Aside from workers and vendors, the midway and most of the grounds were practically deserted on the final day of what may be remembered as the hottest Freeborn County Fair on record.

Tuesday, August 07, 2001

Aside from workers and vendors, the midway and most of the grounds were practically deserted on the final day of what may be remembered as the hottest Freeborn County Fair on record.

The grandstand was another story.

Several thousand people braved the heat and humidity for the 40th anniversary of one of the fair’s most popular attractions – the truck and tractor pull.

This year’s pull was expecting at least 60 drivers competing for more than $14,000 in prize money in five different categories. Winners also received a 40th anniversary commemorative plaque.

&uot;We’re really proud of the long history of this event,&uot; said co-chairman Ken Lamping.

Here are the top finishers, by division:

* Four Wheel Drive Trucks – 1. Bill Suchy, Inver Grove Heights, Ford, &uot;Totally Geared;&uot; 2. Dean Jagielo, Pittsville, Wis., Chevrolet, &uot;Saturday Night Driller;&uot; 3. Jamie Busch, Rockwell, Iowa, Chevrolet, &uot;Thunderstruck;&uot; 4. Randy Kliekamp, Carey, Mich., Ford, &uot;Old Yeller;&uot; 5. Michael Manke, Arlington, Wis., Ford, &uot;Foolish Farmer;&uot;

* Two Wheel Drive Trucks – 1. Rick Austin, Brodhead, Wis., &uot;Dirt Flirt;&uot; 2. Rod Splett, Reedburg, Wis., &uot;Lightning;&uot; 3. Doug Christensen, Glencoe, &uot;Pack Rat VI;&uot; 4. (tie) Ronald Hoffman, Colfax, Wis., &uot;49’R;&uot; Chad Christensen, Glencoe, &uot;Pack Rat V;&uot;

* Modified Tractors – 1. Jack Kielmeyer, Nerstrand, Mopar, &uot;Double Trouble;&uot; 2. Dennis Christensen, Glencoe, Chevrolet, &uot;Pack Rat IV;&uot; 3. Brett Berg, Farmington, Chevrolet; 4. Richard Ziegler, Waunakee, Wis., Allison; 5. Davie Geiger, Allen, Neb., Allison;

* Super Farm Tractors – 1. Bill Figenbaum, Tripoli, Iowa, John Deere, &uot;Instigator;&uot; 2. Terry Benson, New Lisbon, Wis., International Harvestor, &uot;Red Storm;&uot; 4. Mike Eagen, Berlin, Wis., John Deere; 5. Jamie Delander, Roberts, Wis., John Deere, &uot;The Twister;&uot;

* Super Stock Tractors – 1. Randy Hinton, Bancroft, Iowa, International Harvestor, &uot;Stray Horse;&uot; 2. Kevin Lynn, Unity, Wis., New Holland, &uot;Rocket;&uot; 3. Brandon Wipf, Frankford, S.D., John Deere, &uot;Deere Fever;&uot; 5. Bryan Haug, Centralia, Kan., Case, &uot;Little Temptation.&uot;

The pull is sanctioned by the National Tractor Pull Association, and sponsored by Mark Peterson’s Crossroads Motors.

It’s one of 35 NTPA-sanctioned events in a five-state area.

The pull is also part of the NAPA/Linder Farm Network Pulling Series, which allows drivers to earn points towards a season-end purse.