Graceland hosts successful Lucknow Demolition Derby, Dungannon Super Pull
BY SCOTT STEPHENSON
The Dungannon Super Pull and Demo Derby just celebrated its 23rd anniversary weekend with another impressive demonstration of the horsepower arts. This is the second year that the Super Pull has been held at its new location at Graceland in Lucknow, after the event grew too popular to remain at the Dungannon Fairgrounds where it was founded. On Friday night, there was a very well-attended demolition derby that featured machines of all sizes getting their chance to destroy each other, and Saturday was devoted entirely to the original attraction: the Super Pull. There were also expanded kid’s activities, live music, camping and a multitude of food trucks from which to choose.
The demolition derby was a new addition to the Super Pull last year, and was an instant hit with crowds. This year, the derby went even bigger with more combines, and even smaller by adding a lawnmower smash-up to the cavalcade of carnage. Lawnmowers may have less powerful engines than the average derby entrant, but that doesn’t make it any less thrilling to watch them duking it out.
When it came to the cars, there were many ruffled combatants raring to go. Each heat consisted of a ‘Figure 8’ race, in which the first two cars to complete 15 laps got to move on to the final and consolation rounds, respectively. Each round saw crowds start rooting for a new underdog, rallying around another beat-down car hoping to start one last time after stalling, and cheering for the eventual winner. By the time it got to the “demo” part of the derby, there were clear crowd favourites, which made the entire battle royale very satisfying. The award for best-looking vehicle went to Number 32 - the Big White Possum.
The evening came to a stirring end with a great performance from what is hands-down the best Tragically Hip tribute band in the country - The Practically Hip.
Saturday brought with it beautifully summery weather for the Super Pull itself. Souped-up and standard vehicles from near and far came out to the clay track that was laid at Graceland last year to see who could pull what. The deep-fried onions were blooming and the black smoke was pluming as the day turned to night amidst the effluent efforts of trucks, tractors and other miscellaneous machines. The evening’s musical entertainment was provided by one of the only tribute bands out there that can compete with the cacophony of the Super Pull - 21 Gun Salute, who treated the crowd to their take on the music of AC/DC.
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Councillor Evan Hickey attended the Super Pull on Saturday, and was impressed by this year’s event, and how many people it attracted. “Camping doubled from last year, they had over 400 sites this year for camping.
Attendance was up 1,000 over last year, there were over 7,000 guests... Saturday, the Super Pull had an increase in American pullers, it seemed all day, anytime you heard over the speakers, someone was coming from Pennsylvania. It was a common place they were coming from. It was a huge success.”
The Super Pull weekend just seems to keep growing in popularity, and each year means more and more volunteers have come together to pull off such a grand event that brings in international competitors. Long-term Dungannon Super Pull attendee Morgan Gregory was there last weekend, and seeing what the event has evolved into makes her both proud and nostalgic. “This all started as a way to memorialize a friend’s dad,” she said. “It’s great to see it so huge and so successful, but I miss how it was back in Dungannon too. I look around and I don’t know anybody - but then I see my Dungannon crew, and it’s like, the same again.”
The fascination with the Super Pull and demolition derby can seem confusing to those who’ve never been, but it’s easy to understand once you’ve attended one. Those who work closely with machines get to know them well, and sometimes, they want to see what they can do. It’s a tradition that continues to evolve as a showcase of both an individual’s mechanical mastery, and the raw power of all manner of machines. It aspires towards unconventional goals and extreme performance, and fosters an adrenaline-infused sense of community spirit. It’s a competition that draws a diverse crowd that is united by their shared passion for machines, blended with the visceral thrill of destruction. The Super Pull’s origin comes from a deep connection to the agricultural heritage of rural life, and no matter how big it gets, that will always be at its heart.