History

The National Radio Control Truck Pulling Association (NR/CTPA) received it's start in the mid 1980's. A group of radio control enthusiasts from Pennsylvania were also fans of the very popular full size truck and tractor competitions. One day after a recent visit to watch the full size competition the group was at their local indoor R/C racetrack. Someone was out trying to drive one of the latest buggy's. When all it wanted to do was to do wheelies every time the throttle was raised. That is when one of the group asked "I wonder if that thing will pull?"

So a sled was built and the association was on its way to starting this great hobby. The group started to go around to different shows and demonstrate. This group even demonstrated at the show in Chicago we now know as the iHobby Expo. It was at these shows that they learned that they weren't the only ones doing this. There were several groups of R/C pullers. But this association was different. This group was to be the association that provided the rules and organized the hobby of radio control truck pulling.

Some where around that time it was decided that Monster Truck Racing should be added also. This was also during the time when the full size Monster truck craze was gaining in popularity. The R/C version would be much like the full size version. Timed racing events over smashed cars or obstacles.

In 1988 the NR/CTPA's first affiliated club put on what has become the Winter Super Pull. The first one was held in Pennsylvania. Somewhere north of Pittsburg. The County Line Pullers put on a great show then and still do today.

In 1989 with the R/C pulling taking root in the R/C hobby the association decided to put on a really big event. With the help of some big sponsors the first World Championships was to take place. A gymnasium at Parkland College in Champaign Illinois would be the host site. In those days there only needed to be one pulling track and one racing course. Once again the affiliation system was used to run the event. A group from Michigan provided the pulling equipment and a group from New York brought in the timing system for the racing. County Line Pullers sponsored the trophies. The event even drew in a participant from New Zealand.

The 1990 World Championships were moved to a different gymnasium. With a much larger than expected turn out, this event would prove to be a challenge. The event got under way around noon. The first round did not finish until the late evening hours. It was decided that we would run all night in order to get all three rounds in.

1991 once again had us in another location. With a new person at the helm of the association. We moved to a fairgrounds in Lafayette Indiana. The event was actually in the pig barn. Even though it turned out to be a good event.

 In 1992 the World Championships would make its move to Holiday City Ohio. Just a little dot on the map. The city was named for the Holiday Inn that we competed in. The hotel has a large atrium that we could fit everything into. The hotel has all the amenities that one would need. This includes a restaurant, lounge, swimming pool and hot tub. Many members find that they only need to park their vehicles once per event because they never leave. This hotel would prove to be our home even now, many years later. We now take both atriums and the hotel has changed to a Ramada Inn. 

Some time in the 90's the spring event was started. It is called the Spring National's fundraiser. This event got it's start so that the association could do some advertising. This event has turned out to be a big event also.

This year celebrates on October 10,11, and 12 we will have our 20th World Championships. We would be thrilled to have you join us for on this wonderful occasion.