All six rounds of the Finnish Championships are now driven. In most of the classes, the champions of the previous years renewed their title. In the spectacular pro stock 3,5 t class the name of the winner is still Herlevi, but this time more masculine; Pekka took the title from his daughter Johanna. The main event of the season is yet to come. The European championships will be driven next weekend in Hörby, Sweden.
FC tractor pulling competitions were driven this year in Alahärmä, Haapajärvi, Hyvinkää, Oulainen, Tyrnävä and Vaasa. Depending on the place there were spectators from 1000 to 5000 wondering and enjoying the competition of the Finnish Championship. Ostrobothnia is definately the centre of this sport.
FTPA, the Finnish Tractor Pulling Association is marketing tractor pulling in Finland. There is still much work to be done in that field, both for the competitors as well as for the spectators. A rumour has it that two new pro stocks and one modified in under construction for the next summer. With an applause; welcome along!!
Some of the classes driven were not considered as official championship classes because of a lack of competitors. To get an official status for the class there should be at least three participants competing during one season. For example in the super stocks Mikko Perä was in practise competing only against himself.
Three Herlevi’s in Pro Stocks
It is hard to find a match for three members of a same family competing on the top tractor pulling. The Finnish Championship with all prizes again went to Valtra and the Herlevi family. This year father Pekka has been very convincing, Matti renewed his silver from last year, and Johanna had to exchange roles with her dad. Before this year Johanna had won the Finnish championship title three years in a row.
"Our tractors have been running very well. Everything was in good balance; tyres, weights, everything", told Matti and Pekka Herlevi only one week before the EC trip to Sweden."I have had so much bad luck until now. I hope, my fortune will change in the European championships. Anyhow, the most important thing has been the great success of our team. For me the order within our team is a minor point as such", tells Johanna Herlevi.
The pro stock race tractors of Valtra team are based on Valtra 8950 HiTech model and have this year nearly 1600 hp and a torque of 2400 Nm. Still a complete race tractor requires much more besides a good running Sisudiesel engine.
The first positions of the other classes were also divided between familiar names from last year, fortunately in varying order. This year Jukka Vähätalo with his Ursus achieved the fourth place.
Familiar names, but also quitters
In modified mini class 950 kg Tommi Kotilainen and his Stormy Lightning were unbeatable in Finland. Jukka Hietanen became second.
Järvitalo was in the lead of the Modified 2500 kg and 3500 kg classes. Last year’s champion in the lighter class, Mirja, gave the game up, so her husband Uuno took this year the brightest trophies with full points. However Rauno Anteroinen with Fine Line was making a good competition in 3,5 t class.
In Super stock class Mikko Perä is driving without any competitors just for the joy of the audience and of course to get some experience. Only at the European level it gets serious.
Two Valmet 565 –tractors were ruling the lightest farm class. Voitto Kivimäki beat Tapani Voltti by 6 points.
Timo Laine with his MF renewed his victory with full points. In two heavier classes last year’s champions Eero and Erkki Peräaho withdrew from the competitions this summer. Esa Niemi, silver medallist of year 2000 took victory in both classes.
