Northwest Missouri Garden Tractor Pulling Association
General Rules 2011
Dues, Insurance, Fees, Etc:
1. There will be a Driver’s Meeting before each pull- please plan to attend.
2. Drivers need to register before the drivers meeting.
3. $11.00 per hook fee will be the same for ALL classes. (2011)
4. Payback check WILL NOT be used for entry fees.
5. Pay back: Top three (3) places in all classes.
6. Paybacks at the following pull unless you have given the secretary a self - addressed, stamped envelope to mail
the check to you.
7. Payback check from out of state pullers that are not a paid member of the NWMGTPA will be healed for 30 days if
hook is paid via check to allow for check to clear. For out for state pullers who are not
Paid members of the NWMGTPA paying hook with cash, the check will be available at the next pull or mailed within 2
weeks if SASE is provided.
8. There will be a $25.00 charge for all returned checks.
9. There is a $5.00 Insurance fee for each hook, if annual insurance has not been paid. The $5.00 insurance fee
will not count towards your annual insurance fee.
10. Association not responsible for lost checks. If you ask for a stop payment on a lost check, association is not
responsible for fee.
11. Penalty: $10.00 fee if you are not registered 15 minutes before a drivers meeting. You must
PRE-PAY TO PRE REGISTER!!!!
12. Insurance company to receive lists of officers and board members.
13. Memberships dues are due April 1 of each year --- $10.00 per member.
14. Insurance is $35.00 per tractor per year.
15. Any person who pulls with NWMGTPA must pay membership due to new rulling by insurance company.
16. Fees may be increased/decreased on the need to do so basis.
17. All tractors must be seen by tech inspector and the inspector assigns a class prior to registration.
18. To receive points for the classes you must be- a. A paid member b. Have insurance paid on the tractor for the
year. c. Must be present at the hook. d. Any conflicts will be decided by the board.
19. You have to be a paid member and attend half of pulls plus one to receive- Year end points prize or award
20. All proxy votes must be in writing on club form.
Contestant Rules:
1. Drivers will operate his/her tractor in a safe manner and in such a manner to be in full control at all time-in or out
of pit area.
2. Someone must be in the seat of any tractor as long as it is started. This includes when the tractor is started for
tuning purposes.
3. Driver must have a least one hand on the steering wheel at all times, unless shifting gears.
4. Driver must keep both feet on pegs.
5. Careless driving in the pits and along the track on either pulling tractor or pullback vehicle will not be tolerated.
Penalties for such actions are as follows:
1st Offense: Written warning.
2nd Offense: Banned for the rest of the pulling year, plus three pull in the next pulling year if less four pulls
are left in the current season.
6. Driver must stop immediately when red flag drops.
7. Driver must wear long pants and shoes for all classes. NO OPEN SHOES AT ALL WITH HOLES IN THEM.
8. If your tractor runs on alcohol. Driver must wear a fire suit.
9. Sled operator will pull kill switch if she/he feel safety is in jeopardy.
10. The first puller of each class is responsible for hooking tractor to the sled in the next class.
11. The second puller of each class is responsible for flagging the next class.
12. Last puller from each heavy class is to help load the scales.
13. All garden tractors must have a deflector shield made of at least .090 aluminum or .060 steel to extend the full
length of the engine and must be covered.
14. Exhaust must discharge vertically unless a stock type muffler is used.
15. Hood and grill must be in place on all garden tractors.
16. All clutches, flywheels, and drivelines must be shielded 1/8 steel or aluminum on clutch.
17. All pulls must start from a tight chain.
18. Loss of weights is grounds for disqualification.
19. Weights must be stationary from all movement.
20. The driver is allowed to lean forward to make adjustments.
21. Speed shifting or use of torque converters is allowed.
22. You must have a cover for the battery on starter carts.
23. No Nitrous Oxide fuel!
24. Liability for disqualification by the flagman will exist as long as you hooked to the sled.
25. If you don't pass safety/tech inspection you don't pull. Amended 2008
Protest of Disqualification:
Procedure:
1. Competitor wishing to protest a decision of an event official must; first verbally protest to the official.
2. If after hearing the official’s explanation of the disqualification, the competitor still wishes to protest he/she will be
directed to the Vice President, who will arrange a hearing of this appeal by the board of directors.
3. Directors as a group will hear the official involved and competitor’s version of events.
4. Directors will rule according to current rules and instructions given at the drivers meeting. (Non- attendance of the
meeting will NOT excuse the competitor’s from compliance of all instructions given at said meeting) It will be the
competitor’s responsibility to be knowledgeable with current rules; I.c.’ any claim of ignorance of rule will not excuse
a disqualification.
