(1) Who ran the first two-stage turbocharged tractor in sled pulling?
Answer: Noble Harrison of Illinois was the first to run a two-stage turbocharged diesel tractor.
(2) Better yet, what kind of tractor and what year was it (Hint: it was a pivotal year in American tractor pulling for various other reasons as well)?
Answer: Harrison’s tractor of choice was an Allis-Chalmers 220 and it debuted in 1969, which was the same year the National Tractor Pullers Association was formed (NTPA). With an increased need to better regulate the progressing sport, officials from Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania got together in Ottawa, Illinois and the NTPA was formed.
(3) Which innovator/engineer greatly contributed to why Internationals were the tractors to beat throughout the 1970s? (Namely the 1466)
Answer: Jerry Lagod who, before starting HyperMax in 1972, worked for International as an engineer.
(4) Who pioneered the first water injection system for two-stage turbocharged tractors (diesel, of course)?
Answer: Jerry Lagod once again. In 1973, a two-stage turbocharged 1466 operated by John Thompson featured the first water-injection system.
(5) Who debuted the first turbine-engined tractor in 1974?
Answer: With the help of Bob Frock of Ohio, Art Arfons piloted the first turbine-engined tractor in the NTPA’s mod division.