Quambatook Tractor Pull

Quambatook Tractor Pull OFFICIAL PAGE. EASTER SATURDAY EVERY YEAR. Est. 1977
The home of tractor pulling in Australia. Australia's first permanent tractor pulling complex.
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The first Australian Tractor Pull was held at the Elmore Field Days (Victoria) in 1976. The following year saw Tractor Pulling begin in the Victorian rural town of Quambatook. It has developed over the years into a highly competitive and technical sport, where the difference between first and last place may be as small as one or two metres. Often the top tractors are separated by mere centimetres. The Australian Tractor Pullers Association (ATPA) is a non-profit organisation that governs Tractor Pulling in Australia. Our events (Tractor Pulls) are held in conjunction with a promoter. This is often a local school, sporting, service or community club (for example; Apex, Rotary, Lions, Netball, Cricket, Football) who use the event as a fundraiser. Tractor Pulls are held in locations throughout Australia, predominantly in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. In the west the Western Australian Tractor Pullers Association (WATPA) runs events and is affiliated with the ATPA. The ATPA is focused on actively promoting this spectacular sport and working with communities to not only establish a unique annual event, but more importantly to assist communities financially through the influx of spectators, sponsors and promotion. The tractors are divided into classes and comply with either "Limited" or "Open" rules. The classes are Open Modified, Super Modified, Limited Modified, Open Mini Modified, Mini Modified, Pro Stock (diesel) and Two Wheel Drive Trucks. The distinction between classes is determined by the overall maximum weight, engine modifications, fuels and physical size. Competition is open to both women and men, the only restriction being that competitors must at least hold a current Learner Driver’s Permit. It sometimes comes down to members of the same family competing for the trophies. The Junior Modified Pulling Association conducts an "introductory" class for 8- to 16-year-olds to develop driving, mechanical and competitive skills. The Modified Mowers pull their own smaller version of the big sled. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tractor_pulling)

14/09/2026

My favourite version: “Fast & Furious 350: Quambatook edition” 😂

Thanks to Madhouse tractor pull team for the idea. We couldn’t have picked a better way of describing it!
1990
350 Chev
Mini Modified
Rival

07/09/2026

REMEMBERING BOB BLACKWELL

The Quambatook Tractor Pull Association was deeply saddened to learn that Bob Blackwell passed away on 26 August 2026.

Bob was involved in tractor pulling for more than two decades and was well known for the years he spent pulling with Rotary Hoe. For many spectators and fellow competitors, Bob and that unmistakable tractor will always be remembered together.

The story of Rotary Ho, later renamed Rotary Hoe, began with Paul and Miles Higgins, rotary experts from Cranbourne, who originally built the tractor. David Small later purchased it from them before Bob bought it from David and began his own chapter with this unique machine.

Powered by two Mazda 13B rotary engines, Rotary Hoe brought a sound to the track that was completely different from the V8s surrounding it. Its high-revving rotary scream made it instantly recognisable, often heard before it was seen.

Bob travelled to tractor pulls along Australia’s eastern seaboard and brought Rotary Hoe to Quambatook on many occasions. Together, they became a memorable part of Australian tractor-pulling history.

We have put together this video featuring some of Bob and Rotary Hoe’s runs at Quambatook. It gives us an opportunity to remember not only an unforgettable tractor and its unmistakable sound, but more importantly, the man behind the wheel.

We hope this footage brings back some special memories for Bob’s family, friends and everyone who knew him through the tractor pulling community.

On behalf of everyone at the Quambatook Tractor Pull Association, we send our deepest condolences to Bob’s family and friends during this very difficult time.

Rest easy, Bob. Thank you for the memories and for the many years you shared with the tractor pulling community. ❤️

06/09/2026

Put your wheel up in the air like you just don't care.

Apparently that is how Rival was driven in 1990.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! 🚜As Father’s Day draws to a close, we hope all the dads, grandfathers and father figures out there h...
06/09/2026

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! 🚜

As Father’s Day draws to a close, we hope all the dads, grandfathers and father figures out there have enjoyed a wonderful day with the people who matter most. 🚜

The Quambatook Tractor Pull has always been an event shared through the generations. Parents who first came along as children now return with children and grandchildren of their own, passing down the excitement, traditions and memories that make our event so special.

Whether it’s watching from beside the track, helping in the pits or volunteering behind the scenes, tractor pulling has a special way of bringing families together.

Happy Father’s Day from everyone at the Quambatook Tractor Pull Association!

Who introduced you to tractor pulling? 👇


celebrating all the dads, grandfathers and father figures who share their love of tractor pulling with the next generation.

The Quambatook Tractor Pull has always been an event shared through the generations. Parents who once attended as children now bring along children and grandchildren of their own, passing down the excitement, traditions and memories that make our event so special.

Whether it’s their first tractor pull or one of many, we love seeing families enjoying the event together and creating memories that will hopefully last a lifetime.

