Lucas Oil East Coast Series Thrills Buck Motorsports Park

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

One of the final events that the Lucas Oil East Coast Pulling Series holds is at one of the more smaller facilities on the tour.  Located in the heart of Amish Country in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, Buck Motorsports Park has become a place where many of the classes enjoy coming to.

The reason…the dirt.

Despite the facility holding four different pulling shows over the season, every time the series comes to “The Buck” it seems the dirt still holds strong and provides a lot of grip.

This past Saturday, the East Coast Series hosted the “Buck Pull Off” Finals to close out their pulling schedule for the 2016 season, and the series made sure to bring out the best classes in the field to greet the capacity crowd that came out on a crisp, but comfortable, September night.

The fans were treated to some of the stiffest competition in the country, and were also pleased to see a track that would not produce much dust.  It meant for every class that the track would have grip, but as the pulls continued it would be critical for the drivers to find the right bite, and to maneuver their machines to where they felt the track would hold the grip.

Officials brought out two sleds for the event, although the Decision Maker Blue machine stayed in the pit area as the backup in case of any issues.

Drivers would hook up to the Red Sled on this night, and the track that was laid out gave all a 30-foot wide area to decide where to start, and looking down a distance that was given a “Full Pull” mark at 300 feet.  However, to save some time and in order to prevent teams from experiencing some engine troubles or more opportunities for breakage, it was decided prior to the event that a floating finish line would be used.  This meant with the exception of the test puller, the drivers would only have one shot at the track.

The laser-measuring system was locked in, all vehicles were weighed and cleared, and fans were all set to see the Pull Offs get under way.

On the track first were the Pro Stock and Super Stock tractors, combining both the turbo-charged smoker tractors to compete alongside a few alcohol-fueled beasts.  It was a class that let fans decide on their favorite make of tractor, whether it be a John Deere, International, or even New Holland.

Fred Hildenbrand drew the low number on this night, and was the first hook of the evening.  He would pull right out to a massive distance of just over 340 feet, and initially wanted to take the pull.  However, officials were not sure if the weight in the sled’s box was set right, nor the gearing to let the weight transfer forward.  So, they decided to look at a second pull and then make the decision.  What this meant was if the sled needed reset, the first two pullers would drop to the bottom of the field and pull again.  If officials decided the sled was set right, then Hildenbrand’s decision to accept the pull would be honored.

The second pull was Henry Everman in his International named “Final Decision,” and he pulled just about 10 feet shorter than the “Froggy” John Deere that went prior.  Officials keyed the radio and decided the sled was good, and Hildenbrand would hold the lead.

A total of 18 tractors would come to the Buck for the final run of the season in Pennsylvania, with many having runs beyond the 300-foot mark.  But, this night was key to be first as Hildenbrand held on to win the class.

Pro Stock/Super Stock Final Results
TRACTOR,Driver, Manufacturer-Distance (in Feet)

• Froggy, Fred Hildenbrand, John Deere-341.61*
  *Test Pull, Sled not official.
• Final Decision, Henry Everman, International-330.63**
  **Sled official, Test pull accepted
• Think Green, Josh Martin, John Deere-325.73
• Case Pending, Kris Hoyt, Case-283.73
• Bootlegger, Russell Hildenbrand John Deere-326.52
• Dairy Deere, John Deere-DISQUALIFIED, Out of Bounds
• Determination, Case International-295.30
• Red Line Harvester, Case International-165.46
• John Deere Green, John Deere-310.77
• That Darn Deere, John Deere-309.21
• Moore Agitation, John Deere-306.85
• Nut Case, Kris Hoyt, Case-306.74
• The Patriot, Thomas Bedgar, International-317.76
• Ultimate Harvester, Tim Ammons, International-323.20
• One Moore Deere, Davey Moore, John Deere-309.04
• Six Shooter, Kevin Windsor, New Holland-294.35
• Loose Cannon, Russell Hildenbrand, John Deere-39.22
  • WINNER-Froggy, Fred Hildenbrand

 

The sled was moved forward to remove some of the weight in the box, but meanwhile the announcers wanted to make sure fans put on their ear protection for the next class.  As the sled was moved back into position, some pull vehicles were towed out to the starting line.  On the list to hit the track next were the modified four-wheel drive trucks.  These vehicles are extremely light on the back end because the way the rear tires get grip is thanks to the sled, since it weighs 15 tons even without weight in the box.

Here, the key for teams is to move enough weight on the front axles to get the front tires to grip.

Drawing the low number on this night was Bill Cramer and his Chevrolet Silverado, The Contender.  His blown Chevrolet engine would scream once he found grip after the 100-foot mark, and would push to the finish line just past 314 feet.  Officials came to his window and were told he would take the pull, and the sled operator felt the weight was just right, and the class would continue.

On the next run, Wayne Tapscott II would have a mirror run to the test pull.  However, the Tasmanian Terror II S10 would go one foot more, taking over the lead.

After that point, it seemed that the number drawn would be a hindrance instead of a help.

Of the 11 trucks that followed, only four would manage to get beyond the 300-foot mark as the track would be torn up and more loose with each run.  Ironically, it was Cramer’s son, Jacob, that would come the closest to the lead on the final hook, coming up less than one foot to the lead.  But, Tapscott kept the lead the entire night and became victorious.

