It’s that time of year every winter where pullers and their families retreat to their heated shops to find extra traction or that next completive advantage for the coming season to put them on top when and where it counts. In the fall of 2013 I was fortunate enough to travel south to what I would call one of the largest indoor antique pulls in Tunica, MS. During our trip we endured 70º weather at 10pm on a Wednesday night, 46º weather and windy on Thursday and 32º weather and rain/sleet/ice/snow on Friday. It was a world-wind weather change in the mid-south but the show went on without a hitch, and all of the people that we spend the year seeing in the Hook Magazine and on the internet were there in full force.

We are now in the start of February. We have just had our annual banquet for the year and were able to recognize a few of the people that were there for the club and did an outstanding job in competition this year. Alvin T was the only one and the first to win seven times in a single class, a feat most thought was imposable to do in the first year of the challenge. Alvin was also nice enough to step up and take over as the Treasurer for the 2014 season, and we thank Alvin for doing what it takes to make it happen. Also Loran R has stepped down after a few years as the Secretary and in that time has made a difference on how we get things done and kept us all on the straight and narrow on and off the track.

As we work on our 2014 schedule it came over me that most sports are considered a team event because it is multiple people going for a same goal. In tractor pulling it is only you against the sled, the track, and your competition. And after reviewing what we do each year and how we get things to happen, tractor pulling may be the furthest thing from a single person sport. Every club and puller I have ever been in contact with is willing to give you the shirt off of his back to make sure that he can win against you fairly on the track. And then he relives the time he beat you until the next event, where you can have the chance to redeem yourself or continue the goal of becoming better.

In 2014 the sport is going to need the support of all of us. It is trending down a bit and needs a resurgence. Get out there and give it a try. Find a friend and give them a hand. The relationships that I have made through tractor pulling are bonds that are as tight as immediate family. Everyone is there to look out for the others regardless of anything but the fact that we all love and enjoy this great sport! So take the time to get out and support your sport. See you when the first hook drops in Sigourney Iowa! Give them hell EO and the 326 Express. They are all gunning for you in 2014.