5. If no rules or instructions apply directly, the board will govern by the “spirit” of the intent of the rules and
instructions. The board will also base these decisions on fairness and impartiality.
6. If at all possible, the protest and appeal will be completed at the event of occurrence, unless parties involved
agree to postpone to later, agreeable date.
Contest Rule:
Each tractor is allowed two (2) pulls per day. Exception Open class.
A puller may have more than one tractor in the same class.
Tractor will be running when sled comes back and be ready to hook when the sled stops. If tractor fails to run driver
has options to drop to the last. Except last signed in puller of class who will come under the three minutes maximum
time to hook the tractor to the sled. Strictly enforced. False start is 75 feet from the starting line.
If the weight on the sled is changed after the first puller in the class pulls, the first puller has the option to come back
and be the first puller again or drop to fourth puller in the class. If the “first” puller drops to forth, then the second
puller become the first puller and has the option. The first puller in each class has the option to take that pull or
drop to 3rd or last position. If the first puller is disqualified on his/her tractor, he/she DOES NOT GET THE OPTION!
If the sled experiences mechanical breakage during a pull or the driver is stopped and the problem is not with driver
of his/her tractor, the driver may then drop 3 places to allow the engine to cool.
If a tractor comes down “in bound” the tractor is not disqualified. Front tire may wheelie over white
line if tractor comes down inbounds tractor is not disqualified, wheel must touch line to be disqualified.
If a puller experiences mechanical breakage and does not hook to the sled in his/her pull he/she will receive last
place points as long as: A. THE PULLER HAS PAID ENTRY FEE FOR THEIR CLASS, B. PAYBACK IS PAID TO
THE OTHER PULLER IN THE CLASS, C. THE SECETARY IS NOT INFORMED THAT THEY WANT POINTS. D.
Tractor has to be present at pull. E. Tractor must hook in light class or attempt, "Hook is not necessary if he/she
breaks and is unable to make 2nd hook." F. If tractor quits before 1st hook due to fire, mechanical breakage, or
catastrophic failure he/she gets points as long as breakage occurs at event. G. Driver and Tractor must be present
for both classes.
If a tractor is disqualified, that tractor will receive its hook and show points, but not place points.
Points are awarded as follows: 1 point to hook, 5 points to show. Place points are awarded on the following scales:
1stPLACE= 10 POINTS, 2ND PALCE = 9 POINTS, 3RD PLACE = 8 PONTS, 4TH PLACE = 7 POINTS, 5TH PLACE
= 6 POINTS, 6TH PLACE = 5 POINTS, 7TH PLACE = 4 POINTS, 8TH PLACE = 3 POINTS, 9TH
PLACE = 2 POINTS, 10TH PLACE = 1 POINT
How to solve a tie breaker at the end of the year: To break a tie at the end of the year, the secretary will go back in
the points to see if either party had any disqualification’s ,If there are no disqualifications the person who had the
most 1st places finishes will be determined the winner. If this causes another tie, we will keep going down the same
system until we find our winner.
Track length is 300 feet long and 20 feet wide minimum. 10% of the length of the track is reserved for shut down.
At the weight-ins you are allowed only 2 pounds over, and you must be sitting on the seat while weighing in.
If tractor is braked by sled operator, the pull is measured at that point.
Measurement will come from the laser at the beginning of the track or other measuring device as seen fit by
NWMGTA officers and board members.
There will be one flag person.
Two people per tractor will be allowed in the gate at the pull without paying. Any question, contact an officer or
board member.
Points will go to the tractor, not the driver.
If a tractor pulls in a class, the tractor gets the points in the class.
Fire extinguisher must be within reach of the driver 1 ½ Lbs, dry chemical or 1 Lb Halon.
If a tractor in any class is questionable (not covered in the rules) a meeting of the officers and board members will
be called to determine if said tractor can compete and in which class it should be competing in. Once the class is
determined, the members of that class must approve the tractor competing in their class. (Example: A V-6 pulling in
a 4 cylinder class must be approved by all members of the 4-cylinder class.)
Driver must remain in the seat at all times.
Judges decisions are final.
. No alcohol consumption before or during the participating pulling events! Penalty just to the puller and not the
tractor. He/she will not be allowed to pull that day if caught.
Class rules are voted on by the pullers of that class. ( Example: Stock votes on stock rules) One vote per tractor.
If a rule is not working or is in conflict, it may be reviewed and voted on, or deleted.
A consent form is required for the participation of minors. ( Any one under the age of 18 at the time of pull) Wherein
parents assume liability.
