dekalb super pull

[MolineG]

I heard there will be NO antique tractors pulling at the dekalb super pull in 09 is this true?thanks

 

[Anonymous-0]

If that's true ? When times are tough and you need hooks to pay the bills you need to cut classes it make perfect sense right??? how many hundred antique hooks they have last year must not need the money????

 

[firefarm]

I'll try and explain... Last year we had about 100 hooks on Friday and about 100 on Saturday. The hook fee for antiques is $30 and we pay 50% of that back. That leaves $15 to the club or $1500 per session. The antique sessions bring in virtually no paying spectators.

The $3000 that we "made" on the antiques is a drop in the bucket when it comes to paying the rent for the building, sled, fuel for the heaters and track equipment, etc.

The antique classes DO NOT "pay the bills" at the Super Pull, paying spctators do.

We have dropped the Friday afternoon session all together and are running a session of hot trucks and tractors on Saturday at noon.

We also contacted some other clubs in the area about taking over the antiques at the Dekalb pull but they also have figured that they can't cover expenses.

Jason Snyder
COTPA Board member
419-295-6897
[email protected]

There is my email, name and phone number. If you're going to bash the club or other board members, please post your name.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Well NATPA Tallmadge is around the same time maybe a week later this year,I geuss that is all people need to know! I miss the old Dekalb Super Pull,like when it was in Columbus and they had two and three tracks with tons of tractors every day. That was the best and largest indoor antique pull I have ever been to. Maybe someone else can bring one back like it sometime somewhere!

 

[Mopower]

Amen. I miss it too. That was the first big antique pull I'd ever been to. Dad and I didn't know there could be so many Molines in one place. We didn't really even know what the NATPA was. We loved the OSATPA, So we went again the next year AND always payed to get back in to the "spectator" events. What a great time. The parking garage was like a tractor show in itself. Nothing has been such a pleasure to attend since. These days I enjoy the NATPA events at Wauseon, Ohio and Corunna, MI.

John Snyder, I appreciate what it takes to put on the events especially after being active in my own local club and putting on our own national "Michigan Shootout" (small in comparison). I've noticed if the antique crowd can be drawn in for a large event, a majority of them willingly become paying spectators when the big smoke and fire show begins. As more and more antiques get in the back of the line at county fairgrounds and such, our own Clintonia Antique Farm Power Club grows and grows. I can't help but think it helps us. Best of luck this year with the Dekalb Super Pull.

Ethan Berry
CAFPC Member

 

[Mopower]

It does sorta stink when increasing costs from liability, demand, and such start shutting down other's good times. I believe this is why some of the local pulls have become so nice. It's a little cheaper to have fun out in the sticks. I do miss the nights at the fairgrounds in front of the grandstands under the lights. Most have been bumped to weekday mornings or Sunday afternoons to allow paying seats to be filled during prime time. Hope the Dekalb pull is a hit and can continue depite the rising cost of doing business. Ours is more of a participant funded sport (antique). Summer nights are coming and the lights will still be on in Fowler, MI.

Ethan Berry
CAFPC Member

 

[Anonymous-0]

Sounds like the antiques (which founded the pull) are taking it in the rear with this decision! Classic case of why incorporating "newer" tractors into a group doesn't work, they will just push you out the door...

 

[Superih]

I pulled at Dekalb in 2004 and loved it. My tractor was down for the next couple of years so I couldn't make it back, and have since wanted to go back to a pull if it was like the pull in 2004. Tunica is an awesome time but an 800 mile trip for me, Columbus was alot closer and as much/more fun.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Not bashing the club. Just want to make sense of it, Seems like having one day of antique pullers with the right classes you could make it worth while.Every club does it !! Most all the pullers I know want to go pull more than two times.(like your rules stated last year) 50% payback ,A few sponsers 250 hooks X 30 bucks Then have all the BIG money pullers on Sat.Seems you could make it work if you wanted to. Somehow NATPA and USAP make it work every year look at the pull in tunica ?? you can manage this think about it could be a good deal. You know with the economy this bad the big money guys wont always be there to carry your club don't forget the roots of pulling it might come back to bite you in the end . Just my opinion of course.

 

[firefarm]

That building is for rent on Thursday and Sunday if you'd like to make a go of it. Call me, I'll get you a contact number.

 

[thumpin pumpkin]

If the building is rented, the insurance is paid, the dirt is on the floor, the sled is rented, and the heaters are running, I don't understand why the antiques and the classics tractors can't pull. Maybe it is just another way the money man can keep the small puller down.

Not so sincerely,
The Thumpin Pumpkin,

 

[770 Puller]

I know six tracots for sure if mines done would be 7 that were returning from last year, we always look forward to it to

 

[Anonymous-0]

Take it easy there dont get upset because the truth hurts you no you screwed the antique guys this year. Then you make a statement about the building being open on thurs and sunday well that wont work you have all the equipment there and dirt, and help ,and insurance no one else can come in there and put on a pull with your club on the same weekend lets call a spade a spade the board didnt want to do it. Everyone go support a real club NATPA, USAP. OR Kev's field of dreams in Osgood,IN all great club's Just my opinion. U guys' at the Super duper pull hope you make it. It was a great pull.....

