By Kathy McCarty, Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A County tradition will mark its 40th anniversary at this year’s Northern Maine Fair.
“Truck and tractor pulling at the Northern Maine Fair certainly has grown and changed from what it was when it started here 40 years ago.
Photo courtesy of Russell Bugbee
A TRACTOR makes its way along the course at the fairgrounds in Presque Isle. This marks the 40th year for the sport of tractor and truck pulling at the Northern Maine Fair.
That first year, 1973, a stone drag was used. Only farm tractors competed on a slick cement pad on the infield of the horse-racing track at the fairgrounds. However, it didn’t take long to realize that this was a crowd-pleasing event,” said Russell Bugbee, superintendent of mechanical pulling.
Bugbee said the next year Herbie Towle and Vern DeLong, members of the fair board, caught wind of a single tow-back sled that was for sale in New Jersey. With a bit of wheeling and dealing, “they eventually finagled the funds to purchase it.”
“It was called a ‘Tow-Back’ sled because, after it got pulled down the track, it had to be towed back to the start. This type of pull sled had a huge weight box on it because back then they used whatever they could for weights, including other tractors,” said Bugbee.
He explained how a tractor would be driven up onto the pull sled to weight it down for the pull, only to be driven off again at the finish so that the sled could be towed down the track for the next competitor.
“These pulls were time-consuming and often turned into all-day events. That very year, 1974, the tractor pull was moved in front of the grandstand on the horse track to accommodate the growing fan base. Sometime around 1976, modified trucks began competing in the pulls, along with the various classes of tractors,” Bugbee said.
In 1977, Bugbee said the Fair Association commissioned Willie Lynds, of Houlton, to build a mini tow-back sled to be used on garden tractors and lawnmowers.
“They too competed in front of the grandstand with the big boys. The competitors, as well as the number of spectators, continued to increase,” said Bugbee, noting the sport continued to grow to the point “it only made sense to have back-up.”
“In 1988 a tow-back sled that had been built in Mars Hill for use at Spud Speedway became available. I’ve been the superintendent since back then and saw where the sport was going and jumped at the opportunity for the Association to acquire the unit,” he said.
In just over a decade the popularity of the sport had taken off, but along with the excitement of growth came growing pains.
“It became increasingly difficult to be able to fit all of the pulling in around the harness-racing schedule and tempers were flaring. In an effort to alleviate some of the scheduling problems, in 1994 a pulling track was constructed on the infield,” Bugbee said.
Truck and tractor pulling subsequently took place in front of the grandstand, as well as in the infield.
“In 1996 the decision was made to move the John R. Braden headstone closer to the exhibition area and build a second track for pulling in the infield,” said Bugbee. Braden was a famous racehorse who was reportedly buried in the infield of the racetrack.
Bugbee said Presque Isle is currently the only place in the Northeast where spectators can witness truck and tractor pulling on side-by-side tracks.
With a new century came more changes.
“In 2004 a group of investors got together and purchased a self-propelled, weight transfer pull sled — the ‘Dirt Dauber.’ The efficiency and speed of this sled proved to be such that it not only replaced the first tow-back sled, which was sold in 2005, but also the second one, which was retired in 2006 and sold in 2011,” he said.
Bugbee said a weight transfer system is just what the name implies.
“A weight box sets on a set of rails on the pull sled and as the sled is pulled down the track, the weight box moves along those rails transferring weight towards the front of the sled and, in doing so, drives a ‘pan’ into the ground that provides the required drag. The farther up the rails the weight box travels, the farther into the ground the pan goes and the harder it is to move the pull sled,” explained Bugbee.
In 2010, the first self-propelled sled was completely overhauled, right down to the name.
“It is presently known as ‘The Blue Ox.’ The gasoline engine was replaced with diesel and, along with the transmission, moved up under the cab. The rails are now straight instead of slightly uphill, which makes it safer and faster,” he said.
Bugbee said the pull sled that once moved down the track at 3-4 mph now travels in excess of 30 mph down a 300-foot track.
“In the spring of 2012 the weight box was moved forward on the rails to allow for more control, increased reaction time and additional safety measures for the pullers as well as the sled operator. New lights have been added all the way around the sled and spectators can keep up with what’s going on with the addition of new LED signs for speed and distance,” noted Bugbee.
There are currently 40 classes of trucks and tractors that compete in pulling at the NMF.
“For this, our 40th year of pulling, we will have three big shows and expect a great turnout of pullers, including several new guys, as well as fans. Show times are Saturday, July 27, with pro farm and stock tractors at noon and super stock and modified trucks and tractors at 6 p.m., and again on Sunday, July 28, at 1 p.m.,” said Bugbee.
To mark the occasion, organizers will have commemorative items for sale, as well as a special raffle.
“To celebrate this anniversary year, we have a limited supply of commemorative knives available for $20 each. We are also raffling off a limited edition Silver Sierra Henry .22 caliber long rifle; tickets are $5 each. Tickets are available at Ben’s Trading Post, TA Service or by contacting me at 768-1299. Knives may also be purchased from me or at TA Service,” said Bugbee.
“We look forward to seeing you at the fair,” Bugbee said.
