a large displacement engine pushing 1,000 horsepower plus, and

a large displacement engine pushing 1,000 horsepower plus, and make it turn 7,000 to 9,000 rpm.”

He added that breakage is not a major problem, since the trucks are built so heavy. “All I have to do is change the 12 quarts of oil every three runs.”

Mr. Hitt, who works in systems engineering for the FAA Monday through Friday, spends his week, ends on the road. He is vice-president of ODTPA, and delegate to the national board from Virginia. He has been to school to learn the technical and safety regulations necessary to officiate at sanctioned events.

Mr. Hitt and Mr. Nicholson stressed the lengths to which the NTPA has gone to ensure the safety of the sport.

“It’s the safest sport in America because of the rules,” Mr. Hitt said.

Each machine is inspected prior to competition. All moving parts are protected by some manner of casing to prevent them from flying free in the event of breakage. The drive shaft and clutch housing on “Little Bit,” for example, is surrounded by 3/8-inch thick plate steel. The tractor and sled are also connected by a wire which shuts off the engine if the two should separate.

The competition for national championships is similar to drag racing. Points are awarded at each pull, and the winner is determined at the end of each season, which runs from Labor Day to Labor Day.

Each machine competes in several different classes, determined by total weight of the vehicle. The weight can be altered for each class by the addition of large metal ingots hung on the front and rear of the trucks.

Winners also receive prize money, “although the sport is not for making money,” according to Rob Hancock, who came from Powhatan, Va. to announce the event at Amissville. “The guys are doing it for fun... they’re all heart.”

Mr. Hancock kept the crowd revved almost as high as the tachs