 

[Anonymous-0]

I am strictly a spectator. I attended the Super Pull when it was in columbus. I am also a business man who understands economics. I also have many freinds that pull. I will try to give you my opinion and many others. Your problem with antiques. Your pull vs. NATPA in Tallmadge. Antique guys would rather pull for bragging rights in points than a one time cash payday. If you pull antiques very few will truly make money, its a pride thing. Also for local guys I would say it is an even split of guys who want to pull for money or measure themselves up against the national competition. I would say you lose about half the local guys to that. You also say that you get no spectators for antiques. I beleive the price of admission for your pull was $15 each session. To our defense why would anyone pay your outragous price of admission to see half the picture. To see the whole picture it would cost $60. I can go to Wausseon or Talmadge and watch 3 days of antiques for $15. The economics say you lose. I also have to say that you are losing your local crowd to your high prices. I have about 10 buddies that pull locally and far away, hitting about 10-25 pulls a year. You used to get them for about 5 more each. But at $20 dollar hook fees and a $20 dollar membership you lose. You lost them due to this, a $6 payback for 2nd out of about 15 tractors. It cost him $40 to win $6 for placing 2nd. I also paid $10 to get in. The club is a business and needs to make money I understand this! But rule #1 is invest in the business. Don't steal from the little guy to put money in the big guys pocket. I hope the big tractor club can make it with there money because you are politely telling the little guy that he is not welcome or needed for that matter.

 

[Anonymous-0]

hey there eathan...sorry i haven't gotten that engine yet. i maybe you can post your club website on here..and note that the JD 4010's are legal at your club(no turbo)...as well as a nice payback..that is why it is prosperous. hope all is well with you...ttyl
smokey.

 

[Mopower]

"Invest in the business". I thought I'd never hear anyone say it. Cutting costs is a defensive tactic. Making money (investing in the business) is offensive. A company never succeeds on money saved. Before money can be saved, it must be made.

Take Tractor Supply Company for which I worked during college. I observed that air/oil filter and spark plug selection were drastically being reduced. The boss explained those were low volume parts with small profit margins. As I watched hobby farmer after garage mechanic walk out without their part, I noticed they didn't return for a case of oil, washer fluid, softener salt, or dog food either. Meanwhile I got reprimanded for increasing inventory on other small items that commonly sold out. Just a college kid who didn't know better I guess.

Hook Magazine is another fine example of heated discussion on this forum. While I enjoy reading it and buy ad space, they say it must be filled with an increasing number of chrome and smoke events to pay the bills. It would seem that increasing your subscribers would be the quickest way to sell ad space, but my turned off NATPA buddies let their subscriptions run out. This goes farther than simply relying on readers to send photos and letters. Why not give the country fella something he must have on the stand by his favorite chair year-round.

While the goal of our CAFPC club is not to be a profitable venture, the more revenue we generate, the more competitive and enjoyable we can make our events. I set out with this goal in mind. We created four classes allowing mild to wild a place to pull. Today we've hosted two successful national jackpot pulls and have at least a dozen new members join in 2008. Our Michigan Shootout weekend racked up almost 300 hooks. Our hook fees are still only $10. Great payback too! Not to bad for the proverbial "little guy".

There's a point to my rambling. Antique tractor pulling is a business like any other (NTPA, NASCAR, or NFL). I'm not a great business man, but a philosopher of reason. I don't like hearing "little guy vs. big guy" because it's usually not so much a competition as an excuse. In a participant funded sport of sentimental value, the participant is the customer. In a spectator sport... well you get the idea. Thanks for your wise explanation. The price of something doesn't rely on the kindness of the seller, but on the demand for the merchandise. In this case NATPA is the "Wal-Mart" of national antique pulling and DeKalb has become "The GAP". If Wal-mart charged GAP prices, it wouldn't make money either.

 

[Mopower]

No big deal. There's a beer or two waiting for ya when you get here Smokey. CAFPC will be even better next year!

 

[firefarm]

Let me start off by saing that the Dekalb Super Pull WAS the best antique pull around back in the day when it was in Columbus. It will never be the same as it was back then. But, when the State Fair charges $40,000 rent for the weekend, we just can't afford it.

MOPOWER,
You've made some great points, but, you also wouldn't expect to find GAP quality merchandise at Wal Mart.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I must of missed something. I have been to the Dekalb Pull, both at Columbus and Eaton. Columbus was a lot bigger but Eaton has a beautiful faculity and I thought everything went well. Did hear the rumor antiques were on their way out. Will miss seeing one friend in peculiar who had a pretty bad MM and a Modified Case. (Maybe in Florida) Art

 

[Vic S.]

