If you’re looking for some good family fun, look no further than Murfreesboro’s 2020 Southern Invitational Indoor Truck and Tractor Pull, going on Jan. 31–Feb. 1. This year’s event, to be held in the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, is gearing up to be quite a show.
Truck and tractor pullers will be coming from all across the United States to participate in the event. The show is slated for nine classes for different sizes and motors, ranging from Lite Limited all the way to the 11,000 Hot Farm Tractor.
Truck and tractor pulling is known as being the most powerful motorsport because of the intricacies and modifications of the vehicles’ engines. These tractors are competing against each other, going head-to-head in a fiercely competitive display of strength and endurance. Inside the arena, each tractor is hooked to a sled with immense loads of weight on them. These sleds have lasers attached to them, which communicate with lasers on the track. In turn, those lasers report the speed and distance of each vehicle. While speed is really only recorded for reference, it is the distance that counts most in competition. Several loads of sand are trucked in at the end of the track to create a mound barrier that can be breached, and if it is, it is referred to as a “full pull,” which means the tractor has completed the track. The farthest haul is the winner.
It seems pretty straightforward until you get to looking at footage of these events and realize all that goes on . . . and all that can go wrong. These engines are being placed under extreme duress, really challenging the power and potency of each machine and, at times, stressing them beyond their capacity. Therefore, while it’s not guaranteed, it’s not uncommon to see engines going up in flames at these events. Safety is accounted for, but it only adds to the thrill of the show to see just how far some are willing to go to be the best of the best.
In its 15th year, the local show is hosted by two men who have an affinity for horsepower and hauling. Joe Wamble and David Holbrook established Southern Motorsports Promotions in 2005, and have been organizing the event since its inception. Melissa Holbrook has joined in the fun alongside her husband, promoting the event and helping out on the floor’s mainstage in various capacities. All are very enthusiastic about the event and putting on an entertaining show for the spectators and competitors.
On Friday night, Jan. 31, session 1 gets underway, boasting a full lineup of tractors including Limited Lite, Diesel, Super and Hot Farm tractors. Sessions 2 and 3 get started the following day, in the afternoon and evening, respectively. It’s basically a process of elimination rounds until the remaining competitors are left to duke it out Saturday evening in the Session 3 Red Carpet Finale, going head-to-head for the glory of the title.
Tickets are $15 for the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon shows, and $20 for the Saturday main event in the evening. Children 10 and under are admitted free.
For more information, reach Joe Wamble at 731-697-3424, David Holbrook at 615-406-0382 or Melissa Holbrook at 615-809-6154, or visit southernmotorsports.net.
