Struggling amid the Mud: A Tough Test for the GDR Legend
Harness up for some tractordom! At the Tow-tacular in Banzkow, a scorchin' competition track promises heart-stoppin' thrills. Rain or shine, it's pedal-to-the-metal all the way to the finish line for our eager contestants. The objective? Slamming on the anchors and haulin' a brake wagon the full length of the track - no easy feat when the ground transforms into a quagmire after a downpour.
Check out this vid for a yee-haw look at the competition.
Uwe Sommer from Kalkhorst in Nordwestmecklenburg ain't missin' this rodeo. His 1973 DDR tractor ZT's been given a thorough once-over, and its brand-spankin' new third engine roars to life. "It's my weekend hustle, especially my ZT from old East Germany days," says Sommer. Decked out with a flag and the tagline "The East Legend," it's ready for action. Round two's up, and this time, Sommer's aimin' to conquer the 7.5-ton class. He revs up, and before you can say "stop, drop, and roll," smoke's pourin' outta the chimney. The ZT's rear wheels dig in, but Sommer falls short of the finish line.
Now, modern tractors struttin' their stuff on the over 40-meter-long track might catch your eye, but it's the classic beauties like Lanz Bulldog, Belarus, and the K 700 that stole the show at this rural jamboree.
"I reckon this whole shindig started as a friendly dispute among farmers over whose tractor takes the trophy, neighborly pride and all," says Frank Fiebenitz, a member of the organizing crew, watchin' the gladiators in their chariots. Since the early ‘90s, this barn dance has drawn squintin' spectators with their peanut-crunchin' hats. Fiebenitz was one of 'em, a mere onlooker back in 2003. By 2005, he'd traded his cowboy hat for a steerin' wheel and a brake wagon hitch, takin' his tractor for a spin down the track.
Mike Schwerin from Moltow ain't shy about sharin' his DIY war story. Sittin' on 600 horsepower, he tweaked his original 50 PS Belarus for maximum horsepower, usin' original parts and a few upgrades. "I added a special injection pump from China and turbocharger from a diesel locomotive," Schwerin boasts. He's spinnin' his wheels in the free or sports class, 'cause pushin' those horses any further could be considered cheatin'. But even here, a cautious start is crucial. "Two to three rounds, then the engine needs a little rest," explains Mike Schwerin. "Ice cubes help keep things cool."
The track's smoother'n a baby's bottom now. Moderator Dieter Eckert calls for the start on Whitsunday. He recalls, "There was a whole lotta hootin' and hollerin' goin' on already on Saturday. We kicked off at 1 pm. At 1:30 am, I handed off the mic," says Eckert. Yep, things get wild in Banzkow when it's time for the tractor rodeo, even after dark. Whitesunday saw over 100 participants spurring their steeds on the Banzkower Neddelrad alone.
Uwe Sommer, with his keen interest in auto-racing, might find the Tow-tacular's tractor competition as exciting as his weekend auto-racing exploits.
Similar to the adrenaline rush in racing, Mike Schwerin's modified Belarus tractor, with its 600 horsepower under the hood, could give a thrill akin to that of high-speed sports racing.
