interesting.

Congratulations

There is nothing quite like the open modified tractors under lights at the Quambatook Tractor Pulling Complex and it is a show that never disappoints. Well done to all the sponsors, organisers, drivers, pulling teams and everyone else involved in making this annual event a huge success.

See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 25 April 2025.
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