Morning Symphony: The Violence Of An Italian Tractor Pull – Radial Engines FTW!


Morning Symphony: The Violence Of An Italian Tractor Pull – Radial Engines FTW!

Most racing setups work across the world. Touring cars, drag racing, off-roading…there might be subtle differences based upon geography, but they are universal applications that are pretty popular. I’ve often wondered if the same could be said about tractor pulling. Wikipedia might say that it’s popular in other countries, including Europe, but in the back of my head, could you possibly find a more American motorsport than “let’s see what happens when we strap five nitro-swilling, supercharged Hemis to the front of a tractor to see what happens?” And that’s the LOW end of what goes on…aircraft engines. You can go to an event and see engines meant for aircraft, from Allison turboshafts to the old-school V-12 type engines like Rolls Royce Merlins, you’ll see it hooked to four tires and a mental patient, hooked up to a weight transfer sled, waiting for the chance to churn the dirt up as it drags tons of weight down the course. In Kentucky, it works. In Italy, it’s just a touch more difficult to picture…it might have something to do with tempermental sports cars, but apparently tractor pulls are a thing there. Bozzy, who normally shoots the Monza stuff we feature, recently checked out his first pulling event in Agazzino, and he got the full treatment. “The Joker” there is sporting a Curtiss-Wright R3350 Duplex-Cyclone…that’s the supercharged 18-cylinder radial that powered the B-29 Superfortress!


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