By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

On Saturday, over 90 tractor owners from around the region migrated to Hays for the fifth annual Old Iron Tractor Classic at Carrico Implement. It began in the morning with a Slow Poke Race and Kids Tractor Pedal Pull. In the afternoon, participants competed for a variety of awards including best 2-cylinder tractor, best modern era tractor, best non-tractor entry, most unique entry and the overall prize, best of show during the parade.

“One of the keys to the success of the show is the fact that we’ve expanded the show into different categories,” Carrico General Manager Alan Fabrizius said. “We’ve always had it open to all brands and, for the most part, we’ve had a good representation today.”

According to Fabrizius, the show began five years ago as the result of a brainstorm by one of the employees at Carrico Implement, and it has continued to grow in popularity, bringing people from all over the region to Hays.

“We’ve had people come from all over the region and beyond that,” Fabrizius said. “We’ve had quite a few entries today out of Nebraska and Wyoming. And, of course, quite a few local owners participated.

“It’s always nice when you can bring people to Hays, and I feel like we have a gorgeous facility for them here and that was our intent when we created this show.”

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The following awards were presented at the tractor show:

-Best in Show-John Georg-Liebenthal-1959 John Deere 830

-Most Unique Entry-Ron & Danna Riggs-Cheyenne, WY-Ron Deere Kenworth Mini Semi

-Best Non Tractor Entry-Willie Williams-Wichita-6 Pedal Tractor

-Best New Era Tractor-Delmar Dietz-Ogallah-1961 John Deere 3010

-Youngest Participant-Nolan Hobbs,12-Wakeeney-1956 John Deere 420

-Oldest Participant-Henry Walz,100-Ellis-1932 Case L

-Farthest Participant-Dale & Lynn Hiatt-Laramie, WY-1948 Allis Chalmers

-Best in Era

• 1900-1910-Jerry Bernbeck-Utica-1918 Ottawa Log Saw
• 1920-1929-Frank Rohr-Quinter-1925 Case 12-20 Cros-Motor
• 1930-1939-Dallas Brandt-Sidney, NE-1937 John A-290/2 Row Cultivator
• 1940-1949-Dan Lippleman-Oberlin-1947 Leader B
• 1950-1959-John Georg-Libenthal-1958 Massy Harris 555D
• 1960-1969-Bill Luecke-Hays-1968 Oliver 2150 Wheatland
• 1970-1979-Bill Luecke-Hays-1973 Oliver 550