Happy Father’s Day from everyone at the Quambatook Tractor Pull Association. We hope you’re enjoying a great day with the people who matter most.

Who introduced you to tractor pulling? 👇

05/09/2026

🚜 SEPTEMBER COVER PHOTO WINNER – RIVAL 🚜

By just FOUR votes, Rival has taken out our September cover photo poll!

Built by Quambatook mechanic Keith Elliott, Rival originally ran a 350 Chev through a Powerglide transmission, with a Ford 9-inch diff. An Australian Tractor Pullers Association registration list from the 1983/84 season records it as a Mini Modified owned by K & G Elliott.

As Rival’s engine combinations evolved, it also moved through the classes. It started as a Limited Mini Modified, went on to become a Super Mini Modified and now competes in the Open Mini Modified class.

With Mervyn Elliott behind the wheel at Quambatook, Rival won the 750 kg class, placed third in the 850 kg class and claimed the Mini Modified Aggregate. One newspaper summed it up perfectly:

“Another triumph for mechanic Keith Elliott…”

Rival’s mechanical history is also connected to Bizzee B. Rival’s original engine was fitted to Bizzee B, along with the chrome pipes that remain on Bizzee B today.

Robbie Ward, whose family now owns Bizzee B, confirmed:

“We rebuilt the engine when we got it but the block and heads are the same as when we got it from Gov.”

Anyway, back to Rival.

When Rival was later acquired by the Betson family, it had no engine or transmission. Gordon Betson built a 350 Chev using parts they had available.

Since then, Rival has run four different engine combinations:

1. 350 Chev
2. Twin-turbo 350
3. Injected 350 Chev
4. Stroked 400, which it runs today

Rival last ran at Quambatook in 2018. It returned at the 2026 Australian Championships and marked its comeback by winning the Open Mini B 925 kg class.

More than 40 years after appearing in those early records, Rival is still pulling, still winning and now taking pride of place as our September cover photo! 🏆

Thank you to everyone who voted.

We’ll be sharing more stories like Rival’s as we lead up to celebrating 50 years since tractor pulling began in Quambatook next Easter Saturday, 27 March 2027.

02/09/2026

WHERE ARE THEY NOW WEDNESDAY 🚗💥

In 1999, the Quambatook Tractor Pull Association decided to try something a little different.

Alongside the Australian Championships held on Easter Saturday, a second tractor pull was introduced in October. But this pull had a little more dirt, dust and panel damage flying around… with the introduction of a Demolition Derby!

It was something completely new for Quambatook and just as new for the committee. A number of QTPA members climbed behind the wheel of these cars and utes to show everyone how it was done.

But who were these drivers, and where are they now?

Do you recognise any of them? Tag them below or tell us what you remember about the Quambatook Demolition Derby days? More importantly, would you be interested in seeing the whole event?

Throwback Thursday 📰How’s this for a crowd… more than 5,000 people packed into Quambatook for the 1982 Australian Tracto...
27/08/2026

Throwback Thursday 📰

How’s this for a crowd… more than 5,000 people packed into Quambatook for the 1982 Australian Tractor Pulling Championships!

The sixth annual event brought plenty of noise and excitement to town, with everything from jet-powered Black Velvet and the Mann brothers’ Supaman to vintage tractors, model aeroplanes and local rider Jon Burke jumping his motorcycle through a blazing wall!

There was even a little trackside drama when the sled caught up with a Mini Modified and tore off its wheel guard. Thankfully, the driver wasn’t injured and it remained the only minor accident of the day.

A record $13,500 was taken at the gate, which would be roughly $60,000 in today’s money and was $3,500 more than the previous year. Not bad for a day out in little old Quambatook!

Unfortunately, we don’t have any footage of the 1982 tractor pull. If you have footage of the first Mini Modified tractor pull at Quambatook, or the moment this tractor “topped the sled”, as the article’s heading describes it, please get in touch with us. We’d love to see it!

Were you among the 5,000 people cheering them on in 1982? Let us know what you remember.

Article and photograph courtesy of the Northern Times, Kerang, now known as Gannawarra Times.

In 2027, our community will celebrate a massive milestone: 50 years since tractor pulling began in Quambatook!As we begi...
27/08/2026

In 2027, our community will celebrate a massive milestone: 50 years since tractor pulling began in Quambatook!

As we begin planning for this special event, we would love contributions from past members, attendees and competitors to help us celebrate and capture the nostalgia of 50 years of tractor pulling in Quambatook.

Anyone interested in joining our committee is welcome to come along to our Annual General Meeting. There’s no pressure or commitment required. You’re welcome to simply come along, hear what’s being planned and see if there’s a way you might like to be involved.

📅 Friday 11 September at 6:30pm
📍 Swan Hill Club, 5/17 McCallum Street, Swan Hill

Please RSVP to Tim on 0428 377 342 by Monday 7 September.

Address

Quambatook Tractor Pull Complex, Charlton Road
Quambatook, VIC
3540

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