Problems playing this file? See media help. Ticket and additional information available at or.Winners are determined by who can drag a pulling sled the farthest on a 300-foot dirt track sled weights range from 1,300 to 12,000 pounds.June 11 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Arena start times are noon and 6 p.m. While the Illini State Pullers hope to come back each year through 2015, Jones and Bliefnick said show contracts are year-to-year. She said the Illini State Pullers would pay $1,375 per day for the Multi-Purpose Arena and $725 a day for a trade show in the Orr Building. The Illinois Department of Agriculture also has pushed to bring more year-round uses to the state fairgrounds, said Kristi Jones, bureau chief for business services. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, as playing a key role in landing the event, said there is a “word of mouth” among shows with similar themes. “It’s one of those things, there’s not a lot of regional tractor-and-truck pulls that draw from multiple states, and they really wanted a central location,” said Gina Gemberling, director of sales for the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Tractor pulls 2015 series#
The Land of Lincoln Summer Nationals are the latest in a series of tractor, truck, car, boat and motorcycle shows scheduled in Springfield this summer. It’s too bad, but that’s the way it is,” Miller said. Some of them just can’t afford us anymore. Miller said tractor and truck pulls do not draw all that well from the immediate Springfield area, but that fans come from across the state and adjoining states, especially as some county fairs have had to cut back. State fair manager Amy Bliefnick said truck and tractor pulls put on by the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association typically fill the 4,500-seat Multi-Purpose Arena on each of three nights of competition.
Competitors are expected from throughout Illinois, as well as Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Missouri. About 150 competitors and 125 vehicles are expected for the Springfield event. There are 18 classes and cash purses totaling $40,000.īend said the popularity of tractor and truck pulls at the Illinois State Fair and at county fairs also convinced the group there is a market for the show.
This event is starting off small, and we hope it will grow,” said Bend, who is among the competitors. There are big events throughout the country. “We felt like the central location of Springfield should make this work. The inaugural Land of Lincoln Summer Nationals begins a five-summer run June 11-12 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and joins nearly 30 shows already sponsored by Illini State Pullers, organizer Doug Bend said Tuesday.Īs part of the commitment, the group also is scheduled to join an extra night of tractor pulls at the Illinois State Fair. A promoter of truck-and-tractor shows hopes to build a national event around the city of Springfield over the next five summers.
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