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European Super Pull in the Netherlands - Johanna Herlevi takes the indoors championship

Europe's biggest indoor tractor pulling event took place in the Ahoy sports hall, Rotterdam, March 10. The rainy spring weather had little success in putting down the spirits as the competitors and fans met after a long winter break. All the seats were taken and the event was followed by about 10 000 eager pulling fans, some of whom had come down all the way from the United States. The Pro Stock class featured some of the best tractor pulling teams in Europe, including the two 1300 horsepower tractors of the Valtra Shell team, which are built on the tractors of the Valtra HiTech line.

The tractors were driven by Matti Herlevi and Johanna Herlevi. This time the father of the family, Pekka, had to content himself with keeping the thumbs up for his children like the members of the maintenance team. Of the Valtra duo Johanna was luckier, making a swift FullPull. Unfortunately, Matti, who was one of the last competitors, seemed to be out of luck. The extension on the indoor exhaust pipe came off and the pull was interrupted. Matti was not allowed to make a re-run, but judging from the test pull he was permitted to make, the team came close to taking two trophies.

Johanna won the Pull off competition by beating the Case driven by the 1999 European champion, Robert Soenen, with no difficulties.

- The background work of the team was once again impressive, said Johanna thankfully. - The majority of the competitors were using their latest technology, but we used the same tune-ups we used last year. When we get to compete outdoors again, we will have the new technical solutions that were designed for the year 2001 at our disposal, said Johanna on the prospects for the coming season.

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