RCSoup was disappointed in not being able to attend this event, but Darren Mealy, the event’s organizer was kind enough to let us post this recap. We will definitely try to make it out next year if we can! It’s R/C Monster Truck racing and R/C Truck and Tractor Pulling all in one.

The 24th Annual Winter Super Pull is now in the history books. Two hundred twenty-six (226) entries came to Franklin, Pennsylvania on February 25, 2012 from six (6) different states and Canada for a two day tractor pull and monster truck race. Even though the electric was knocked out by a severe wind storm on Friday, it did not dampen the spirits of the County Line RC Pullers set-up crew who worked in the dark to finish getting things ready for the event.

On Saturday, the morning started with drivers’ meetings and show ‘n shine concourse judging. Jake Haulman and Jose Carattini won Concours de Elegance trophies for their “Field Dressed” John Deere Pro Stock tractor and hand painted skull crusher monster truck body respectively. Once we paid honor to the USA and Canada, it was time start the competition.

The dirt and carpet pullers each got two (2) hooks on Saturday. Everyone was searching for the elusive FULL PULL. The dirt track sleds seemed to be weighted perfect as only a hand full of drivers were able to make the full 30 foot pull. The carpet sleds might have been a little light because every class would be headed toward a pull off on Sunday.

On the racing side, each truck took to the track for 18 runs against the clock in side by side racing action. This timed racing highlighted what some of the best drivers the NR/CTPA and County Line have to offer. Some of the day’s winners included Nick Burns who won the Novice class, Mike Eckenrode who took first in the Sport Modified Monster Truck class and Chad Buckland who led the infamous 4WD Modified Monster Truck class.

As the morning got rolling on Sunday, County Line handed out a few of their highly anticipated gag awards. This year’s honorees included Richard Triftshouser, Ed Finchum, Scott Taylor, and Rob Kinch.

Sunday morning, the pulling division went right into their third and final round before the pull- offs. This was each puller’s last chance at going the 30 foot distance. The dirt track proved to be tough as the sleds stopped all but five (5) classes from reaching a pull off. After the action was over, the big winners on dirt for the weekend were Jake Haulman winning the Prostock and Super Stock tractor classes, Mark Damewood taking first place in the Garden Tractor, the 4WD Driveshaft and the 10 lb 2WD Nitro truck classes. Derrick Pero topped the 2WD Pro Mod truck class, Ed Finchum won the Light Super Stock Tractor class and Caden Mealy came out on top of the 12 lb 4WD truck class.

With the majority of the carpet pullers already qualified for the pull-offs, the third round proved to be a testing round. In the pull-offs, seven (7) carpet Diggers battled it out in a showdown that ended in a double pull off between Brianna Rodgers, Bill Shorney and Colleen Schwartz. Once the smoke cleared, Brianna Rodgers came out on top putting 2 feet on the rest of the field. The other showcase pull-off was the Open II class. This class started out by pulling 250 lbs but, in the pull-off round, Danny Nine, Glen Singleton and Gene Nine, each hooked to 600 lbs. Glen Singleton stayed hooked to the track the longest and claimed first place.

While all of the awesome pulling action was taking place on one side of the hall, the monster truck and tuff truck racers were competing in the first ever best-of-three elimination race. The field of trucks were divided into four (4) brackets consisting of the Mealy Motorsports Novice bracket, the Big Dog R/C Tuff Truck bracket, the Traxxas Independent Suspension bracket and the Tamiya Monster Truck bracket. As each truck put in their qualifying times, it became obvious that there would be some great side-by-side racing to come.

In the Tamiya Monster Truck bracket, the best-of-three scenario came into play a few times and most notably in a race between Scott Taylor and Derrick Pero in which the race ended in a dead heat with identical times. As trucks were eliminated, the tension got higher and the racing got more exciting with the final two (2) competitors in each bracket delivering some fantastic races. First, Mike Eckenrode got edged out by Chad Buckland in the Tamiya Monster Truck bracket.

Next, the Mealy Motorsports Novice bracket came down to best friends, Nick Burns and Kyle Wingard, racing each other. Nick Burns took the win. The third bracket hitting the track was the Big Dog R/C Tuff Truck bracket. Once again, Mike Eckenrode made it to the finals, but this time he was able to get the best of local driver Scott McCall. Finally, in the Traxxas Independent Suspension bracket, Mike Eckenrode rose to the occasion to take out Jose Carattini.

The final event of the weekend was the Monster Truck Freestyle competition. The drivers left everything on the track with some big air, slap wheelies and great saves. Cierra Maimone’s winning run showcased a huge back flip and monster speed. Mike Eckenrode proved that you can teach an old dog new tricks when he came in second place with a spectacular and well thought out run. The third place winner was Ethan Eckenrode who pushed past Caden Mealy in a tie breaking run off.

The 2012 Super Pull proved to be another outstanding event. Thanks to the generous contributions of the event sponsors, each driver took home some great door prizes. A big thanks goes out to Big Dog R/C, A Main Hobbies, Boca Bearing, Pro-Line Racing, Satellite City, Engle Manufacturing, Traxxas, CowRC, Novak, Hobbico, The Joe Show, Horizon Hobby, Tamiya, Eric Krush, Phil’s Hobby Shop, Castle Creations, Tower Hobbies, Viking Tool & Gage, Bigfoot, RC-Lights, Laurie’s Embroidery, Mo Aschkenas, Tekin, Parma, CCM Racing, Samson Monster Truck Racing, Mealy Motorsports, RC Soup, Dremel, Speedway Graphics, the Pulloff.com and Haulman Manufacturing.

Now that this year’s event has come to a close, preparations are being made for the 25th Annual Winter Super Pull set for February of 2013. County Line would like to extend an invitation to all RC enthusiasts to come out and help us celebrate this longest running remote control truck and tractor pull and monster truck race.

For more information about County Line RC Pullers’ Winter Super Pull or monthly club events in northwestern Pennsylvania, please visit www.countylinerc.org or contact Darren Mealy at dlmealy@windstream.net.

For some other unique coverage of this event, check out this episode of the Joe Show!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu9rnBj0A38[/youtube]