All tractors must weigh in right before they pull and will stay in the pit area until their turn to pull. Once they have
pulled their tractor, it is not allowed back to the scales and/or pit area until it is time for their class to pull again.
No super tuning besides the pit area.
Each puller is on the honor system when they weigh in. The association will do random checks at anytime when they
see fit.
No use of tobacco products on the track, while flagging or driving.
General Tractor rules:
Stabilizer / Bumper bar Diagram on Last Page
All tractors must have sufficient device to prevent the tractor from turning over. Either skid plates or dolly wheels
must be used-one on each side of the drawbar. Wheels must be at least 4” diameter, 1”wide. Skid plates must be at
least 5” from the back edge of the rear tire. The bottom of the wheel or skid plate must not be more than 5”above
the ground. No part of the wheelie bar device should interfere with the sled chain.
Stabilizer/bumper bars. When using wheels, the center of the wheel must be 5” behind the face of the tire. (Wheel
size --4” diameter X 1“) vertical bumper bar must be even with or behind the back face of the wheel. (Skid pads
should be 2” wide X 3” long.)
Wheelie bar rule to be STRICTLY ENFORCED!
Maximum tire size is 26 X 12 X 12. (Except Open class-maximum tire 31 X 15.5 X 15.) No dual, chains, or studded
tires allowed. Turbines and V-8’s allowed to run in open class. V-8’s can only use maximum tire size 26 X 12 X 12.
Maximum length of the tractor and is 8 feet measured from the center of the rear axle and forward.
All tractors must have working kill switch fastened to the tractor in such a way that it does not interfere with weights
or sled hitching device.
Draw bar height will be 13” from the point of contact to the ground.
Hook point in drawbar must be a minimum of 1 ½ “and maximum of 2” in diameter of hole made of at least 3/8”
plate material, and hole must not be more than ¾” of and inch forward from the back edge of the hitching device. No
part of the hitching device will be any further forward then the center of the rear axle. The hitching device must be
stationary of all movement. An area 5” wide (2 ½” on either side of the hitching device.) and 12: high (6” above and
below the center of the hitching device.) must be free of all obstructions. Hitch hole must be a complete circle no
open backs.
Every tractor must have a workable brake.
All tractors, stock altered and up must have a steel flywheel and be shielded.
Stock tractors may have a steel flywheel and must be shielded.
All tractors must have full fenders with at least a 4” lip.
All tractors must have a cover on its points.
Notice of open gate status.
Option of town dictates as to whether there will be one weight class or two.
All exhibition pulls will be held at the end of the pull. All exhibition pulls will be charged fees plus association fee and
scale fee of $7.00. ($5.00 for insurance and $2.50 for association.) Regardless of the insurance on an individual
tractor is already paid.
Option of town as to whether there will be an out of the yard stock class.
Insurance fees plus association fee and scale fee must be paid for the yard stock tractors.
Stock clutch shields should not be allowed in any other class other than stock.
No rear weights can stick out past the plane of the rear wheels. STRICTLY ENFORCED.
21. Rules are in effect when puller/driver pulls on to grounds of pull event.
22. 2/3 of the board members must be present for any decision to take place.
23. Any tractor may pull in a class above as long as they meet the requirements of that class.
24 Once rules are set at the yearly meeting, rules can not be changed during that years pulling season. ONLY
safety issues would warrant change during the pulling season.
25. If a tractor is questionable a one pull grace may/ will be allowed while corrections are made this does not
include safety issues, this is not one pull per year its per lifetime judges decisions are final.
25 If you don't pass safety/tech inspection you don't pull.
26. Must have spherical rod ends on all steering linking, all tractors by 2010 pulling season. This excludes the stock
class.
CLASS RULES
Stock Single Cylinder and 2 Cylinders:
Age limit on class participation: 5 years old, physically capable of being in full control of their tractor at all times
unassisted. Anyone who has participated in the class in the past is exempt from this rule.
Light weight class: 950lb Heavy weight class: 1050lbs.
Engine 18 horsepower and under. Engine must have stock stroke.
Stock parts only.
No porting, polishing, headwork, cam grinding and/or cam twisting.
May mill heads as long as the combustion ring is present and valve area is not changed.
May run stock exhaust or straight pipe.
Stock pin height. Stock rod may be inserted.
NO after market rods.
Stock head.
Stock frame (OEM frame). You CAN NOT move either the front axle from stock position or rear axle from the stock
position. The engine MUST be in OEM position relative to front axle.
Non-stock grills are allowed.
Helmets optional. Fire extinguishers are mandatory. Enclosed shoes and mandatory. Sandals or holes in shoes
anywhere are not allowed.
