NWOTPA Newsletter
May 2007 

Yes, tractor pull fans the time has finally come.  The 41^st annual National Tractor Pulling Championships (NTPC) are just around the corner and as tradition has it, this year will prove to be bigger and better than ever.  Every year we look forward to hosting the best truck and tractor pullers from across the country to bring you the biggest and most exciting tractor pulling event in the world and this year will be no exception.

Whether you have been attending the NTPC for years or this is your first time, the members of the Northwestern Ohio Tractor Pullers (blue shirts) thank you for spending the weekend with us.  We promise this will be a weekend you will be able to talk about for weeks and months to come.  So mark your calendars for August 17-19, 2007 for the best truck and tractor pulling in Bowling Green Ohio,  Pulltown, USA.

Sincerely,

Michael Ott

Michael Ott,  President
Northwestern Ohio Tractor Pullers Association, Inc.

Pulling Schedule

            Here is the breakdown for the 5 session, 11 class, 22 heat schedule for the 41^st annual championship.

 Session I, Friday, August 17, 2007 - 1:00 pm

          2 Wheel Drive Trucks

          Super Stock Open

          Super Farm Tractors

          4WD Trucks

     Session II, Friday, August 17, 2007 -  7:30 pm       

          Modifieds

          Super Modified 4WD Trucks

          Modified Minis

          Super Stock Diesel

          Super Semis

     Session III, Saturday, August 18, 2007 - Noon

          Modifieds

          4WD Trucks

          Super Farm Tractors

          Super Stock Diesel

     Session IV, Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 6:30 pm

          Pro Stock

          Super Stock Open

          2WD Trucks

          Unlimited Modifieds

     Session V, Sunday, August 19, 2007 - Noon

          Unlimited Modifieds

          Pro Stock

          Super Semis

          Modified Minis

          Super Mod 4WD Trucks

Tickets and Camping, Pricing and Information

  Advance ticket pricing will be $20 per session or $100 for a season pass.  Tickets purchased at the gate the weekend of the event will be $22/session or $110 for the weekend, respectively. Remember, session I (Friday 1 PM) tickets can only be purchased with session II (Friday 7:30 PM) tickets.  This is also true with session III (Saturday 12 noon) and session IV (Saturday 6:30 PM) tickets.  The prices are $40 and $44 respectively. ALSO REMEMBER, reserved seating applies to ALL bleachers on the north side and the covered grandstand and finish line towers on the south side. These seats are $4 per seat per session additional. 

            Advance camping prices will be $260 for the weekend, which includes two season passes, camping spot, one vehicle sticker and one camper sticker.  Gate purchases at the time will be $280 and will include the same. The season passes are general admission, it DOES NOT include reserved seating. Campsites are primitive.     

            Entry to the campground begins at 8 AM on Thursday August 16^th.  

            Priority orders end this year on May 25, 2007.    This is about a month earlier than in the past.  Advance general admission tickets may also be purchased at participating Pharm Stores after July 1, 2007.  You also have the availability to order reserved seating tickets online at www.pulltown.com.  If you need more information, want to purchase reserved seating or would like to purchase tickets by phone using your credit card, (we accept Mastercard, Visa and Discover) please call the office at 888-385-7855.  Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday thru Friday. Advance orders through the office will end August 3, 2007.

Spectator Regulations

            The cooler regulations that have been in effect the past five years will remain in effect for this year.  They are reprinted here for your convenience:

• The fan/spectator is limited to one (1) cooler NO larger than 12”x12”X12”
• No glass containers allowed on premises.
• Fans/Spectators are allowed to bring in one (1) clear plastic bag NO larger than 18”X18”X4”.  All bags, fanny packs, purses, etc. are subject to inspection.
• None of the above mentioned restricted items shall be left in or around the gate areas.
• These items subject to inspection 

To expedite entrance into the facility, guests are encouraged to arrive at the gates as early as possible.  Above items are subject to change without notice.

            In addition to the cooler regulation another important regulation will need to be repeated this year and the years to follow.  It involves Ohio House Bill 12 which is the conceal carry handgun law.  Without getting into all the legal mumbo jumbo, here is the information that pertains to our event:

Because the National Tractor Pulling Championships takes place in a political subdivision (i.e. county owned fairground), Ohio House Bill 12,  the conceal carry handgun law does not apply.  Therefore no firearms, fireworks , guns or any other weapons are allowed within the main grounds or the campgrounds even if you have a civilian permit!!!!!

