Category: News

 

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