Yesterday at 9:34 PM • Edited yesterday at 10:20 PM
Lots of noise, impressive agricultural tractors and a beer here and there. Made’s Powerweekend is the largest truck and tractor pulling in Europe. There are about 20,000 visitors on Saturday, who are thoroughly enjoying themselves despite the heat. “It is the largest competition in Europe, but there are also American guests and they call it the largest in the world,” says organizer Johan van Oosterhout.
About 600 participants participate in the ‘tractor pull’ in 60 different classes on three large tracks. One of those participants is Renate van Riet. She was introduced to the sport from an early age. “We do this with my parents, sister, nephews, aunts and a lot of friends. We started riding in 1993 and I was born in 1992, so for me it is the most normal thing in the world.”
She drives a large machine herself. “It’s a powerful thing. It’s an engine that originally had around 150 hp and is now estimated at 3,000 to 3,500 hp,” she says, while a lot of noise can be heard in the background. “Yes, it is a lot of noise. Fortunately, that is not the case in our class, because we drive in a diesel class. There is a turbo, so it dampens the noise somewhat.”
“There is only one goal: accelerate.”
Renate will be in action on Sunday. And when she is satisfied? “When I see my dad walking towards me with a smile in the corner of my eye, then I know it was good. I think my father is a little more critical, he is more into technology.”
The heat makes the challenge a bit harder. “It’s for breaking down. We’re wearing fire retardant overalls and underwear, gloves and a helmet. So you’re medium rare at the end, but you forget all that. There is only one goal: accelerate.”
And that’s how organizer Johan also thinks about it. “The technique and the combination of motor violence, the sound and the vibrations. You literally feel it in your stomach. A sensation,” he says, wearing a hat against the heat. He never participated himself. “I’m afraid I’ll enjoy it so much, then I’ll have another hobby. Organizing is enough.”
On site, visitors not only enjoy the noise and machines, but also the conviviality. “It’s great and very cozy,” shouts a boy. “It’s warm, but we drink enough,” his friend adds, laughing, with a beer jug in hand.
Even a group of girls from Denmark came to the Brabant village to experience the Power Weekend. “It’s a lot of fun, a cool party,” says one of the girls in English. They all have ice cream to beat the heat. “It’s not that warm in Denmark, but it is here!”