Author: Kyle Petsch

The following items have been updated in the 2026 OTTPA Rulebook related to turbocharger safety.

Compressor Housing Blankets:

All turbochargers are required to have a NTPA accepted blanket that completely encloses the compressor housing and securely fastened as intended by the manufacturer.

• • Blanket must contain a minimum 5 (five) layers of Kevlar
  • Blanket displaying a SFI 4.1 certification is accepted but not required.
  • Turbocharger compressor housing blankets are accepted from the following manufacturers.
    • Taylor Motorsports Products
    • Stroud Safety
    • Ram Jet

Turbocharger Pressure Pipe Blanket:

Added for 540 Light Pro and Limited Pro Stock Classes:

A turbocharger pressure pipe blanket is required

• • Turbo outlet pressure pipe between the turbocharger and the intake manifold must be wrapped 360 degrees with an OTTPA accepted blanket.
  • Blanket must be placed as close to compressor housing outlet neck as possible and extend at least 6 (six) inches beyond the first bend in pipe or a minimum blanket length of 18 inches, whichever is longest.
  • Any pressure pipe shorter than 18-inches must have blanket covering the entire length of pipe.
  • Blanket must be purchased from an OTTPA approved manufacturer containing a minimum of 5 (five) layers of Kevlar. A blanket displaying a SFI 4.1 certification is accepted but not required.

Turbo Wheel Containment (Exhaust):

Turbo Exhaust Wheel Containment –

• • Any turbocharger used in OTTPA competition where exhaust exits to atmosphere must have an approved exhaust wheel containment device installed.
  • Containment device and any attaching components or hardware must be supplied by an OTTPA approved manufacturer.
  • Containment device cannot be placed in any part of exhaust pipe. If containment device is attached to turbo exhaust housing flange by use of a clamp, then the exhaust pipe must be welded to the containment device.
  • Any clamp used to attach a safety device to the turbocharger that is not supplied by the turbocharger manufacturer must be a Double V type clamp as shown in diagram. Clamp has a stainless steel band covering the entire circumference. Clamp must be manufactured by a USA supplier.
  • Containment device must be installed as designed by manufacturer. No modifications or alterations of any kind allowed.
  • Manufacturer may identify each component or assembly by engraving part numbers or some type of identification into each part.
  • OTTPA Approved Containment Devices
    • Option 1 – Cross Bolts in Turbo Exhaust Housing – installed by turbo manufacturer
      • Qty. 2 (two) .500-inch diameter, grade 5 or greater bolts installed by drilling qty. 4 (four) holes into turbo exhaust housing and welded in place.
      • Bolts must be installed at 90 degrees from each other and no more than .0625-inch (1/16-inch) between the two bolts.
      • Cross bolts must be located as close to the center of exhaust wheel as possible.

    • Option 2: Containment Adapter – supplied by turbo manufacturer

      • Containment device supplied by turbo manufacturer must be approved by NTPA Tech Services and installed as supplied by manufacturer.
      • Containment device must be located as close to exhaust wheel as possible.
      • Containment device and components supplied for attachment to turbo housing must contain the manufacturer’s name or logo identification.

    • Option 3: Containment Adapter – supplied by OTTPA approved manufacturer

      • Exhaust adapter must be fabricated using two interlocking pieces of .250-inch x 1.000-inch flat steel notched .250-inch x .500-inch at center creating a single interlocking assembly and fully welded into a cross pattern.
      • Round steel containment adapter must be a minimum .175-inch wall thickness and contain cross assembly fully welded inside the adapter, not in exhaust pipe.
      • Leading edge of cross assembly can be sharpened a maximum of .250-inch back from leading edge facing the exhaust wheel. Any tapered or sharpened edge is in addition to 1-inch minimum width.
      • Location of leading edge of cross assembly not to exceed .125-inch behind face of adapter flange on turbo side.
      • Adapter mounting flange must be a minimum .140-inch wide at base of flange and a minimum .125-inch wide at narrowest point of taper.
      • Adapter must be attached to turbo exhaust housing flange using clamp supplied by adapter manufacturer. Since this containment device is attached to turbo exhaust housing flange by use of a clamp, the exhaust pipe must be welded to the containment device. Adapter and attaching clamp must be clearly identified with manufacturer name or logo.
  • Exhaust Wheel Cage
    NOTE: Exhaust Wheel Cage is a containment device bolted to exhaust housing by turbo manufacturer
    • Billet steel cage made from 304 stainless bolted and fastened to exhaust housing as supplied by the turbo manufacturer.
    • Exhaust wheel cage must be fastened using bolts, a minimum qty. 8 (eight) – 5/16-inch diameter, grade 8 or greater bolts required or wheel cage fastened as designed by turbo manufacturer.
    • Turbo exhaust wheel cage must be manufactured by sane turbo manufacturer on which it is installed.
    • Exhaust wheel cage must be installed as supplied. No modifications allowed.
    • OTTPA  Technical Services to determine any additional dimension or specifications required.

