Silver and bronze this time for the Valtra Shell Pulling Team at the European Championships

09/14/2004

The competition was extremely tight, with victory eventually going Geert Amhouts of the Belgian Code Red Team.

“There went the victory,” commented chief engineer Mauno Ylivakeri as the accelerator cable broke on Johanna Herlevi’s tractor on pull off.

The cable broke on Johanna’s Doris tractor first time on her first pull, which still recorded 91.75 meters and again in pull off. Of the fourteen other competitors, eleven achieved full pulls. On their second attempts, Doris and Code Red made up for disappointing first pulls with impressive full pulls. Altogether 13 tractors thus made it to the pull off, although one tractor retired with engine failure.

“A lot of weight was added for the second pull. In fact, the sled was extremely heavy right form the start, which really punished tractors that spun their tires a lot, like ours,” said Pekka Herlevi.

In the pull off, all 12 competitors achieved pulls of between 63.98 and 75.05 meters. Ultimately, the difference between Johanna and the winner was just ten centimeters. Matti Herlevi and Caesar were 19 centimeters behind Johanna and Doris. Pekka Herlevi’s pull of 66.97 meters was only good enough for ninth position.

“We had a heavy thunderstorm this morning right before the competition, and another downpour right before our own event. It was really hard to get traction with the tires,” Pekka Herlevi commented.

An estimated 5000 spectators were on hand to watch the Pro Stock competition.

Results: 1) Code Red, Geert Amhouts, Belgium 74.05, 2) Doris, Johanna Herlevi, Finland 73.95, 3) Caesar, Matti Herlevi, Finland 73.76, 4) White Crow, Kees Wajer, Netherlands 71.32, 5) Blue Bambino, Niels Damgaard, Denmark 71.03, 6) Tonja Harding, Odd Erling Klingsheim, Norway 69.26, 7) Rough Justice, Martin Nicholson, Great Britain 68.59, 8) Runaway Deer, Paul Broeks, Netherlands 67.74, 9) Sigma Power, Pekka Herlevi, Finland 66.97, 10) Blue Rasch, Klaus Blank, Germany 66.48, 11) Wicky Power, Adrie van der Veeken, Netherlands 66.05, 12) Ice Bear, Mike Simmons, Great Britain 63.98, 13) John Deere, Michael Galsgaard, Denmark, full pull in first round, 14) Skipper, Steve Mason, Great Britain 95.69 in first round, 15) Super Toy, Bob Snelgrove, Great Britain 68,03 in first round.

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