Awards

1st Place - Northern Ireland Rally Champion

Article below taken from TBF news.

Vintage tractor men in Northern Ireland are justifiably proud of their tractor restorations but have never had the opportunity to have them professionally assessed. However, the opportunity arose late last year at the Mount Stewart Rally outside Newtownards when Tractor & Machinery hosted a round of the United Kingdom Tractor Championships. The judges expected approximately 50 entries for the various classes but in excess of 90 tractors arrived to take part in the competition. Glorious weather meant the tractors were looking their absolute best, but behind every tractor there is a human story of hard work, motivation and very often an emotional attachment to another time, another place or indeed another person.

One of the many contenders was Bob McAllister, an employee at TBF Thompson's head office based in Garvagh. Bob has spent three years restoring the 1952 Ferguson TEF Diesel which was purchased by his father, Gary McAllister in 1961 for the sum of £210! The three judges had quite a task on their hands as each and every competitor had gone to great lengths to make sure their show pieces were in pristine condition for the event. Overall three prizes were awarded and Bob was presented with highest honours coming first place as 2004 Northern Ireland Rally Champion, adding to his collection of six first place trophies already won over the last five years.

At last Northern Ireland has its first professionally judged tractors and the restoration community and their tractors can finally get the recognition they deserve.