Tractor / driver |
1st pull |
2nd pull |
pull off |
|
| 1 | Sigma
Power (Valtra) Pekka Herlevi, FIN |
FP | 99.72 | |
| 2 | Rough Justice (Case IH) Martin Nicholson, GB |
FP | 95.91 | |
| 3 | Caesar
(Valtra) Matti Herlevi, FIN |
FP | 94.13 | |
| 4 | Too Hot to Handle (Case IH) Lucien Keulers, NL |
FP | 90.15 | |
| 5 | Herkules
(Ursus) Hans Erik Gammelby, DK |
FP | 87.49 | |
| 6 | Défi (Case IH) Robert Soenén, F |
18.00 | FP | 80.89 |
| 7 | Trial 'n
Error John Deere, GB |
FP | 79.29 | |
| 8 | Blue Bambino (Ford) Niels Damgaard, DK |
FP | -- | |
| 9 | Freriks
Werken Runaway (John Deere) Paul Broeks, NL |
91.18 | 89.36 | |
| 10 | Doris (Valtra) Johanna Herlevi, FIN |
90.29 | ||
| 11 | Flash (Ford) | 42.81 | ||
| 12 | John Deere Allan Nielsen, DK |
40.00 | ||
| 13 | Gaspard
(Deutz Fahr) Benoit Soenen, F |
-- | ||
| 14 | Wickie Power (Ford) Aadri van der Veeken, NL |
-- |
Victorious opening at the Euro Cup for Valtra Shell Pulling Team
Due to the foot and mouth disease the start of the pulling season 2001 was postponed until the beginning of June. The first Euro cup competition was held in Bernay, France on the 2. -3. June. For the most of the teams this was the first competition this year, therefore the competitors at the close pit area were waiting in a flutter of expectation for their turns to perform in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators and pulling fans. At the pro stock class the amount of tractors was plenty. All the best pros were present, 14 tractors from 5 different countries.
To a slight annoyance of the Valtra team, the track in Bernay was exceptionally dry and slippery. A tough competition was to be expected. Normally a track with good traction is better for Valtra’s pulling tractors as they then can get the most advantage from the HiTech powershift.
On the basis of the performances of this first event it goes without saying that the winter was not taken as a break. On the contrary, development work has certainly been done. Some very impressive pulls were seen in Bernay and the competition is getting more even race by race.
Pekka and Matti Herlevi made nice and easy pulls, indeed, but in the pull off Matti had to brake the whole way in order to keep his tractor between the white lines, and that slowed down the speed and probably cost him few metres.
Unfortunately Johanna was out of luck this weekend. She made a good start and was going fast, but the pull stopped suddenly somewhere in 90 meters due to some technical problems. Later at the pit area it was found out that an electrical fault in transmission was the reason for a sudden and sharp rise of revs which of it’s part damaged the engine.
After this first event it is hard to point out the strongest tractors this season, and it is impossible to say what kind of pulling summer is ahead. At least we saw that Valtra’s pulling tractors are efficient and hard to be beaten.
Next the team will compete on the 10th of June in Oulainen, Finland. That will be the opening of the pulling season in Finland and the first round of Finnish Championships as well, so all the pullers aiming for the championship will be there.
Receiving the awards
Pekka Herlevi
Sigma Power pulling
Matti Herlevi and Caesar
Johanna Herlevi and Doris