Eurocup Round 2: Made, Netherlands – June 18/19^th, 2011.

The last time we pulled in Made, the track was worthless, and weights were put to the rear. But bad weather put us on track two, following the 950kg Mini’s, and the already-pulled surface proved better than it looked.

Red Alert was test-puller – an unfortunate slot, but someone has to go first. A heavy sledge setting, and weights on the rear (from past experience) made the tractor run too light on the nose. We were out of balance with the front end too high, but the sledge was pretty heavy too.

We were stopped at around 85m, and a look back at the kickboard saw a mountain of dirt dug up by the tractor’s tyres – it was a track that would not stay down.

A reset sledge brought a second attempt, following Red Fever into the pull off against nine other tractors.

Red Fever was on the track mid-way through the pull off, following a strong run by Hobo. We put all the weights on the nose and found some extra horses, then it was down to PC to wait for the turbo boost and more rpms……

A straight pull gave a distance of 85.39m, and it looked strong too, with the old tyres working well in the loose, heavy surface. Could it be a winning distance? Zeinstra Well Done Deere went next and couldn’t make it so far, breaking a transmission at just 63.25m.

Red Alert returned to the track for its third pull and with a leaking fuel system now fixed, more weights on the nose and much more rpm, raced down the track to a distance of 86.35m. Could it be a team 1-2?

With D’nAerdvruter, You Never Know, Six Shooter, Incredible Deere and Terminator all coming up short, only the Zeinstra New Born Deere stood a chance of spoiling the Clarke Pulling Team’s two very strong runs.

With Sjors Zeinstra putting the sledge on the right-hand side, and running the line, he found some extra traction. He also found some extra distance and with a straight run, sneaked the Deere past the Clarke Team’s two Red mean machines.

Could it have been from his Puller 2000 tyres?

And so we earned 2^nd and 3^rd, putting Red Alert up from fourth, to second place in the Eurocup points championship with 45 points - just one point behind leader Zeinstra New Born Deere. With 35 points, Red Fever has now climbed up to share fifth position with the Well Done Deere.

Round three takes place in Herning, Denmark, on July 30/31^st.

RESULTS