Stock production, non-altered cams only. Maximum for 2 cylinders is 48 cubic inches, and 38 cubic inches for single
cylinder.
“Locked” or “Live” rear axles are allowed.
Fuel must be gasoline only. (.750 specific gravity maximum.)
May change gears and use heavy-duty clutches.
Electric fuel pumps are allowed. Amended 2008
All tractors must be equipped with a dead man throttle.
Stock production, no-altered cams. Maximum displacements not exceed .30 over bore.
Engine 20 horsepower and under no parts allowed in engine bigger than 20 h.p. All parts must be and under must
meet OEM specs.
Open RPM’s.
Stock class will be divided into Single cylinder and two cylinders.
Stock Altered:
Age limit on class participation: 9 years old physically capable of being in full control of their tractor at all times
unassisted. Anyone who has participated in this class in the past is exempt from this rule.
Light weight class: 950lbs Heavy weigh class: 1050 lbs.
Frames standard. Frames must retain stock length.
Can move front axles.
Super carburetors allowed (1.2 Ventura maximum) No boat carburetors allowed. Carburetor adjustment screw can
be moved from factory position.
May use stand off, velocity stacks, buffer values, to be ported and polished, must be stock stroke, must use stock
appearing head.
Reworked, stock appearing carburetors allowed--- 1.2 Ventura maximum.
Maximum bore is .060 over, plus .020 cleanup.
Engine can be no larger than 37.44 cubic inches.
Can use electric fuel pump and regulator.
May use cheater cams up to .385 cubic maximum lift.
Fuel must be gasoline or alcohol.
Fire extinguishers are mandatory. Helmets and fire suits are mandatory with alcohol.
All tractors must be equipped with dead man throttle.
All newly built tractors must run NQS stock altered rules, except those previously ran in the class.
NQS STOCK ALTERED RULES
B.) Single cylinder four cycle flathead engines only.
C.) Engine blocks must have an OEM stock appearance.
D.) Engines must be factory productions or their OEM
Replacement with factory deck height.
E.) Stock Head bolt pattern =>stock head gasket must
fit over studs or bolts.
F.) Stock Head bolt location and head bolt size.
G.) Maximum crankshaft stroke 3.25”
H.) Maximum engine bore 3.780”
I.) 36.5000 cubic inch limit
J.) Maximum engine valve size 1.380”
K.) Maximum engine valve lift .330”
L.) Maximum carburetor venturi size 1.00”, no air
entering after 1.00” restriction, venturi must be round in
shape.
M.) Carburetor must be mounted to the engine with no
more than 1” spacer
N.) No reverse port engines allowed, carburetor must
go to the original intake port.
O.) Carburetor must be a stock appearing Kohler-type
P.) Billet heads permitted
Q.) Porting and polishing allowed
R.) No external welding or external modifications allowed
S.) All thread through finned area is acceptable
T.) Welding permitted in crankcase area of the block
for repair.
U.) Tractors must use stock garden tractor frames.
Super Stock:
Age limit on class participation: 9 years old and physically capable of being in full control of their tractor at all times
unassisted. Anyone who has participated in this class in the past is exempt from this rule.
Light weight class : 1000 lbs Heavy weight class 1050 lbs
Can use bigger valves, be ported and polished with relived exhaust, can use after market cam shafts, intake,
standoffs, and velocity stacks, after market rod, piston and head.
Bore .060 over .020 cleanup and overhauling. ( 16 HP kohler)
Carburetor limitations: 1.2 Ventura maximum, no variance.
Super carb, boat carb. No motorcycle or snowmobile carbs.
Engine can no larger than 37.44 cubic inches,
Racing gas with maximum of .750 specific gravity allowed.
Can use electric fuel pumps. No compressed fuel. Can run on alcohol.
Stock Stroke crankshafts.
After market blocks are allowed as long as they confirm to the rules of this class.
Fire extinguishers and helmets are mandatory. Fire suits mandatory with alcohol tractor only.
All tractors must be equipped with dead man throttle.
All 30 cubes will run in the super stock if there is less than 3. If 3 or more they will have their own class..
Modified:
Age limit on class participation: 12 years old and physically capable of being in full control of their tractor at all times
unassisted. Anyone who participated in this class in the past is exempt from this rule.
Light weight class: 1000 lbs Heavy weight class: 1050 lbs.
Can move front axles.
Engine can be no larger that 50.5 cubic inches, 828 cc’s
Open naturally aspirated induction with a limit if 1.20 inch Ventura on dual stock appearing carbs.
Fuel alcohol or gas. 750 specific gravity, no nitro mix.