Turbo Wheel Containment (Intake):

Turbocharger Intake Cross

• • Any single turbocharger application listed below requires a one-piece, 3/8-inch solid billet cross, located within 8 inches from front edge of compressor wheel inducer blade and behind the air shutoff gate.
    • a) Classes: Super-Farm, 3.0 Diesel Truck, Limited Pro-Stock, 540 Light Pro-Stock
  • Intake cross must be mounted solidly to the turbo compressor housing using a Double V type clamp.
  • Intake cross must be installed as manufactured and supplied by the manufacturer.
  • Maximum intake cross diameters are listed by division as follows:
    • Super Farm: Max Cross Diameter – 7in.
    • 3.0 Diesel Truck: Max Cross Diameter – 7in.
    • Limited Pro-Stock: Max Cross Diameter – 8in.
    • 540 Light Pro-Stock: Max Cross Diameter – 9in.

 

For Immediate Release:
02/10/2026

World Pulling International (WPI) & FullPull Entertainment Announce New Ownership of Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association

World Pulling International (WPI), under the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) shield, and FullPull Entertainment (FullPull), announce new ownership of Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association (OTTPA), a leading sanctioning body serving pullers and fans across the central United States. This new ownership is designed to create a unified, national framework for championship pulling while preserving the regional identity and strengths of both organizations.

This new ownership will align NTPA’s long-standing Grand National and Regional-level series with OTTPA’s strong presence across the Heartland and surrounding regions, giving competitors and promoters access to a deeper, more diverse schedule of events. By combining resources, leadership, and class structures, the unified organization aims to deliver more consistent rules, elevated event production, and expanded sponsorship opportunities for the sport of truck and tractor pulling.

WPI, FullPull, and OTTPA intend to leverage the experience of each organization to coordinate long‑term planning, rules alignment, and FullPull’s media strategy while maintaining the strong local relationships that have made the organizations successful. This approach is intended to ensure that pullers, promoters, and fans experience continuity in 2026 while benefiting from a clear path toward a more integrated championship landscape in future seasons.

WPI, FullPull, and OTTPA have confirmed that they will continue to operate independently and conduct business as usual throughout the 2026 season as formal acquisition terms, regulatory review, and operational integration plans for future years are finalized. Existing event commitments, including national and regional tours, class sponsorships, and promoter agreements, are expected to be honored in full under each organization’s current sanctioning structure.

This continuity allows competitors to plan their seasons with confidence while leadership teams work behind the scenes on timelines, class alignment, and branding strategies that respect the heritage of both organizations. Promoters will continue to work with their established contacts at NTPA, OTTPA, and FullPull for event planning, marketing, and technical services.

Benefits for Pullers, Promoters, and Fans

By joining the OTTPA and the NTPA structures, the combined organization expects to deliver measurable benefits across the sport, including:

• Expanded national reach, with a broader footprint of premier pulls across the Midwest, Plains, and traditional NTPA and OTTPA markets.
• More unified rules and class structures, reducing duplication and making it easier for pullers to compete across multiple series with the same equipment.
• Enhanced sponsorship and media opportunities, building on recent partnerships and class sponsorships that highlight the strong alignment between agriculture, rural communities, and the sport of pulling.
• Greater long‑term stability for promoters through access to centralized technical support, marketing resources, and a deeper pool of competitors and classes.
• The acquisition also reflects the continued evolution of NTPA governance, which WPI and FullPull have focused on streamlining board structures and energizing strategic initiatives to grow the sport, in a sustainable business model.

