Tractor / driver |
1st pull |
pull off |
|
| 1 | Caesar (Valtra) Matti Herlevi, FIN |
FP | 99,88 |
| 2 | Doris
(Valtra) Johanna Herlevi, FIN |
FP | 99,80 |
| 3 | Sigma
Power (Valtra) Pekka Herlevi, FIN |
FP | 99,04 |
| 4 | Rough
Justice (Case IH) Martin Nicholson, GB |
FP | 96,87 |
| 5 | Défi
(Case IH) Robert Soenen, F |
FP | 85,50 |
| 6 | Trial ´n
Error (JD) Mark Edington, GB |
FP | 68,88 |
| 7 | Wickie
Power (Ford) Aadrie v/d Veeken, NL |
96,40 | |
| 8 | Moving
Mountains (Ford) Jaan v/d Veeken, NL |
95,61 | |
| 9 | Tonja
Harding (Ford) Odd Erling Klingsheim, N |
93,97 | |
| 10 | Bison
(Volvo BM) Pertti Hämäläinen, FIN |
90,27 | |
| 11 | Ice
Bear (Valtra) Mike Simmons, GB |
83,10 | |
| 12 | Bukke
Bruse (Case IH) Jacob Jensen, DK |
36,68 | |
| 13 | Geddy
Up Go Bjarne Jensen, DK |
0,20 |
Smash Hit for Herlevis and Valtra
Despite of all starting difficulties at the European championship of tractor pulling, everything turned out well - especially for the Herlevi family and the whole Valtra Team. This time the worst competitor was the very wet weather. Also other Finns succeeded.
Tractor pulling competitions have been organised at Hörby Arena since 1987. Hörby, situated north of Lund in Sweden, was this year having its third EC. Previous competitions were driven in 1987 and 1995. The organisers were expecting to have 15 000 spectators each day, but unfortunately the rain decreased the amount of viewers
European Championship of tractor pulling was driven in Finland for the first time in 1996. Next time Finland’s turn will be in 2003. European Championship 2002 will be held in the Netherlands.
Teasing rain
On Saturday the was delayed seven hours. Partly because of the bad weather, but also because of the late preparing of the track. Wet clay, which had been put on the track only few days before the event, caused some problems. After some more lime and peat the track was in reasonable condition.
Due to the unpredictable weather conditions all competitors got only one attempt to be qualified for the pull off. On Saturday Finland was well-represented by two pullers.
Mikko Perä and MP-Lift with 3000 hp qualified for the pull off in the super stock class. He came second, only 58 cm behind Dutch Bits ‘n Pieces. According to Mikko everything went well, without any technical or other problems.
Tommi Kotilainen and Stormy Lightning competed in the European Championship race for the third time. Tommi set a distance of 85 metres and it was enough to place him third. Tommi took the start pretty easy, maybe having last year’s tip over in his mind, and his tractor stopped 6 metres short from the silver medal. Anyhow Tommi was more than happy for his bronze medal.
The power to weight ratio of Tommi’s Stormy Lightning is impressive: 950 kg and over 1100 hp with a boost pressure of 2,5 bar.
Congratulations for Mikko and Tommi!
On a rainy Sunday the first Finnish puller was Uuno Järvitalo in a modified 2500 class. This time Uuno and Thunder set a distance of 74 m and unfortunately it wasn’t enough to take him to the pull off.
Triple victory again
On Sunday The Pro Stocks got on the track 3 hours delayed. It started raining in the middle of the class and the track was covered with plastic. After a short break the competition continued.
Besides the Herlevis three other competitors got to the pull off. Pertti Hämäläinen and Bison didn’t quite succeed . Distance for him was 90,27 m.
Martin Nicholson (UK) started the second round. The sledge stopped him near the 100 metre line, at 96,87 m. Despite of that Pekka Herlevi could keep a straight face and outdistanced the Englishman by well over 2 metres, 99,04 m for him.
Mark Edgington’s performance was a little bit unsuccessful, he made some 70 metres. Next Matti and Caesar showed up determinedly. For the joy of the Valtra team he pulled further than all the others, only 12 cm from full pull!
Two more to go. The Frenchman Robert Soenen got stuck in 85 m. Double win for Herlevis was secured. The last excitement was Johanna's pull with Doris.
Johanna and Doris were going just fine already at first round. She didn’t let her brother Matti get off easily: Johanna and Doris were going nicely until the sledge stopped them in 99,80! Triple victory for the family was repeated. This time, with reason, it was Matti’s turn to win. And all three ended up within 84 cm.
"In the pull off I didn’t even have to use my breaks", told Matti with a wide smile on his face.
According to him all three tractors were running fine without any faults in this most important event of the whole season.
Team leader Arto Tiitinen could hardly keep from smiling. "Now we have three European champions in the Herlevi family as well as in the pulling team. One fourfold and two first-timers."
Warm thanks for partners
Now when the season is officially over Valtra Shell Pulling Team wants to present their warm thanks to the sponsors, encouragers and all tractor pulling fans. We wish You all a brisk autumn!
