When is a tractor like a boomerang? When it’s a Hornsby Oil Engine Tractor that went to Australia and back!
Taking its place at the 2011 Carrington Rally (29 & 30 May) in the Single-Cylinder feature class will be Robert Crawford’s 1897 Hornsby, which was exported to Australia in the early 1900s and came back to Lincolnshire – where it was originally built by Richard Hornsby & Sons of Grantham – in 1985. Mr Crawford purchased the tractor about 15 years ago.
The first Hornsby was built in 1896 and was the first tractor to be built in Britain. The original machine was shown at the Smithfield Show the same year and also at the Royal Agricultural Show where it was awarded a Silver Medal. Three more Hornsbys were built in 1897 and 1898 and exported to the other side of the world. As one of the three, Mr Crawford’s vehicle is a magnificent example of its kind and has previously been shown at the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show where it won the Open Pre-1920 class in 2009.
Joining the Hornsby in the Single-Cylinder feature will be Bryan Beba and Gordon Carson’s 1917 Samson Sieve Grip, a 1938 ’Bulldog Express’ which is coming from Yorkshire and a 1955 ’Alldog’ – previously sold by R H Crawford & Son to William Allen of Old Leake in 1962 – being exhibited by regular Carrington supporter Bryan Bowles of Wrangle. Included in the line-up will be a number of Field Marshall tractors, built in Gainsborough, and some very rare German-built Lanz tractors.
The Rowcrop feature (1936-1960) is proving extremely popular with well over 30 entries already. Among them is a 1938 Massey Harris Challenger, a 1936 John Deere B, a 1960 Massey Ferguson 65 MK1 Vee twin front-wheel tractor owned by Steve Watts from Abergele, North Wales, and a rare Fordson E27N with a Bettinson of Wisbech single front wheel conversion.
James Hardstaffe has entered his Fordson Major with a Roadless Tricycle front conversion while another vehicle of particular interest is the Bean Motor Hoe, rarely seen on the rally field. Other marques to be found amongst the rowcrops will be Oliver, Fordson, Nuffield, Allis Chalmers, International, a Minneapolis Moline ZTU, David Brown and Ferguson.
Chairman of Carrington Rally, Malcolm Robinson, said: "Many of these exhibitors have entered some very rare and interesting implements, either attached or trailed to their rowcrop tractors. They represent many of the jobs undertaken on fenland farms after the war and expect we will see some of them in the working field doing the job they were made to do."
The current economic climate does not appear to be affecting vintage and classic enthusiasts as entries continue to stream in from across the UK and Europe for all sections of the Rally including steam engines, commercials, cars, model engines, motorbikes and horticultural machinery. Malcolm added: "All other sections are getting a good response from returned entry forms and we expect to have a good variety of exhibits for another great rally."
Carrington Rally will be hosting an auto-jumble and car boot sale on the Saturday alongside the annual vintage auction, as well as two full days of family entertainment on Sunday and Monday. A Road Run is being organised for the Sunday evening.
Admission prices (all on the gate) are £6.00 Adults, £3.00 Children and £15.00 Family (2 adults and 2 children). Camping and caravan facilities are available on site; the full weekend price of £40.00 (pre-booked, £50.00 after 23 May) includes entrance to the Rally. For further information call 07702 208518, email: enquiries@carringtonrally.co.uk or visit the website: www.carringtonrally.co.uk.