Leadership from WPI, FullPull and OTTPA have emphasized that the final agreement will prioritize the traditions, brands, and communities that each organization has built over decades. While the long‑term vision includes more coordinated scheduling and championships, both sides recognize the importance of preserving the unique character of legacy events and pulling cultures.

As planning progresses, the organizations anticipate forming joint working groups of pullers, promoters, and officials to provide input on class offerings, safety and tech policies, and promotional strategies under a unified national structure. These collaborative efforts are intended to ensure that the sport grows in a way that is both sustainable and driven by those most invested in its future.

WPI, FullPull, and OTTPA planning is ongoing, and additional announcements regarding transaction structure, branding, and post‑2026 competitive platforms will be shared when details are finalized. Until then, both organizations encourage fans, pullers, and promoters to look ahead to a full 2026 slate of events and an exciting next chapter for championship pulling in North America.

For more information about the National Tractor Pullers Association, visit www.NTPAPULL.com
For more information about FullPull Entertainment, visit www.FullPull.us
For more information about Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association, visit www.OutlawPulling.com

 

 

Important Safety Update: Bellhousing Requirements for the 2026 Pulling Season

As we prepare for the 2026 pulling season, we want to make all competitors aware of important updates to bellhousing requirements. These changes are being implemented to improve safety and ensure consistency with current certification standards.

2026 Season Requirements

• All bellhousings must have a valid, non-expired certification sticker in order to compete during the 2026 season.
• All SFI 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 bellhousings must display a valid and current SFI certification decal affixed by the manufacturer that includes the expiration date before being allowed to compete at any OTTPA event.
• SFI 6.1 bellhousings are no longer allowed beginning with the 2026 season.
• Bellhousing must be properly attached according to specifications listed below.

Competitors are strongly encouraged to verify the certification status and mounting of their bellhousing well before the start of the season to avoid any last-minute issues at tech inspection.

Bellhousing Attachment

• Bellhousing must be mounted as SFI certified by manufacturer with grade 8 studs or bolts that can be identified as grade 8. Socket head bolts allowed only for clearance problems.
• Bellhousing attachment must be by minimum grade 8 – 3/8-inch diameter bolts or studs and must pass through bellhousing flange and block plate. Fasteners installed into engine block or block adapter must be at a depth of 3/8-inch (.375-inch) in steel or 3/4-inch (.750-inch) in aluminum. All other bolts must sandwich bellhousing and block plate using a grade 8 nut and washer. All block plates and block adapters must be made from billet steel or aluminum.
• All automotive type engines with SFI bellhousings and clutch must run a full block plate, either a unit commercially available, or fabricated from a minimum 3/16-inch steel or 1/4-inch aluminum.
• Any SFI bellhousing manufactured with 4 (four) quadrant/anti-rotation bolt holes, either 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch diameter, located two above crankshaft centerline and two below crankshaft centerline, must install proper size minimum grade 5 bolt and must pass through both block plate or block adapter and bellhousing and be securely tightened using equal hardness nut and washer per bellhousing manufacturer SFI certification.
• Bellhousing must be mounted with grade 8 studs or bolts per manufacturer’s bolt pattern for motor and bellhousing. All bolts must be in place.
• All bellhousing liner(s) must be made from steel or titanium. Liner must be flush with bellhousing flange / mounting surface and fastened with qty. 1 – 1/4-inch aluminum bolt threaded into liner. No modification or rearward movement of liner away from flywheel to allow for larger flywheel or ring gear. Liner can be notched for starter pocket.

Looking Ahead to 2027

• Aluminum bellhousings will no longer be permitted starting with the 2027 season, regardless of certification status.

This advance notice is intended to give teams adequate time to plan and budget for any required equipment upgrades.

What You Should Do Now

• Check your current bellhousing for certification type and expiration date.
• Make plans to replace any SFI 6.1 or uncertified bellhousings before the 2026 season.
• Begin preparing for the transition away from aluminum bellhousings ahead of the 2027 season.

Safety remains a top priority, and these updates are a critical step in protecting competitors, officials, and fans. If you have questions regarding acceptable bellhousings or certification requirements, please contact the organization before the season begins.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a safe and competitive 2026 season.

Download PDF Version – 2026 Bellhousing Updates