By Kate Miller, Record Managing Editor
The Missouri Invitational Truck Pull is Saturday, May 20, at Warrenton Fairgrounds, 615 Fairgrounds Road in Warrenton.The event is open to the public beginning at 4 p.m. and the truck pull begins at 6 p.m.What makes this event unique is “drivers come by invitation and it’s a bracket competition,” said Jay Staiger, director of Missouri Invitational Truck Pull.At the event, 37 trucks will take 52 passes down the track pulling a sled that distributes weight from lighter to heavier. The trucks, which have after-market engines, struggle to pull the sled about 300 feet down the track.“The weight box moves up and the weight gets transferred,” said Staiger. “It increases friction until the vehicle pulls down or spins out. That distance is measured with a laser.”Competition trucks run on gas or diesel fuel and are not street legal. They are brought to events by trailer.Staiger said the engines on these machines are 950 to 1,150 horsepower. To compare, the horsepower of Ford F-150 model trucks is 282 to 450.The concept of truck pulling dates back to the early days of county fairs.“It came from the idea of ‘My team of horses is stronger than your team of horses,’” Staiger said.The first competitions were horses pulling sleds. Much later, it evolved into pulling with tractors and customized trucks.Staiger is adding his own changes with the Missouri Invitation Truck Pull.“These 37 trucks are by invitation only,” he said. “It’s not me and 36 of my buddies, it’s the best of the best from competitions around the state.“People can see all of these trucks pull in Missouri at different fairs and events but not all of them can be seen at one time,” said Staiger. “They will at this event.”While brackets are used in other sports, they are not used in other pulling events.“We are the only bracket-style pulling competition in the U.S.” he said. “Only three trucks are pulling against each other. The trucks are advancing to the next runs.”There is a winner about every 15 minutes.Staiger said some people will want to come early to meet drivers and see the trucks. Other activities include vendor and information booths, sponsor displays, music, inflatables for kids and a concession stand for snack purchases. This is the first time the event will be held in Warrenton and the second time it’s been held. Its inaugural event was held last year in Wentzville.“We were at standing room only. We elected to move to a larger facility to accommodate more spectators,” said Staiger.It’s a family event and extremely loud. Staiger recommends wearing ear plugs. Children in particular should wear them, he said.The live bracket drawing is at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6 to 12 and children 5 and under get in free.Anyone who buys tickets in person at Lincoln Power Sports, 100 Raceway Park Drive in Moscow Mills, will receive a 20 percent discount.A portion of the proceeds will go to the Warren County Fair Board. For more information, visit www.missouripull.com.The Missouri Invitational Truck Pull comes to Warrenton Fairgrounds Saturday, May 20. Here is Warren County resident Keith Witt driving his truck, Cross Wired, at another truck pull competition. Submitted photo.
