W.L. Bill Simmons Antique Tractor Club
© 2015
Our Club
W.L. "Bill" Simmons Antique Tractor Club was established to promote the sport and good nature of seeing antique tractors drag a weighted sled down a dirt track. The Club was established in 2003 under direction of W.L. "Bill" Simmons who is a former Fort Defiance Ag Teacher. Mr. Simmons was first involved in tractor pulling while at North River High School when he was asked to create a pulling sled. This drag type sled was used for a few years until the idea came up to create the first Transfer Weight Sled in Virginia. This sled was made in 1972 and christened "The Sitting Bull" and made it's debut during the May 30th, 1972 Fort Defiance May Day. Many FFA boys pulled that day trying to best each other. The Sitting Bull was a mainstay of all the local fairs for much of the 70's and 80's. On September 15, 1979, the sled was used at the 1st National Tractor Pull at Expoland where pullers from across the United States attempted to beat the sled. This pull and many others over the years have led to modifications to the sled making it one of the best competition sleds during its time. A smaller scale sled was made by the Fort Defiance Ag shop class and also named "The Sitting Bull". This sled is currently used by the club and serves as one of the best "Antique" Tractor Pulling Sleds around. We are all very proud of Mr. Bill Simmons and all that he has done for the sport, without him there would be no club. Location The Club is located at the Sangerville/Tower Ruritan Grounds located near Mount Solon and Natural Chimneys and meets the First Wednesday of each Month at 7pm. From I-81 South Take Exit 240 turn Right onto 257 west (Dinkle Ave), to Rt 42 South, turn left, go 1/2 mile turn right onto Spring Creek Rd, at stop sign turn left onto Miller Saw Mill Rd, at next stop sign turn left onto North River Rd. Watch for the Ruritan Club on your right(Emmanuel Church rd). From I-81 North Take Exit 240 turn left onto 257 west (Dinkle Ave), to Rt 42 South, turn left, go 1/2 mile turn right onto Spring Creek Rd, at stop sign turn left onto Saw Mill Rd, at next stop sign turn left onto North River Rd. Watch for the Ruritan Club on your right(Emmanuel Church Rd). From Rt 42 (Staunton, Churchville,Craigsville and Monteray areas) Take Rt 42 North (Warm Springs Rd) to Rt 607 (Moscow Loop) Moscow Loop turns into Natural Chimney Road, at the 4 way intersection in Mt. Solon go straight through, at the next stop sign turn right onto North River Rd, the Ruritan Park is on the left on Emmanuel Church Rd. Come and visit us during a pull and experience the the thrill of hearing old engines working hard Google Map https://goo.gl/maps/P3oCb
ABOUT
© 2015
Our Club
W.L. "Bill" Simmons Antique Tractor Club was established to promote the sport and good nature of seeing antique tractors drag a weighted sled down a dirt track. The Club was established in 2003 under direction of W.L. "Bill" Simmons who is a former Fort Defiance Ag Teacher. Mr. Simmons was first involved in tractor pulling while at North River High School when he was asked to create a pulling sled. This drag type sled was used for a few years until the idea came up to create the first Transfer Weight Sled in Virginia. This sled was made in 1972 and christened "The Sitting Bull" and made it's debut during the May 30th, 1972 Fort Defiance May Day. Many FFA boys pulled that day trying to best each other. The Sitting Bull was a mainstay of all the local fairs for much of the 70's and 80's. On September 15, 1979, the sled was used at the 1st National Tractor Pull at Expoland where pullers from across the United States attempted to beat the sled. This pull and many others over the years have led to modifications to the sled making it one of the best competition sleds during its time. A smaller scale sled was made by the Fort Defiance Ag shop class and also named "The Sitting Bull". This sled is currently used by the club and serves as one of the best "Antique" Tractor Pulling Sleds around. We are all very proud of Mr. Bill Simmons and all that he has done for the sport, without him there would be no club. Location The Club is located at the Sangerville/Tower Ruritan Grounds located near Mount Solon and Natural Chimneys and meets the First Wednesday of each Month at 7pm. From I-81 South Take Exit 240 turn Right onto 257 west (Dinkle Ave), to Rt 42 South, turn left, go 1/2 mile turn right onto Spring Creek Rd, at stop sign turn left onto Miller Saw Mill Rd, at next stop sign turn left onto North River Rd. Watch for the Ruritan Club on your right(Emmanuel Church rd). From I-81 North Take Exit 240 turn left onto 257 west (Dinkle Ave), to Rt 42 South, turn left, go 1/2 mile turn right onto Spring Creek Rd, at stop sign turn left onto Saw Mill Rd, at next stop sign turn left onto North River Rd. Watch for the Ruritan Club on your right(Emmanuel Church Rd). From Rt 42 (Staunton, Churchville,Craigsville and Monteray areas) Take Rt 42 North (Warm Springs Rd) to Rt 607 (Moscow Loop) Moscow Loop turns into Natural Chimney Road, at the 4 way intersection in Mt. Solon go straight through, at the next stop sign turn right onto North River Rd, the Ruritan Park is on the left on Emmanuel Church Rd. Come and visit us during a pull and experience the the thrill of hearing old engines working hard Google Map https://goo.gl/maps/P3oCb
ABOUT
