Manufacturer's Cup

Everyone who has watched a motorsport event dreams of personally gripping the steering wheel of the vehicle given the checkered flag.

There may be a chance to live that dream at the West Coast Nationals tractor and truck pull Feb. 10-11 at the Tulare County Fairgrounds in Tulare, Calif.

However, don't bother asking the owners of the multi-engine, blown, fuel-burning monster tractors that make the ground shake like a 7.5 earthquake when they manhandle a 60,000-pound sled 300 feet without bogging down. Those rides are not for novices.

However, if your tractor dealer is one of the six with entries in the inaugural Manufacturers’ Cup at this year’s fifth annual West Coast Nationals, you may get a chance to try to drag that sled to the finish line. If you have a check in hand for a new tractor from one of those dealers, you could have an even better chance getting buckled in for at least a practice run.

Billed as "friendly competition" among local Central San Joaquin Valley dealers, those participating in the first-ever showroom tractor pull in Tulare leave no doubt they are out to finish No. 1.

“We are looking forward to having a little fun,” says Jim Maciel, general manager of Quality Machinery with stores in Hanford and Tulare.

“For the competition, one of our mechanics has been selected to drive the AGCO tractor. There is no pressure, but I would not want to be in the shop Monday morning to hear his co-workers, if he does not do well,” laughed Maciel.

“We are looking to win it,” says Kevin Vivian of Quinn Company, which will bring a Challenger to the competition.

“If one of my guys drives and doesn’t win, no need for him to come to work Monday,” he laughed. “Seriously, it will be a great experience,” he says.

Vivian has been involved in small side-by-side field demos pitting his equipment against the competitors. But, never before a crowd of 3,000 expected for this year’s premier central valley tractor and truck pull.

“The opportunity to showcase our equipment is great for the dealership,” said Steve Silva of Pioneer Equipment.

Those looking for a ride on the Garton Tractor New Holland entry will likely have to arm wrestle a son of one the dealership’s owner, Ben Garton.

“We have had a lot of support from the owners for participating in this. Ben says he wants to drive our entry,” says Tommy Akins of Garton.

Although it may be tough to get behind the wheel of the New Holland, Akins says the dealership, like all the other five competitors, plans to send out invitations to its customers and potential customers. “We want everyone to come and have a good time and root for the home team.”

“The timing is perfect,” according to Jamie Fraser of Oxbo Corp, which will carry the McCormick brand flag. “We are pretty excited about it. Bragging rights mean a lot in this business, and we do not plan to lose to anyone.”

For Jamie McCann’s dealership McCann Ag, it will be a rare opportunity to show off a new tractor model. It is a Same Deuitz-Fahr. If you can pronounce it correctly for McCann, a practice ride may be yours.

“It is really good exposure for us because not too many farmers have seen one of our tractors. It is a great show. It should be fun….and we plan on winning, so farmers will know who we are.”

The rules are simple. The tractor must be rated at 180 to 190 horsepower and weight from 16,000 to 18,000 pounds, according to Donnie Fagundes, president of the Pacific Pullers Association, sponsor of the West Coast Nationals.

These tractors are the everyday workhorses on San Joaquin Valley farms.

Each tractor will get a practice pull before the show and then one run during the actual completion. Combined total distance on the two show runs wins the Manufacturers’ Cup.

The favorite? Of course, everyone picked their own entry.

Maciel may have let the cat out of the bag when he talked about the AGCO entry.

“Agco’s 180-horsepower tractor is too heavy for the weight range so we are bringing the 155 horsepower model. We probably will not do all that well,” says sandbagger Maciel. “Maybe we can do some things with weight that might help a little.”

Tractor pulling is mostly about horsepower, but weight distribution on the tractor makes a big difference in achieving a 300-foot full pull. The little guy may be laying in wait.

“We know farmers have their preferences in tractors, and we thought we’d have a little friendly competition,” says Fagundes. “It will give a true local flavor to the event and be a lot of fun. Response has been excellent from the dealerships.”