Helmets, fire suits and fire extinguishers mandatory.
All tractors must be equipped with dead man throttle.
Additional 48 ci rules
9. 48 ci class must use stock blocks only, no aftermarket.
10. 48 ci class may run nitro.
Motorcycles 725 cc’s and under:
Age limit on class participation: 10 years old and physically capable of being in full control of their tractor at all times
unassisted. Anyone who has participated in this class in the past is exempt from this rule.
Light weight class: 1100 lbs Heavy weight class: 1200 lbs
Helmets and fire extinguishers are mandatory.
Fuel: open anything
Fire suits mandatory with alcohol fuel.
Naturally aspirated engines only.
Tractors must have hood to cover the width of the frame from the dash to the grill.
All tractors must be equipped with dead man throttle.
No snowmobile motors allowed in this class.
No centrifugal clutches on Motor Cycle engines
Snowmobiles 0- 705 cc‘s:
Age limit in class participation: 10 years old physically capable of being in full control of their tractor at all times
unassisted. Anyone who has participated in this class in the past is exempt from this rule.
Light weight class: 1100 lbs Heavy weight class: 1200 lbs
Helmets and fire extinguishers mandatory.
Fuel: open, anything.
Fire suit are mandatory when using alcohol.
Tractor must have a hood from dash to the grill.
All tractors must be equipped with a dead man throttle.
Naturally aspirated engines only.
Motorcycles 725 cc’s and up:
Age limit on this class participation: 10 years old and physically capable of being on full control of their tractor at all
times unassisted.
Light weight class: 1300 lbs Heavy weight 1350 lbs
Helmets and fire extinguishers are mandatory.
Fuel: Open, anything.
Naturally aspirated engines only.
Fire suits are mandatory when using alcohol.
Tractors must have hood to cover the width of the frame from the dash to the grill.
Snowmobiles can pull in this class but can only have one engine, no multiple engines.
All tractors must be equipped with dead man throttle.
No centrifugal clutches on Motor Cycle engines
Four Cylinder:
Age limit on class participation: 13 years old and physically capable of being in full control of their tractor at all times
unassisted. Anyone who has participated in this class in the past is exempt from this rule.
Light Weight Class 1350 lbs. Heavy Weight Class 1450 lbs.
Must have lockout device to keep tractor from starting in gear.
Must have either a scatter blanket or minimum 3/8 inch steel covering over bell housing, unless SFI certified. U-
joints should also be shielded
Allow turbo or blower motors.
No cc’s Limit with naturally aspirated engines.
Limit cc’s to 2500 with turbo and blower motors.
No multiple engines in 4 cylinder class.
Helmets and fire extinguishers are mandatory, fire suits are mandatory when using alcohol.
All tractors must be equipped with Dead Man Throttle
V-8 Class:
Age limit on class participation: 17 years old and physically capable of being in full control of their tractor at all times
unassisted.
Light Weight Class: 1550 lbs. Heavy Weight Class: 1650 lbs.
Must have lock out device to keep tractor from starting in gear.
Must have either a scatter blanket or a minimum or 3/8 inch steel covering over bell housing, unless SFI certified.
No cc limit, small block only! No blower/turbo, naturally aspirated only!
Helmets and fire extinguishers are mandatory. Fire suits are mandatory when using alcohol.
All tractors must be equipped with Dead Man Throttle
Rear tire size is 26 x 12 x 12.
Fuel open. No Nitrous Oxide Fuel.
Hitch-draw bar height is 13” inches.
Draw bar- 1inch plate steel minimum at 1½ inch and maximum of 2 inch diameter hole. 1 inch from back edge of the
drawbar with 3/8 minimum cable around the diameter of the hold. The hitching device must be stationary of all
movement- STRICTLY ENFORCED!
Harmonic balancers-minimum 1 inch plate 360 degrees around ¼ material with one 1 x¼ inch material across face
or minimum of four 1 x ¼ tabs.
U-Joints and driveline must be shielded with minimum 1 inch plate 360 degrees around with a minimum of ¼ material
attached by two points.
Classis-over all width 60 inches including tire length.
Skid plate 2 x 4 inch plate material 1/8 minimum attached to from in two points, one on each side within 6 inch front
tire.
15. Weight may be increased to cover heavy visiting tractors, must be bare tractor no weights, may increase 100
lbs max.
Open Class:
15 inch tire max in open class. V8’s see General Tire page ___
Helmets and Fire extinguishers are mandatory.
Fire suits are mandatory with alcohol.
All tractors must be equipped with Dead Man Throttle
Weight limit: 1550 lbs.