Competitors preparing for the Thunder in the Pines Truck and Tractor Pulls at the Prince Albert Exhibition. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

It's in the Family

P.A. tractor pulling event last stop on Prairie Pulling League circuit

Aug 30, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Tractor pulling is in his blood.

For Joe Hoffart from Odessa Sask. competing in the Prairie Pulling League came second nature to him after his father Rod Hoffart competed in tractor pulls in the ’70s and ’80s.

“It’s a very fast-growing sport, it’s taken off tenfold since I started seven years ago,” Hoffart said. “It’s amazing how fast it has grown actually.”

On Aug. 30 and 31 at 6:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. the Prince Albert Exhibition and the Rose Garden Hospice are teaming up to bring the Canadian Tire Thunder in the Pines Truck and Tractor Pulls at the grandstand.

Hoffart gave his dad all the credit when asked why he got into the sport.

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“Dad did it back in the day and then I went to one pull and got the bug and we still had a tractor in an old barn parked so lack of a better word I’ve been hooked ever since,” Hoffart said.

Hoffart said Prince Albert is the last stop this season for the Prairie Pulling League. He added they completed 10 competitions this year in the Prairie Pulling league spread across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba.

He said winning a tractor pulling competition has everything to do with technique. It also has to do with tire pressure, not overpowering on the track, and gear selection.

“There is so many variables that’s what’s neat about it,” he said. “It’s not just about buying the biggest motor and thinking you’re going to win. There is definitely some experience that would be needed over time, which I think we’ve been lucky at on our end,” Hoffart said with a laugh.

From experience competing in the Prairie Pulling League, Hoffart said people living in the prairie provinces can relate to the event.

“It started off with farm tractors and that’s where this all stemmed from farming communities, which is where we’re based in,” Hoffart said. “That’s the appeal I think for them to see it and once they’re at the show they see how extreme the vehicles are built but it always takes place in 300 feet it’s always in front of you.”

He used to get nervous before competitions, but it’s easier now.

“I don’t have time to get nervous. Before I know it, it’s my turn and I have to run back,” Hoffart added.

All the proceeds from this weekend’s event will be going to the Rose Garden Hospice. Event Coordinator Ralph Boychuk said the Rose Garden Hospice needs to raise close to $4 million to build their new building.

“This will just be a piece of the contribution towards the building of the hospice,” Boychuk said.

Boychuk said he was told the last tractor pulling event that was held here happened in the mid-80s.

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ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Iangustafson12