Illinois Tractor Pulling History
Recognizing the need for uniform competition rules, the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association (ITPA) was organized on January 24, 1968, making it one of the oldest sanctioning bodies for truck and tractor pulling in the nation. From those humble beginnings, the ITPA has taken this vision of a level playing field and safety of the competitors and spectators to be recognized as the premier truck and tractor pulling organization in the State of Illinois, as well as the midwest. The ITPA stands ready to take the sport of truck and tractor pulling into the new millennium, and our 5th decade of organizing events.
Offering competition classes ranging from single cylinder garden tractors up through the mighty super stocks and multi engine modified tractors, the ITPA has something for every tractor pulling fan. The battle of the brands lives on today as John Deere vs. IH vs. AC and Dodge vs. Chevy vs. Ford at over 80 events throughout Illinois and neighboring states. An abundant year end points fund encourages pullers to build and maintain some of the finest pulling machinery in the land.
After numerous meetings, discussions, and a huge amount of research and investigation by the officers and directors, the ITPA has ended it’s lengthy relationship with the National Tractor Pulling Association beginning with the year 2000. Given the member’s confidence in the leadership of the ITPA, Illinois will operate as an independent state for 2000. A good working relationship with Doug Roberts and Dennis Goodwin of the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association (OTTPA) has resulted in an insurance package for members of both organizations offering excellent coverages and an affordable price. Hence, several events in Illinois will be OTTPA co-sanctioned, and pulling fans in Missouri will see more ITPA vehicles at events in the Show Me State.
The newest chapter in this alliance among several centrally located states is an organization called U.S. Pullers, Association. While the overall mission statement of this new corporation is yet to be fully determined, it is the conduit through which insurance coverages for pullers, spectators and promoters is passed.