I pulled with USAP and John L. at Evansville In. They pulled three tracks at once, we pulled on the inside and John ran his show the same as always, smooth. Its diffrent pulling beside a loud V8. Went up into the stands after my pulls, and at least four people came over and comented on our (old) tractors. And no I didn't win. So you see we can all pull and get along together.Merry Christmas and remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Vic

 

[AntiqueOutlaw]

Although I have never had the pleasure of bringing my tractor to the Midwest, I hope to do soe in the not too distant future. Unfortunately, as it stands now I have a tractor that develops its Hp from high rpms and would not generate enough hp in Div. V. But as I read through these posts, it really struck a nerve with me.
I currently pull in NE Pennsylvania and have just taken over as President of a local club that was dying. The reason that I am commenting on this is that it is directly related to our county fair and has used the grounds since its inception. When the club was started years ago they pulled all season long and during the fair they would pull at the "Big Track" with the Grandstands. Eventually, they got pushed out, and moved to the back corner of the Fairgrounds. Now we have a hard time just getting them to put our event times in their flyer let alone advertise and let people know that we are back their. I have not been in this sport very long, but both of my families were farmers and they were rooted in this sport many years ago. The one thing that I can tell you, in response to the money and paybacks, is that, from Antique Stock to Super Stock Unlimited, it is all for bragging rights and sponsors. Not one single person can make enough money on any level to support this "hobby". They may get enough support from a sponsor or justify the cost through advertisement, but you could never make the case that someone was going to pull in order to win their money back. It is a nice "perk" to maybe cover your fuel cost, but it will not pay the bills on any level. This sport is about bragging rights, plain and simple.
On another not to what I was alluding to ealier, the fair not only pushed out the antiques, but this past year they eliminated the "Farm Stock" class from their friday night pull. The Friday Night pull at our county fair is by far the biggest draw of the entire fair and they sell out every year. Fans like to see the hot stuff, but what is missing? The Good Ol' Boys are missing. These are the nights that I have heard stories about all my life. The stories of the off the farm tractors and who had the most "snot" with a little work done. The cherished Red vs. Green battle, the blue dark horse.
I don't mean to ramble on, but here is my point. If you continue to push away the little guys and the somewhat "affordable" pullers, you will eventually kill the club that you are involved with. The local guys are the ones that have the families and friends that attend your events, and I can tell you from my exprience in sales, the small guys have alot more friends than the big guys. At minimum, every Saturday morning when they are having their coffee together they will slowly chew away the club that "got to big for their pants".
Unfortunately, I have to fight that battle now to revive a once dominant club, but with some hard work, volunteers, and a little luck I think we can go somewhere with it. Thats my take on what I see, just thought an example might help send it home guys.

 

[Mopower]

$40K holy crap. I'd pay on a loan for years to rent the grounds fopr a weekend. It was a great time with that parking garage and all to walk up and down rows of tractors. I would say a Superstock like Screamin' Demon or the Pro-pain MM would be more GAP or Banana republic quality and my rusty old UB might be Wal-Mart or "Dollar General" merchandise.

 

[Mopower]

Amen once again. The same seems to happen around here. The Ionia Free Fair was the best antique pull around. It was a Thursday night on a fresh grandstand clay track the NTPA used. Yeah, we still are allowed to use it on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

I'm working hard to invest in our local antique club in a heavy farm community and it's growing leaps and bounds. Ionia has started its own great show and pull organization. Unfortunately it's just not the same as bragging night at the county fair.

Historicaly I thought the county fair was organized to draw customers to local agricutural vendors. I'm all for making money but government is not a business. Farms, manufacturing, and stores are. Fairgrounds have bills to pay, but they do not exist to make a profit unless privately owned. They exist to attract as many potential customers to local business as possible... local business owned and supported by all us good ole' boys.

Keep it rural fellas,

Ethan Berry

 

[SingleFrontWheel]

BIG LOTS, buddy...

 

[Anonymous-0]

Its a shame to see the Dekalb pull die, this was the reason we got into pulling. We went to Columbus for a few years just to watch, and decided to build a couple of tractors so we could participate. My most memorable pull was in 04, I was battling cancer and took my 560 there for the first time although I didn't win I did finish 3rd in the 7500 lb. class against 20 John Deeres, where else can you find that many tractors in a heavy class. I realize they cost were so high at the fairgrounds, but man that was a great place to pull and then you could stay around and watch the smokers in the evening. Oh well as they say all good things must come to an end.

 

[CLIFF S]

AO I am glad to see you understand what it takes to keep a club going and Growing is a place for All the Antiques to pull! Shure Faster Tractors are fun to Run or watch,But most Big Pullers got a start right here!! Sometime i think they grow too fast and Forget that the Roots are ther Foundation!!!!

 

[brandon youngpeter]

all u people that sit around and watch antique tractors pull must lead boaring lives.. it like watching paint dry it flat out is retarded...u call it pulling when u get dq for going over 3mph what a joke i will be their pulling my disiel pulling truck and will bring at least 15 people to watch me pull.. how many of u put puts can say that u will bring 5 with u let alone 15