(Words and photos by Bryan McTaggart) – If the National Tractor Pulling Association wanted to accurately name the Modified Mini-Tractor class, the name would have to include at least one swear word to project just how flipping crazy these little guys are. They are the most pissed off and overpowered one ton vehicles on the planet and in our opinion, they are the fuel altereds of the pulling world. Limited to 575ci when blown, 650 when naturally aspirated or injected, and turbines with a shaft horsepower rating of up to 1,800hp are also allowed because why the hell not, right? What makes these tractors exciting to watch is the lack of wheelbase, the very, very high wheel speed, and the fact that the engine is so close to the driver that he could change the plugs while driving back to the pits if he wanted to and he’d never have to leave his seat.

When the sun went down in Tennessee, the NTPA started to roll out the heavy guns and these little guys were among them.  They put on one heck of a show and that he’s still finding crusted up dirt and clay in places around the house from wearing so much of it shooting the photos. Getting the setup right on these tractors is very hard because they need all that wheel speed, they need big revs to make up for the relative lack of displacement, and they are so short, trying to manage the weight transfer/front end height is a knife edged situation but that’s what makes them so fun. Sometimes you’ll see the tail start to wag the dog if you know what we mean!

PRESS PLAY TO SEE OUR GALLERY OF MODIFIED MINI-TRACTORS FROM THE LIONS SUPER PULL OF THE SOUTH –