After six editions in Italy, Trelleborg brought its test of precision, control, and expertise to Prestwold Driving Centre in Leicestershire, inviting the country’s top tractor drivers to compete for the title of Tractor Driver of the Year. Mary Perry reports.
Upon arrival, entrants and their families, some having travelled from as far away as Cornwall, were met with an array of Valtra tractors fitted with high-performance Trelleborg tyres. A mix of concentration and nervous excitement filled the air as drivers collected their customised event caps, grabbed a hot bacon roll, and began exchanging new conversations while studying the four field challenges that lay ahead: manoeuvring, hoisting, precision parking and reverse gear.
This debut event was about more than competition; it was about community and celebration, a point reinforced by the Trelleborg team.
“Today is all about having fun, getting people off the farm, out of the tractor cab, talking, smiling and engaging in some healthy competition, as well as engaging in more of what we do as Trelleborg,” said Chris Heale, sales director for Trelleborg UK & ROI. “We’ve done this event six times in Italy, and it’s been incredibly successful there for those reasons, so we thought, let’s bring it to the UK and give it a go. It’s been a big job for us to set up, but a huge mention must go to the team at Valtra who have been fantastic in helping us; without them, this event wouldn’t have been possible!”
Valtra sales support specialist, Seth Bradford, expressed his delight in being involved in the event, “It’s great to be part of an event like this. We are delighted to have partnered with Trelleborg, which has enabled us to bring our product in front of these drivers. We have all the different models and transmissions here, and we hope that those who may not have tried a Valtra before might be pleasantly surprised by how easy they are to operate.”
Alongside the action, Trelleborg had its latest innovations on display, including the new sizes in the company’s TM Progressive Traction range and other products from the Mitas and Cultor ranges. With the clock ready to start, the anticipation was focused squarely on the field.
Speaking to a few of the competitors before the start, there was a general feeling of excitement and apprehension. Farmer influencer Ally Hunter-Blair was in a comical mood, stating he was a “terrible tractor driver, but wasn’t here to lose.” His aim was simple: “Don’t hit too many cones!”
George Weaver farmer from Newark, was entered by his dad, “The hoisting will be a big challenge for me, as I am not used to loader work, but I also don’t drive Valtra’s so we will see how I get on.”
The Challenges
The competition was structured around four distinct tests of skill, with the goal being the fastest possible time:
- Hoisting with a Valtra N175 with Loader (fitted with TM 1060 VF tyres; 600/60 R28s up front and 710/60 R38s at the rear): This challenge tested front loader finesse. Competitors transported three individual tyre-topped pallets through a tight, cone-marked course, where any obstacle hit resulted in a five-second penalty. Jonathan Burnett, a self-employed contractor, felt positive: “I enjoyed that! First time I have driven a Valtra was yesterday in the dealer’s yard, so I think that went well considering!”
- Manoeuvring with a Valtra T255 and HE-VA 3m Stealth (TM 1060 VF600/60 R30 at the front, VF710/60 R42 on the rear): Drivers navigated a delicate course with the subsoiler hitched behind, involving forward and backwards weaving through tight cone formations. TikToker Jordan Sizer was impressed: “It looks worse than it is when you are watching, but it was good! The lock on the tractor was brilliant; I was really impressed! Pressures on for the next one now!”
- Precision Parking with a Valtra SXX6 and Stewart GX 15 Flat-Bed Trailer (TM1000 ProgressiveTraction tyres, VF600/60 R34 on the front and VF710/75 R42s on the rear): This task demanded comprehensive skill. Drivers reversed and precisely hitched the trailer, transported the rig across the course, then reversed the trailer into a tight bay, unhitched, and parked the tractor.
- Reverse Gear with a Valtra Q265 and Richard Western SF18 (TM1000 ProgressiveTraction tyres, VF600/70 R30 on the front and VF650/85 R38s on the rear): A true rite of passage, this challenge required drivers to first nudge a rugby ball off a stand into a tyre below, then immediately proceed to reverse the entire rig through tight corners back to the start. Many drivers commented that the demand for speed made this far more difficult than reversing on the farm. Despite the difficulties, this task saw a winning time of just 1 minute 4 seconds, recorded by contractor Neil Sturmey.
To ensure impartiality, Trelleborg enlisted the help of Everyman Driving Experiences to manage timekeeping and host the competition groups.
Beyond the challenges, competitors were treated to hospitality. Refreshments were available trackside all day, with the highlight being a short coach trip to Prestwold Hall itself for a formal, two-course sit-down lunch.
This shift in atmosphere was noticeable; people who arrived as strangers were quickly chatting as friends, creating a clear buzz in the room. David Luxton, a farmer from North Devon, perfectly reflected the sentiment: “When you spoke to me this morning, I suppose I didn’t really know what to expect, but I can tell you now, it’s been fantastic so far! Well organised, incredible hospitality and a great laugh!”
And the winner is…
Competitors gathered anxiously by the podium, eager to see who would claim the prestigious title and the all-important bragging rights that, as Trelleborg’s Chris Heale noted, naturally accompany such an achievement.
The margins were incredibly tight across the field, a testament to the high standard of driving skill on display:
- Third Place: Jordan Sizer – Combined time: 9 minutes and 43 seconds.
- Second Place: Neil Sturmey, Combined time: 9 minutes and 32 seconds.
- Tractor Driver of the Year UK Winner: Combined time: 8 minutes and 49 seconds. This was claimed by local sheep and beef farmer, Mitchell Oldershaw.
Mitchell was quick to praise the atmosphere and the importance of the day to the farming community. “I would recommend this event to anyone!” Mitchell said. “I’ve had a great day, and my biggest takeaway is that there’s still real spirit in agriculture! I hadn’t met anyone here before, but I’ve made some lovely friends. The atmosphere has been fantastic. Right now, most of us feel the same way about farming; it’s tough, but events like this really lift our spirits. The effort and organisation from Trelleborg have been brilliant. I’d love to come back next year and hopefully see more young people enter!”
Beyond the podium
In an industry where recent NFU reports state that 94% of young farmers recognise poor mental health as a significant hidden issue, the true importance of an event like this, dedicated to community and shared experience, comes into focus.
“We all spend a lot of time on our own, and today allowed us to come together in a fun way. I am going home with some new friends, and I have had a great time!” shared Colin Young, a contractor from Wiltshire.
This positive feedback will certainly be encouraging for the Trelleborg team, who are now planning to make the UK edition of the Tractor Driver of the Year a yearly fixture on the agricultural calendar.#
The Final Results
| Driver | Overall Time |
| Mitchell Oldershaw | 8.49 |
| Neil Sturmey | 9:32 |
| Jordan Sizer | 9:43 |
| Dom Pollard | 10:25 |
| John Barnett | 10:32 |
| Granger Challis | 10:44 |
| Jonathan Burnett | 11:24 |
| Martin Hodges | 11:37 |
| Daniel Smith | 11:52 |
| Ben Everiss | 11:57 |
| Ally Hunter-Blair | 12:45 |
| George Weaver | 12:57 |
| Thomas William Burton | 13:03 |
| Neil Sutton | 14:08 |
| Andrew Brever | 14:15 |
| John Horsfield | 14:24 |
| David Luxton | 14:50 |
| Richard Waring | 15:09 |
| Jack Hillip | 15:18 |
| John Pearce | 15:40 |
| George Scudamore | 15:43 |
| Colin Young | 16:08 |
| Ryan Alder | 16:12 |
| Luke Johnson | 16:56 |
| James Russell | 17:04 |
| Will Sherrif | 17:07 |
| David Walker | 17:19 |
| Kurt Taylor | 19:37 |
