The Versailles Republican Sports
July 5, 2007

 

2007 F.A.R.M Club antique tractor pull held at Ripley County Fairgrounds

Gary Franklin - Sports Editor
The antique farming and related machinery show held on the weekend of June 22-24 at the Ripley County fairgrounds was greatly attended and appreciated by attenders. Many comments were made by viewers, happy to see such a large array of memories collected in one place, especially at the price of free entry to the numerous exhibits.
The tractor pull scheduled for Friday evening was postponed due to rain until the Ripley County Fair, but the Antique pull got off without a htch, or should I say with many hitches.
Pictured below are but a few of those tying the knot to the sled, which include fellows who are or have been Ripley County competitors in many different sporting events, pror to this one.
The competitions drivers varied from high school aged to grandpas. The tractors from smokers to quiet and from rusty to beautifully painted and detailed. Loud and proud to quiet and lethal. All made for a very entertaining evening for those with the farm at heart.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Milan Indian senior Andrew Dixon, an avid sports figure for the tribe, also enjoys the extracurricular activity of the tractor pull at the F.A.R.M. Antique tractor pull held at the Ripley County Fairgrounds in Osgood on Saturday, June 23. This was Dixon's first and he would like to do it more. He is aboard a late 50's model 770 Oliver. Dixon is also a Ripley County 4-H member.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Cross Plains Wildcat of the past Donald Eades enjoys tractor pulls on his 1954 Super MTA IH McCormick Farmall. As time passes, the sports may change, but the competitive instincts continue. Bigger boys require bigger toys. Eades took 3rd place in the 2006 Indoor Winter National Antique Tractor Pull for both the 6500# and 6000# - 3 MPH class. Eades won the 6500# pull at Osgood and finished 3rd in the 6000# pull. His last pull was at Quincy Illinois last weekend, June 30.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Jac-Cen-Del Eagle senior Zach Linville pulls his 1957 John Deere 720 as a part of the 2007 F.A.R.M.Antique tractor pull held for the first year at the Ripley County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 23. He has pulled tractors in competition since the age of 9. At right, Grandpa Roger tries his luck. Young Linville is a Ripley County 4-H member.