Maine State Pullers Association (MSPA)
Northern Penobscot Pullers Association (NPPA)
Established 1979
MSPA History
The Maine State Pullers Association was established in 1979 by representatives from throughout the state. The representatives met to establish uniform rules and give the sport structure. From these meetings, the MSPA was started. The year 2009 marks 30 years in the business as the premier sanctioning body of truck and tractor pulling. As a result, the Northern Penobscot Pullers Association was developed to co-sponsor truck pulling events, in conjunction with the MSPA, which is the largest active chartered pulling club within the state of Maine.
Each year the board of directors meets to discuss and adapt new rules and regulations to safely regulate the sport. The MSPA sets the standard in the pulling industry for safety and competition rules. From time to time, classes are added and/or deleted to make the show the best possible for the numerous spectators. As of now we offer 13 regular classes through NPPA.
A staff of 18 board of directors and officers work throughout the year to govern the MSPA. The other ingredient in making an event successful includes several volunteers essential in producing a professional MSPA sanctioned event. Even though board members have unique aspects in their personals lives, they all work together in the business of truck and tractor pulling.
The N.P.P.A. currently has 76 paid members for the 2009 season, which is more than double the average of 35 members over the years. The members are from all areas of the state and also a few from neighboring Canada and about 5 competing members from the Rhode Island area. Last year during the NPPA truck pulls the organization averaged approximately 66 hooks per event. In 2006 the smallest event was 36 trucks with the best outcome being 50 trucks (vehicles) participating, the events didn't always have the same classes available.
The average cost for an event of this magnitude usually is determined with the classes that are available. The average cost for the truck division is $400.00 per class. The average cost for the farm tractor division is $250.00 per class. Plus a fee of $200.00 for the dyno, this is used to test horsepower of the tractors. A dyno is needed to consider the event a points series pull. The difference in pricing is because the trucks are mostly designed only for the sport of pulling. The farm tractors are readily available for the competitors to use during their every day endeavors. The organizations rent a self-propelled motorized transfer sled, which was purchased purposely for these events. The sled was bought and brought into the state by fellow pullers and pulling enthusiast to help promote the sport within the state of Maine.
Wherever you're pulling it is going to be hard work. Let your truck breathe a little better. Buy an F-150 cold air intake for your Ford truck.
About NPPA
Allow me to introduce our organization and present ways we may be mutually beneficial to each other. Our organization, Northern Penobscot Pullers Association, sponsors multiple truck pulls throughout the state of Maine. We pull as far north as Ashland and south to Cumberland. With this year being our 30th anniversary year, 1979 - 2009.
These pulls take place on a 300 foot track. The competitors pull a weight transfer machine known as the "Eliminator". The individual who goes the farthest wins the class. Many of our pulls take place at state fairs where they draw a great and varied spectator audience.
We have a variety of classes to attract different levels of competitors. There are the streetstock classes, for the average guy to bring his everyday work truck and see how it does. For those who have specifically built performance trucks, we have the superstock and modified classes. Some of our pulls also offer a class for the tractor trailer trucks and "Hot Stock" farm tractors.