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[ The challenge and teams | Result | Anoraks' diary | Cat-alysts' diary | Science | Related links ]
A test of pulling power
With a two-day build, the experienced Cat-alysts opted for a traditionally shaped power puller. Scavenging an old tractor from the heap and a power plant from a Ford lorry, they struggled to marry the two together.
The Anoraks chose simplicity in a large Volvo truck – although removing it from the heap took a bit of time.
Day two and their final 10 hours found the Cats napping and losing out in the chase for tyres to The Anoraks' scavengers Andy and Lyndon. The Anoraks then spent the day cutting off excess weight – the truck's Achilles heel – and building a hitch.
The Cats landed on their feet, though, and pilfered some wheels which enabled them to finish with dignity – although they did look a little tight in the seating department.
The test took the form of a pull-off between the teams down identical 60-metre ploughed tracks. The teams were to take it in turns starting with one log.
After each successful run, extra logs would be added until one team failed leaving the other as Grand final winners. With 30 tons of logs standing by, anything could happen.
Getting in shape
Using their two hours tinkering time to good advantage, the Cat-alysts filled their tyres with concrete as well as adding barrels of water inside the rear hubs in order to increase the weight on the driving wheels.
A coat of their famous pink paint and an odd manual fuel injection system completed their pre-race preparations.
The Anoraks opted for the more usual solution of filling their rear wheels with water before balancing their machine with barrels and plastering everything green.
The first pull was with a 1.3 ton log and both teams managed it easily. Upping the weight to about five tons on the second pull, The Anoraks sailed through the test. But despite starting well, the Cats' machine lost traction and, amid clouds of diesel fumes, they finally lost their crown.
On a last epic glory run, The Anoraks narrowly failed to pull nearly eight tons of logs over the finish line but their smiles said it all as they hoisted the Grand final winner's trophy aloft.