Story and Photos By Jerry Roberts

     Not the best of days, but yet not the worst. Mother Nature gave out a few curve balls in the form of rain for the annual Langford National Tractor Pull Aug. 3, but the constant upkeeping effort by the grounds crew made for a very successful day. The rain didn't keep hundreds of spectators from enjoying a fantastic show of brute muscle machines roaring down the track. The Langford National Tractor Pull has become well known in the Western New York area as one of the best in the nation.

     Tractors of all shapes, sizes and power raced down the track with the weight sled in tow. There were several full pulls which made for some exciting pull-offs. As the day progressed and the crowds grew, the cheering and applause became louder and louder.

     First-place drivers of the pull are as follows: Mark Gabel, 6500 Pro-Farm class; Chris Preischel, 6500 Pro-Farm; Larry Preischel, 9500 Pro-Farm; Larry Preischel, 10,500 Pro-Farm; David Everman, Heavy Super Farm Tractor (Everman won both classes); Ron Heim and Bill Leverentz, 2-Wheel Drive Trucks; Hans Boxler and Henry Everman, Super Stock Tractors; Joe Fintak and Robert Fintak Jr., Modified Tractors.

     All in all, the Langford Annual National Tractor Pull was a huge success, and for a small rural town in Western New York this event should be around for quite some time.