The sport of pulling or sled drags is a competition first between the transferable weight sled and a powerful force, the motorcycle. Of course the real competition is between pullers trying to pull the sled the furthest distance.

If this is your first pull, then a simple explanation of what you're going to see or have seen follows.  Unlike many motor sports, time usually isn't important in pulling.  All they have to do is pull that LARGE piece of metal and wheels (weight transfer sled) the entire length of the track and they WIN.  Prior to hooking to the sled, each Puller must go through a safety inspection and be weighed.  The puller draws a starting position number and when it's his/her turn, he/she reports to the sled. 

    The number one puller is called the "test puller".  After he/she makes his/her pull, he/she has the option to take that pull, drop three places, drop to last, or pull again right away.  the track officials must determine if the weight transfer machine is properly set, and if it is - THE SHOW IS UNDER WAY!  During the final round the number one puller only has the option to refuse his first pull and pull again in 3rd.

    The term "FULL PULL" is used when the Puller goes the entire length of the course without stopping.  If more than one has a "FULL PULL", then all return for what is called a "PULL OFF".  The sled has additional weight added and we're off again until a winner is determined. At some events the winner will be determined based on time if full pulls continue for many rounds.

    That rather large piece of equipment that is hooked to each bike is called a Weight Transfer Machine (example).  It is the key element in every pull.  As the sled is pulled down the track, the weight box at the rear of the sled moves forward by a series of chains.  The box's forward motion and extreme weight pushes down on a large pan just behind the rear of a pulling vehicle and the friction caused by the pan slows and/or stops the vehicle. When the weight is directly over the front end of the sled or shoe, the competitors are pulling anywhere between 6,000 - 8,000pds of static weight.  The object is to go as far as you can.

(Click on the link below for more details and to see pictures of the bikes)

About the bikes - Rules by class

  There are a couple of terms that are important when explaining the track. The staging area is at the beginning of the track and is where the bikes will line up for there pull. The end of the track is called the run off area. The length of the track varies (dirt, clay), depending mainly on the series. It is also determined by whether it is indoors/outdoors.

The tracks can vary in length from 100 feet up to 300 feet. Outdoor tracks are mainly 200 feet. Each track can also vary greatly depending upon the type of material you are pulling on. The track can also change from practice to the finals and even between each pull as we have often seen happen. There are many reasons why this happens (weather, how they prep the track between each run) and you need to be able to read that accordingly. If the motorcycle does pull the sled the measured distance of the track at that pull, it is called a "FULL PULL"!!

  Each rider, once his motorcycle has been classed and/or placed into the proper division (gas trike, fuel trike, or solo) for competition, will be called for his/her pull attempt. Each rider will hook to the sled, connect the safety switch, check his bike, the sled and track in order to prepare for his/her pull attempt to qualify for the finals.

Once ready, the rider will give the OK that he is prepared and the starter will then drop the green flag, calling the pull in progress. Once that happens, the rider, his/her crew, or anyone else is prohibited to push, or otherwise touch the pulling bike in any way. Once the signal to go is given, the rider proceeds in his/her pull attempt.

  Should two or more bikes in the same class/division of competition pull all the way to the 200 foot marker, or 'Full Pull', all bikes enter into a 'Pull Off' round. More weight and/or a faster weight transfer of the weight box will be added to the sled and the motorcycles will once again pull for distance or in some cases, time. We also have what is called a floating finishing line if there are a number of Full Pulls

During a pull off round, there will not be any test pulls, failure second starts/chances, etc. Once a puller is hooked to the sled and the starter declares the pull in progress, the rider is than committed to the pull attempt..no matter what. They competitors race in a series of pull offs against each other in an elimination round to determine the winner.