'Texas T-Rex' Team Prepares for Alvarado

After posting a fourth place finish in the Old Town Festival Pull in Bartlett, Lane Duncan and his 'Texas T-Rex' team are preparing for the next event in Alvarado, Tx.  The Johnson County Antique Tractor Club pull and show, will feature the LSGTPA pulling teams at 3pm, with opening ceremonies to include the National Anthem presentation by Jade Flores.  The event will be held at the Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion Park, at 111 Reunion Drive in Alvarado (76009).

Lane Duncan pilots his 'Texas T-Rex' tractor at Bartlett, Texas.

Lane Duncan aboard his 'Texas T-Rex' tractor at the Bartlett Old Town Festival Pull.

Unloaded with a fourth place finish from Bartlett, and prepped for the Alvarado pull.

Jade Flores will present the National Anthem during opening ceremonies at the LSGTPA event in Alvarado, Texas.

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ALVARADO RAINS OUT

The Alvarado event was a rainout, but we still managed to have a great time.  The area really needed the rain, so no complaints !  We were excited to meet Ms. Jade Flores, and enjoyed the time to relax and visit our pulling friends !

Jade Flores visits Lane Duncan at the LSGTPA event in Alvarado.

Much needed rain hit the Alvarado track, forcing the Texas T-Rex camp to hold down the tent.

Holding down the fort in Alvarado, during a much needed rain shower.

Water on the track at Alvarado.

Jade Flores and Lane Duncan, visit at the LSGTPA event in Alvarado.

Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull

The LSGTPA summer schedule features the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull in Blue Ridge, Texas.  The annual event is dedicated to the memory of LSGTPA member Billy Halter.  The event itself is one of our favorite pulls, but the tricky blackland prairie track has not provided for our best performances.  This year, the blackland track once again, limited the 'Texas T-Rex' to a fifth place finish.  Considering the competition, and how close the finishes were, the 'T-Rex' Team performed pretty well, just not as well as we had hoped.

 The first pull, Lane looked to be on a pretty good pass, when the front end got up a little high and the wheelie bars dug in at mid track.  Once the tires began to spin, the 'T-Rex' dug a hole pretty quick.  We moved some weight around to try and keep the front end down for the second pull, which it did.  But, the track crew had watered the track just before the second round, and we just happened to find a slick spot.  As many know, blackland can get very slick when wet, and the 'Texas T-Rex' lost traction downtrack and slipped to a halt.

We had a great time in Blue Ridge, and Lane was able to visit with several friends he had missed.  The Youth Class drivers handed out souvenir decals to the spectators, and had a good time.  We'll clean off the blackland and get ready for the next pull, and will look forward to returning to Blue Ridge in 2014 !

We would like to thank those who make this event possible, and congratulate Bailey Melvin on another outstanding National Anthem performance !  We would like to recognize the friends of the Enloe Museum, who provided the awards for the Youth Class.  Thank you to all of those who help get our team to the track, and to all of the fans who come out to see our show !

We will be preparing for the next LSGTPA events:

Bartlett, Texas      Sep 21    Old Town Festival
Alvarado, Texas   Sep 28    Johnson County Antique Tractor Club Show
Farmersville, Tx    Oct 5      Old Time Saturday
Rockdale, Tx        Oct 19    Rockdale Fair and Rodeo

Bailey Melvin performs the National Anthem at the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull.

Bailey Melvin performs the National Anthem at the LSGTPA event in Blue Ridge, Texas.

Lane Duncan heads to the track aboard the 'Texas T-Rex', in Blue Ridge, Texas.

'Texas T-Rex' pit between rounds, at the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull.

Bailey Melvin visits with Lane Duncan, at the Blue Ridge tractor pull.

Lane Duncan aboard the 'Texas T-Rex', and the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull.

'Texas T-Rex' pit action, at Blue Ridge, Texas.

Lane Duncan visits with fans at the Bill Halter Memorial tractor pull in Blue Ridge.

Lane Duncan passes out souvenirs to the fans at Blue Ridge.

Lane and the Youth Class drivers, pass out souvenirs to spectators in Blue Ridge.

Unloading from Blue Ridge, with a fifth place trophy.

Unloading from the Bill Halter Memorial Pull with a fifth place trophy.

DeLeon Peach and Melon Festival Pull

The Texas T-Rex Team hauled down to the DeLeon Peach and Melon Festival Tractor Pull in August, and had a great time pulling at an awesome facility.  Lane managed to pilot the 'Texas T-Rex' to a string of great pulls, including two Full Pulls !

Lane Duncan surveys the De Leon Pulling Track

Sharing the shade in De Leon.

Headed to the starting line in De Leon.

De Leon Peach and Melon Festival Tractor Pulling facility

'Texas T-Rex' rolling onto the De Leon Pulling Arena

Talking strategy at the DeLeon Peach and Melon Festival Tractor Pull.

'Texas T-Rex' headed downtrack at the DeLeon Peach and Melon Festival Pull

Turning in a good pull in De Leon.

Trying to cool off after back to back pulls in De Leon.

Between rounds at the DeLeon Peach and Melon Festival Tractor Pull

DeLeon Peach and Melon Festival Tractor Pull

'Texas T-Rex' with a 'Full Pull' in De Leon !

Lane and his 'Texas T-Rex' take a Third Place medal at DeLeon !

Duncan Motorsports Mid-Season Report

Looking back at the 2013 season at the half way point, is a lot more enjoyable following a win.  The Texas T-Rex Team has certainly had a great 2013, at least up until this mid season point.  I believe much of the success the team has had thus far, can be attributed to the efforts of preparation during the off season.

Lane Duncan goes to work, after unloading from Rockdale, preparing for 2013.

