Lancashire tractor contest pulls in crowds

Thousands of visitors cheered as adapted specialist racing tractors competed to drag a weight down a 100-metre track. With the noses of tractors often lifting off the ground, tractor drivers from across Europe fought to see who could pull the weight the furthest.

Tom Beattie, chairman of the North West Tractor Pullers Club said: “Saturday’s event was one of the most successful in the history of the club, a full evening of tractor pulling, including both European and UK finals, was watched by thousands of spectators. Competitors from 18 countries took part in the European classes, with the main honours being taken by The Rocky Team from Holland for the Prostock class and Green Monster from Germany taking the Heavy modified class.”

Tractor pulling is the world’s most powerful motorsport and takes place in a specially constructed arena at the Great Eccleston showfield. While the history of the sport is very much embedded in the Lancashire farming community, the event now attracts motorsport enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond.