The Versailles Republican Sports
July 24, 2008

Ripley County 4-H Fair, "Where country comes to town"

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

The 2008 Ripley County Fair Antique Tractor Pull slated as the opening nights granstand event got underway only to find the event shortened due to an undesired storm. Nevertheless the pullers and spectators were able to observe approximately two-thirds of the show before being shut down by the weather.
The Monday night's bigger tractors show was held in front of the grandstand once again with threatening weather, but got off without being stopped.
The pull began with the 11,000#/4MPH class. Kyle Holland won the class with a pull of 375.04'. Second place was taken by Brett Tinker on an Oliver 1750 with a pull of 343.18' and third was captured by Roger Linville on his John Deere with a pull of 334.24'. Other pulls in the class were Roger Linville on a 4020JD @ 315.95', Harry Waller @ 305.36', Brett Tinker on his 1750 Oliver @ 302.98', Trent Diekman on a 4020JD @ 264.29' with a second pull of 253.99'.
The 11,000#/6MPH class was won by Susan Thomas on a 1566 IH with a distance of 302.29'. Second place was won by Don Murphy on a 986 IH with a distance of 296.40'. Kyle Holland pulled his JD4430 to a distance of 288.56', David Shireman on a 1466IH pulled for 270.18' and Marcus Linkey took his 1466IH to a distance of 257.98'.
The 11,000#/8MPH class with 4 entries was won by David Shireman on his 1466IH with a distance of 304.82' narrowly edging out Susan Thomas with her pull of 303.76'. Marcus Linkey on an IH1466 pulled to a distance of 300.07' and John Suhre took his 4010 John Deere to a distance of 281.13'.
Rounding out the 11,000# pulls with the open class, Don Murphy drove his 986IH to the top with a distance pulled of 285.16'. Randy Gault took his 1466IH to a distance of 279.11'. John Suhre's 4010JD pull ended @ 272.16' with Marcus Linkey pulling the 1466IH for 233.02'.
In 13,000#/4MPH action, seven pulls were entered. Michael Hedger won the class with a distance of 262.45'. Kyle Holland took his 4430JD to a second place finish @ 252.75'. Third place was taken by Brett Tinker on a 1750 Oliver @ 247.00'. Also pulling were Chris Linville on his 4320JD @ 242.18', Roger Linville on a 4320JD for a distance of 241.93', Harry Waller on a 1750 Oliver to a distance of 222.84' and Derek Wood on a MF1135 for 204.27'.
Chris Linville claimed the first spot in the 13,000#/6MPH class on his 4520JD. Steve Purlee took second on a 1466IH @ 300.42. Don Murphy's pull of 293.00' on his 986IH earned a third place finish. Other results in the class were Kyle Holland on a JD4430 @ 280.85', Michael Hedger @ 277.38', Randy Gault on a 1466IH @ 273.55', Jason Barhorst' pull was for 257.33' on a 1066IH, Marcus Linkey pulled for 251.26 on a 1466IH, Matt Holland pulled for 239.20' on a AC220, Susan Thomas pulled for 231.00', Derek Wood took his 1135MF to a distance of 162.05 and Tim Rell was DQ'd on his 255Oliver on a speed violation.
Chris Linville claimed first spot in the 13,000#/8MPH pull on his 4520JD with a pull of 314.40'. Tim Rell took his 2255 Oliver for a distance of 303.76' to earn second place. Don Murphy pulled for 295.58 on his 986IH. Laura Purlee took her 1466IH to a distance of 289.73'. Other pulls in the class were Dennis Wilson @ 265.18' on his 6030, Randy Gault @ 263.09 on his 1466IH, Phillip Douglas @ 262.55' on his JD5020, Michael Hedger 258.25', Marcus Linkey 254.96' on 1466IH, Michael Berg 254.51', Matt Holland 246.69 on his AC220 and Susan Thomas rounded out the field of entries.
Tim Rell won the 13,000# open class with a pull of 306.13 on his 2255OLiver. Don Murphy captured second place with a pull of 303.40' on his 986IH with third taken by the 301.40' pull by David Shireman on his 1466IH. Other pulls in the class included Phillip Douglas on a 5020JD @ 261.80', Marcus Linkey @ 260.15 on an IH1466, Matt Holland went 239.80' on his AC220, Kyle Holland pulled for 236.07' and Evan Wilson took the 6030 for 231.65' to win up the class.
The 15,000#/6MPH class was won by Tim Rell on his 2255Oliver with a pull of 307.53. Laura Purlee pulled to 290.44' on her 1466IH, Jason Barhorst went for 257.87' and Matt Holland took his AC220 for 253.47'.
Tim Rell pulled his 2255Oliver to a first place finish in the 15,000#/8MPH class with a distance of 307.51'. Phillip Douglas followed @ 299.24' on the JD5020. Steve Purlee @ 296.67 on the IH1466 and Dennis Wilson @ 295.91' rounded out the field.
Phillip Douglas pulled his 5020JD to a distance of 302.42 to claim victory in the 15,000# open class. Steve Purlee was second @ 291.09' on his 1466IH. Bill Wilson on a 6030 pulled to 263.82' with Jason Barhorst taking the 1066IH to a distance of 260.64'.
The final class at 18,000#/4MPH was a family affair with Chris Linville and his father Roger making up the competition. Chris won with a pull of 304.84' on his JD4630. Roger with two hook ups on his JD4440 pulled for distances of 287.87 and 263.16.