 Immediately following the 2012 season, we began researching, acquiring, and testing various drive belt and pulley combinations for the belt driven 'Texas T-Rex'.  We have narrowed down the best combination of belt and pulley ratio, to a few select pairings, at this point.  From a single setup with no backup in previous years, to multiple combinations with capable spares today, we have definitely improved our situation.  We have also learned a lot about belt materials, design, and construction.  Learning while at play certainly seems like a good thing, especially for young puller !

Measuring Douglas Wheels for wheel screws, prior to mounting Firestone tires.

The team also acquired and tested a couple of different pulling tires, which has resulted in a couple of different setups, as options available to us depending on track conditions.  We have a decent tire package for both hard and tacky tracks, as well as a tire package that seems decent for the looser tracks.  And at the very least, we have spares available to keep us in the competition should the need arise.  We certainly have not figured out the track reading, and would not claim to have figured out the best tire package, but I believe we have improved, and at least can continue to gain data and comparisons, to hopefully continue to improve.

Lane Duncan installs new wheel studs on his 'Texas T-Rex' pulling tractor.

A rule change in 2013, allowed for an increase in the tractor weight from 950 to 1000 pounds.  We were pleased with our progress at the old weight, and were reluctant to add the additional weight, but have gradually increased the weight and moved the balance around in subtle changes.  To date, we are still a little light, but have a pretty good feel for the weight location for what the 'Texas T-Rex' seems to like.  We are sneaking up on the combination, and hope to be able to adjust quickly at the track as needed.  In the past, we usually fell off on the second pulls, and did not seem to be able to make the correct adjustments.  This year, we have been able to make small adjustments, and improve on the second pull.  This ability is an accomplishment I am quite proud of....although, it may have just been luck !

Images by Sharon, captured Lane and his 'Texas T-Rex' in action at the Hunt County Fair.

Images by Sharon, captured Lane launching his 'Texas T-Rex', on the way to a win in Thornton.

I would like to thank all of those involved with our team, as well as everyone involved in the LSGTPA club. I think the season overall, is off to a great run for 2013.   We were excited to have Bailey Melvin and Morgan Dellow as part of the show at the first three events, performing our National Anthem during opening ceremonies, and look forward to working with these two young rising stars at future LSGTPA shows.  The LSGTPA club now enjoys great photography, with the work of Ashley Jesko and Sharon Bramlett.  We would like to acknowledge the Clara Foster Slough Museum in Enloe, for continued partnering to support the LSGTPA Youth Class.  Lane and I certainly can not field an entry alone, so we would like to express our greatest appreciation to Richard and Nancy Duncan, aka 'Nannie' and 'PawPaw'.  Our 'Uncle Larry' King, started this endeavor off, with presenting Lane with the 'Texas T-Rex' project, back in 2008, and we certainly appreciate the opportunity his donation has provided.  Too many people need to be thanked, to try and include everyone here.  We will save that for a year end wrap up feature !

We will continue on with this 2013 run, and hope to improve with each pull !  Most importantly, we will have fun as we learn, and will enjoy the experiences this effort presents.  Thank you again, to all of those that support us !

Texas T-Rex Team Takes a Win in Thornton

Lane Duncan piloted his 'Texas T-Rex' tractor to two great hooks in Thornton, to take the win in the LSGTPA Youth Class on Saturday.  Lane was the recipient of the 'high card' which put his machine in the first slot to pull in his class.  With the Youth Class pullers the first class, Lane was the very first tractor out of the gate at the Thornton Rodeo Arena event.  After a malfunction with the sled on the first attempt, Lane had to remain calm and managed a great pull on the first official pass down the track.

Lane Duncan is first out of the gate at the Thornton Tractor Pull

Texas T-Rex Team discusses strategy at the LSGTPA Thornton Tractor Pull.

Lane returned for his second pass, and improved on the first performance to secure the victory.  Near record temperatures during the event, had the tractors and pullers alike feeling the heat, as the thermometer was well over the century mark and track temperatures soared over 120 degrees.  The Duncan Motorsports crew and 'Texas T-Rex' team were thrilled with the win, and hope to further improve on the performance.

Lane Duncan aboard his 'Texas T-Rex' tractor, prepares to pull in the Thornton Rodeo Arena.

Lane Duncan rides his 'Texas T-Rex' tractor to victory at the Thornton Rodeo Arena tractor pull.

 

Thanks to all of the sponsors of the event, including the Thornton Chamber of Commerce and Junior Chamber members, Thornton Rodeo Arena, and LSGTPA for organizing the event.

Lane Duncan scores the Thornton Tractor Pull Gold Medal.

'Texas T-Rex' Prepared for Enloe Independence Day Festivities

Lane Duncan and the 'Texas T-Rex' crew will be performing a little routine maintenance on the 'T-Rex' this weekend, in preparation for a display at the Enloe Independence Day Celebration in Enloe, Texas.  The 'Texas T-Rex' tractor will be on display at the Clara Foster Slough Museum during the afternoon, as the Enloe Museum hosts a book signing event for Kay Wheeler Moore, and her book entitled 'Way Back in the Gardenia Rows'.  Lane will participate in the Enloe Independence Day Parade, scheduled for a 5pm start at the Enloe Community Center.

Be sure to stop by the Clara Foster Slough Museum in Enloe, pickup an autographed book, enjoy the parade and stay around for the Enloe Community Cookout for an afternoon and evening of fun !

Lane Duncan performs routine maintenance on his 'Texas T-Rex', in preparation for the Enloe Independence Day parade.

Lane Duncan displays his 'Texas T-Rex' LSGTPA Pulling Tractor.

Lane Duncan cruises Enloe during the 2012 Independence Day Parade.