The Jamestown Stirrer

In 1980, the Jamestown Apex Club was formed. Later that year, they hosted their very first tractor pull, drawing in favourites like Mallee Muncha 2 and Plum Crazy. The event was a success, and by 1982, the Apex Club decided to build a tractor of their own.

With the help of Kevin Kelly, David “Dick” Pammenter and Neville Harvle, the team pieced together the machine using the rear end of an old Chamberlain tractor, the front suspension from a Volkswagen, and two Ford 302 V8s.

Backing the build was local company Hunts Fuel, which was owned by David Hunt. His nickname was “Stirrer
”. In return for sponsorship, the tractor proudly carried the name Jamestown Stirrer.

Stirrer quickly earned a reputation not just for its performance but also for its personality. After one event, Kevin, Dick and Neville stopped in Whyalla. They parked Stirrer in front of the KFC and headed into a pub for a few beers. While chatting with some young locals about the tractor and sport, they decided to head back outside, climb into the tractor, and start it up in the middle of Main Street. They gave it a good rev.

Over the next few years, the Stirrer competed at local events and travelled to places like Rudall and Balaklava. Eventually, the cost of transport became too much, and the Stirrer was retired to Dick’s farm shed. The engines were removed, but the chassis remained.

Dick sadly passed away in 2010, and Stirrer was forgotten for many years. Unfortunately, it was eventually scrapped.

Thank you Kevin for having a chat with us today and for finding the pictures. It’s stories like these that keep the history of pulling alive!