Modified Four-Wheel Drive Trucks Final Results
Truck, Driver, Make-Distance (in Feet)

• The Contender, Bill Cramer, Chevrolet Silverado-314.62*
  *Test Pull-Accepted
• Tasmanian Terror II, Wayne Tapscott II, Chevrolet S10-315.74
• Killin’ Time, Troy Nails, 1949 Chevrolet-291.56
• Unleashed, Jimmy Moritz II, 1998 Ford F150-308.64
• Iron Butterfly, Lynda Ziegler, Chevrolet 1500-300.33
• Mr. Chevy, Dan Savage, Chevrolet 1500-290.98
• Risky Business, Tim Varner, Chevrolet 1500-261.69
• Temper Tantrum, Tony Kosar, 1972 Chevrolet-214.22
• Damage Plan, John Dugan, 1979 Ford-296.62
• Fare Game, Paul Booth, Chevrolet 1500-303.60
• Show Off, Robert Nagel, Chevrolet 1500-270.19
• Wiker Welding, James Wiker, Chevrolet Silverado-293.94
• Supernatural, Jacob Cramer, Chevrolet Silverado-314.80
  • WINNER-Tasmanian Terror II, Wayne Tapscott II

 

A longer intermission followed the trucks to not only allow the fans time to stretch, get some food and visit the facilities as needed, but also for the track crews.

The grader driver along with the packer tractor worked the track back to near what it was to start the night.  Getting the dirt worked back in as best as possible was critical for the third class.  What also became critical were fans making sure their ears were plugged.  It was already loud thanks to the trucks, but the class upcoming was even more noisy.

Take one of those engines in the trucks, but add a supercharger…then add a similar engine to it, bolted crankshaft-to-crankshaft, and in some cases a third engine added in a step-up design.  Some plugged two of the three engines in sideways, all connecting to one driveshaft.  Others opted for airplane engines, whether Allison or turbine.

In any case, these machines needed to weight 7500 lbs. when on the scales.  The noise was coming because the biggest, heaviest, and loudest class was coming up, the modified tractors.

Out first in the class was Len Brookhart in the Radial Reactor, powered by a Wright R-3350 engine plus a blower.  The orange-and-black machine gripped and pulled to a distance just over 301 feet.  Brookhart decided to accept the pull and the sled was official.

Two runs later, the ladies in the crowd got to stand up and be proud.  Sharon Everman brought out the Wild Hare, powered by twin HEMI engines, each putting out near 2000 horsepower a piece.

She found the grip, the balance, and the momentum, blasting down the dirt and coming to a stop beyond 300 feet, taking the lead.

Not one tractor that followed her came close to matching the distance.  It was “Girl Power” for this class, making it was a great night for the Everman family and the Buck faithful.

7500-Pound Modified Tractor Final Results
Tractor, Driver, Engine Configuration-Distance (in Feet)

• Radial Reactor, Len Brookhart, Wright R-3350-301.84*
  *TEST PULL-Accepted
• Fony Farmer, Kourtney Robinson, Triple Blown Chevrolets-274.15
• Wild Hare, Sharon Everman, Twin HEMI’s-310.97
• Attitude Adjuster, Phil Jones, Triple 557 Cu. In. Chevrolets-269.42
• Fony Express, Tim Robinson, Triple Chevrolets-DISQUALIFIED, Out of Bounds
• New Yorker, Lee Bement, Turbine-270.48
• Here’s Hopin’, Jason Broomer, Twin Dodge 500’s-213.79
• Double Vision, Dave Daku, Twin Allison V12-261.40
• Never Satisfied, Jason McKenzie, Twin HEMI’s-261.46
  • WINNER-Wild Hare, Sharon Everman

 

The final class, which also had the shortest field for the night, was one of the more exciting and popular classes on the tour.  The supercharged, two-wheel drive trucks have always been a favorite among fans because of the effort of trying to find the balance of horsepower, and grip.  Drivers will look to gear the truck for the type of track, but also have to make a decision on weight.

By weight, it’s in how much weight to add to the front end to either let the nose of the truck rise up, or keep it near the ground.  Often if the nose is too high, it means that grip and balance are not equal, and not as much momentum is going to the rear tires.  To much weight on the nose means no weight is being transferred, and it hurts distance once the weight is near the front of the sled.  Mainly, if a driver can maintain the nose of the truck about a foot or less above the ground for a majority of the pull, it will mean a good run.

Randy Davis figured that out quickly as he would draw the first run on the track.  His run saw the truck go sky-high near the end of his pull, but his S-10 named “Her Dirty Money” hooked up and went just over 324 feet down the track.

With the sled set, and Davis accepting the pull, the final four competitors would not come near the distance of the first run.

The closest run came right after, with Clarence Tipton III going just over 277 feet.  With the exception of Trent Best, who lost a turbo on his 1923 Ford early on, the distances went down with each pass.  Davis’ run was more than enough to claim the final victory of the night, and close out the Buck’s pulling schedule for the 2016 season.

Super Modified Two-Wheel Drive Trucks
Truck, Driver, Make-Distance (in Feet)

• Her Dirty Money, Randy Davis, Chevrolet S10-324.01*
  *Test Pull-Accepted
• Tipton’s Toy, Clarence Tipton III, 1935 Ford-277.02
• Best Bet, Trent Best, 1923 Ford T Bucket-98.20
• The Bear Express, Bob Wittenbrader, Dodge Express Van-262.56
• Wild and Blue, Clarence Tipton III, Ford C-Cab Van-264.58
  • WINNER-Her Dirty Money, Randy Davis

 

To find out the entire schedule and listing of classes for the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, visit ProPulling.com.  For information on the East Coast Pullers, including classes and results for the season, go to EastCoastPullersLLC.com.