Goodyear calls for ploughmen at this year's Tillage

Goodyear tyres have created a storm at events up and down the country by introducing, novel and innovative ways of presenting their tyres. Goodyear previously tied up with the Society of Ploughman presenting how tyre technology, machinery and farming implements have developed together over the last 70 years.

This year Goodyear took the concept a step further and invited guests to take part in a Ploughing Challenge at this year's Tillage events at Tetbury, Gloucestershire on Thursday 8th September '05 and at Croft Circuit, Darlington on Tuesday 13th September '05.

Goodyear once again partnered the Society of Ploughman at the event, a registered charity run by volunteers from the farming community responsible for the organisation of the British National Ploughing Championships and for managing the England World and European Ploughing Teams. There aim, to promote and encourage, the art, skill and science of ploughing and cultivating the land.

At the event guests were coached and supervised by former World and British Ploughing Champion John Hill. They were then tested on their ploughing using a Lemken reversible plough pulled on a Massey Ferguson sporting Goodyear OPTITRACs. John examined precision and application of what they had learned.

Amongst others, participants included Melvyn Champan, Farming Monthly and Trai Anfield from BBC Look North. However, the overall winner with a points total of 71 out of 100 was Mervyn Bailey from Farmers Guardian who competed at the Tetbury event in Gloucestershire.

Andy Morris, Director of Off The Road tyres for Goodyear says: 'We have a close relationship with The Society of Ploughmen and thought the idea of involving guests in their demonstrations would create a great spectacle and also allow people the chance to try our Goodyear OPTITRAC product. The challenge was tough and well received and we now have our first Goodyear Ploughing Challenge national winner.'