If you enjoyed a weekend drive along the back roads of Ipswich and into the Scenic Rim, you may have come across a convoy of tractors driven by enthusiastic drivers.
The biannual Tractor Trek was organised by Mount Walker local Norm Kerle who is a collector and vintage tractor enthusiast.
Norm is a member of the Milbong and District Classic Tractor Club and his enthusiasm spills over when he tells about how the day went.
“Luckily the tractor trek was on the Saturday and not Sunday, because it rained all day Sunday,” he said.
“Everyone pays to take part in the trek, it helps with their meal and as long as we are square, we are happy.”
The tractors meandered through the backroads from Millbong to Warrill View, driving up the old Rosevale Road to the Church of Christ.
Then there was a meal at Norm’s place and it was there participants drooled over each others rides.
“There were about 33 tractors that took part,” he said.
“I lined them up against my fence with 15 of my Fordsons so they didn’t get lonely.”
Sharing the road driving a slow moving machine brings the inevitable frustration from other road users.
In the regions most people have been stuck behind a tractor but while that’s frustrating, Norm said his club had all the permissions to be on the road.
“We had a ute in front with a sign that reads ‘slow tractors ahead’ with flashing lights,” he explained.
“Every tractor had to be registered and have its own flashing light.
“Then there was a ute carrying a mobile toilet generally about halfway through the crew and another ute following up at the end with a sign.
“When they cross the highway at Warrillview and down at Sugarloaf Road, there are signs about 500 metres on either side that warn people that there are tractors on the road.”
The trek is organised so that it conforms to all the necessary insurance and legal requirements.
“Part of the rules are that we have to leave enough space between tractors for a car to fit in,” he explained.
“That way a motorist can cut in between the tractors.
“One time when organising a tractor trek, the transport department stipulated they had to have 200 metres between tractors.
“Now that would mean the tractor trek was about 50 kilometres long.”
Around 60 people participated in this year’s tractor trek and Norm said about a third were women.
He’s always on the lookout for a tractor to add to the collection and he was in full window shopping mode on Saturday.
“I saw about 15 that I didn’t have yet,” he said.
“It’s a fever that catches real bad and when you’re into tractors … you just keep going.”
