Owosso Tractor Parts
6990 W. M21
Owosso, MI 48867
1-989-729-6567
1-888-530-4554
www.owossotractorparts.com
www.bobstractorpartscorner.com
.............Updated November 29, 2007..............
Good News Folks
Thanks
to the Mackinac Bridge Authority for your support
Mackinac
Bridge featured on the History Channels Modern Marvels December 7, 2007
The
Antique Tractor Mackinac
Bridge Crossing For 2008
Has Been Approved
Date of Event: September 12th, 2008 at 3:00pm
The crossing will start in Mackinaw City, cross the bridge into St. Ignace and parade through town. The Casino has offered the Antique Tractor Parking on their property after the parade through town to show off your tractors. Bussing will be offered from town to the Casino and back. I will keep you informed as things progress but we are on our way folks so stay tuned, it's going to be a lot of fun.
Please contact me with your plans so we know how many are going to make this spectacular trip across the Mighty Mac. So far we have several tractor clubs who have committed to this event.. Check with your club organizers if you are interested.
bobscorner@owossotractorparts.com or give me a call at the store
ps. I will be adding links to this page because as you can see it's getting crowded in here.
Old News but still important.
We are working on the possibility of putting
together a group of antique tractor enthusiast who may be interested in having a
parade of Antique Tractors crossing the Mackinac
Bridge and on into St.Ignace, MI. Possibly
early September, 2008 during the Truck
Crossing.
I would like to take this time to
thank the Mackinac Bridge Authority for considering this event.
UPDATED Tuesday November 13, 2007
Antique Tractor Crossing
I had a short conversation today
with an official of the Mackinac Bridge Authority about the antique tractor
crossing and he told me that at this time things are looking pretty good for the
crossing but we do not, I repeat, do not know for sure at this time if the event
will take place. The official is trying his best to get us on the schedule
so let's hope for the best.
Truck Crossing
As for the truck crossing. In order for your truck to participate, they want lights and horn's that go beyond what you would have on your vehicle from the dealer. They want lot's of extra flashing, spinning, whatever lights you can muster up on your truck so it lights up when you cross the bridge at night. That is their main requirement. Factory lights will not do and your truck will not be in the truck crossing. So decorate your truck with lights so you can cross in the truck crossing. I will give you more details on the truck crossing as I receive them. It's going to be a great time in Da-UP.
So far I believe to have close to 100 tractor enthusiasts who have committed to the bridge crossing.
Any questions please e-mail me at bobscorner@owossotractorparts.com or call me during our business hours.
Any information I receive will be posted here so bookmark this page.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Update October 23, 2007 by Bob Baumgras, Owosso Tractor Parts 1-888-530-4554
I have been contacted by a few people who are interested in the Antique Tractor Mackinac Bridge Crossing and so far everyone I have been talking to are very interested and have some questions. I will try to explain some of them to you now, but keep in mind this is a moving target right now and what I am after is commitment. We can not organize such an event and then back out. Therefore, here are some questions I have been asked.
1. Date of the tractor crossing: Saturday morning, September 13th, 2008 This is a three day event (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) September 12th-14th 2008. This is in conjunction with the Truck Show that starts on Friday and runs through Sunday in St. Ignace.
2. Originally, we thought a late Saturday afternoon crossing from St. Ignace to Mackinaw was best. After re-thinking this, we may start in Mackinaw City and go North over the bridge into St. Ignace for a parade in downtown St. Ignace Saturday morning. I personally think this is a better plan. You can enter your truck in the night time truck crossing for Saturday evening during the dark so your lights can be seen crossing the bridge. I have never been to the truck crossing, but I have been told it is quite a sight to see.
3. Who gets to be the first to drive their antique tractor across the Mackinac bridge? At this time a lottery drawing is being considered. If you are a member of a club, your club will follow right behind you.
4. Clubs are encouraged to join and your group will stay together when crossing.
5. We are looking at parking your truck on the Mackinaw side Friday night or Saturday morning early so you have plenty of time to get your tractor ready to cross.
6. Antique tractors for this event are any tractors over 25 years old and you must be able to travel at least 10mph. Not allowed to cross are tractors with tracks or steel wheels. Only rubber tired tractors will be allowed.
7. The Mackinac Bridge Authority is still considering this event and it HAS NOT been approved as of yet. They are still making sure such an event is, first of all, safe for the bridge and those traveling on it. Second can we co-inside the event with the truck event in downtown St. Ignace and still have room for tractor display and truck parking. So far they seem to think there will be no problem with a loading and unloading area in both towns.
8. Your tractor must be in sound running condition and no oil leaks to speak of. There will be a buddy system of 3 tractors to assist in case of break down. I will explain the buddy system when the event happens but it's simple and assures that someone will always be there to assist you in the event of any mechanical problems. I am also told the Bridge Authority will be nearby to assist.
9.
Everyone must know that weather can be a factor in any event crossing the
bridge. If it is too windy you will most likely NOT be able to cross with
your umbrella (watch your hat too). Rain is another factor. If the
bridge authority calls it off, then we have to accept that decision. Maybe they
can postpone for a few hours, if necessary, instead of calling it off.
Let's hope for the best not look for the worst.
10. You do not have to leave your tractor in St. Ignace after crossing the bridge, but it would be nice to show them off for a while. There will be a staging area just for antique tractors and your truck in St. Ignace. Plan to stay the whole weekend so you don't have to hurry home.
11. Accommodations: We do not have an answer for you there yet. It would be a great time to go camping or catch a hotel for the weekend. Some I have talked to have property near the bridge and will invite their club members to stay.
12. How many tractors do we expect: That is the million dollar question at this time. I would like to see a minimum of 150 tractors but would love to see as many as we can. Just think, how often do you get a chance to cross the Mackinac bridge on a tractor. An age limit has not been set as of yet, but I'm sure there will be one. Stay tuned.
There will be more to come as time goes by. I will co-ordinate the event along with Jim Aldrich's help. I think everyone will have a great time in both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. The local businesses will appreciate your contributions as well.
You can e-mail me at bobscorner@owossotractorparts.com or call me at 1-888-530-4554 I will try my best to answer your questions.
We need to start a list of who will go so please contact me ASAP.
Please read the information below. It's important.
So, what do I need from those who are interested?
I need you to contact your tractor club and tell them about the possibility, and I stress the word possibility of a Antique Tractor crossing during the annual Truck Crossing in late September, 2008. If your group is interested how many are willing to make the trip. Have one individual from your club contact me by e-mail bobscorner@owossotractorparts.com if you are interested so we can get the ball rolling.
Remember this is just a trial run to see if there is any interest. There's NO crossing planned for Antique Tractors at this time it's just to find out if there is enough interest to plan the event.
Individuals can also cross as long as their Antique Tractor is in good running condition. Remember it is a 5 mile stretch across the Mighty Mac and then some.
Details: I have no details at this time. Remember this is just a survey to see if there is enough interest to hold such an event. Remember the first Mackinac Bridge Walk started in 1958 with only 68 people and now it is over 50,000. That proves these events take time and preparation.
Again, this is just a survey to test the feasibility of such an event.
E-mail me at bobscorner@owossotractorparts.com.
Bob Baumgras
Owosso Tractor Parts
6990 W. M21
Owosso, Michigan 48867
1-888-530-4554 Toll Free
1-989-729-6567 Local