2006 Champion Ring Winners

            Let’s give it up for last year’s winners, and keep an eye out to see if any can repeat.
 

Unlimited Modifieds:    Bill Vories   "American Thunder"

Limited Modifieds:  Wayne Purser   “Uncle Sam”

Mini Modifieds:  Adam Koester   “Double Play”

4 Wheel Drive:  Rob Foster   “Simply Red”

2 Wheel Drive: Rod Cochrane   “Twister”

Super Modified 4 Wheel Drive: Jeff Shafer   “Win, Lose or Draw”

Super Semis: Larry Carey   “Dodge Fever”

Super Farm: Arlyn Smits   “Wolverine Deere”

Diesel Super Stock:  Steve Burge   “Lock and Load”;

Open Super Stock:  Larry Roberts   “Big Toy”

Congratulations to Pro Stock winner Larry Shope as he was the only repeat winner from 2005.   

New for 2007

 All unauthorized motor vehicle traffic will cease between the hours of 1 AM to 6 AM each day.  Examples are golf carts, lawnmowers, ATV’s, 4-wheelers  etc.

The merchandise stand at gate “C” will no longer be there, however merchandise will still be available under the north and south grandstands.  Also, look for the DVD’s of the whole weekend available at these locations. 

 

Dancin’ in the Dirt

 For our second annual “Dancin’ in the Dirt we are excited to welcome the Danger Brothers with their high energy rock and roll.  They will bring their 300 song play list that spans the 50’s through the 90’s.  The concert is set for Thursday August 16, 2007 from 8PM to midnight on the tracks.  Tickets are $10 and will be available at the gate. For more information go to www.pulltown.com or www.dangerbrothers.com

The Green Monster

  To help celebrate the championships,  the NTPC is going to offer the second  in a series of collectible toy tractors at 1/16^th scale that have participated at Bowling Green in the past.  We are very proud to have as our second  collectible the “Green Monster” unlimited modified  owned and operated by Art Arfons of Akron, Ohio. Arfons was involved in bringing the first turbine modified to pulling, along with partner, Bob Frock, in 1973. In August of 1974, Arfons debuted his own “Green Monster” puller in Bowling Green, Ohio, taking first place in the 7,000 pound class. After seeing the multiple V-8 engined Modifieds flourish, Arfons simply went back to work, and debuted the first twin T-64 powered Modified in 1985 that was equally impressive in terms of “go” and “show”. Sitting in the middle of the twin engines and with ten foot flames licking the sky from each stack, truly made this creation worthy of the “Green Monster” stamp.   This will be a limited edition toy as will be all our collectibles and we will have them available at our event.  You can also order them now by visiting our website or calling the office at 1-888-385-7855.  The cost is $180 (5 or more purchased at the same time is $160) and includes shipping and handling.  

  Returning Favorites

It just wouldn’t be Bowling Green without the dual power pulling tracks ready for action or our general admission trackside seating if you wish.  Just bring your lawn chair, claim an available spot and enjoy the action. The toy show will be back so look for it to buy, sell or trade old and  new toys alike.

The trade show exhibits will still be under the south grandstands and merchandise will also be available there as well  and a  merchandise area under the  grandstands on the north side of the tracks. 

This will be the tenth year for the “Rusty Tailgate Party” and the old timers are anxious to come back and spin their yarns about tractor pulling in the earlier days.  Rumor has it that some of the current champions come to this to see if they can pick up any tips on how to run today. 

The state qualifier for the pedal pull is back again for the little ones , some of who may be our future competitors.  The 3-10 year olds will compete on Saturday and Sunday mornings  in their respective age brackets.  Check the program for times and location.

Sponsor News

Our event would not be able to take place without you, the fan or our sponsors.

We are pleased to welcome back the The Pharm (where advance tickets are available after July 1),    Hooters, Coca Cola,   John Deere, the University of Northwestern Ohio,   Swedish Match/Timberwolf, Beerco and Cen-Pe-Co.  Please thank these folks if you see them over the weekend.  Our event is made possible by their commitment to us.