Although Gymkhana started in the 19th century with horse riding skills over a predefined course, no one really knows how it switched to motorsport. Some say it started after WWII when American soldiers brought home small European cars and had to create a different competition than NASCAR for their lower capabilities. Others say it started in Japan with bikers showing off their skills around cones, but what we know is that it is now done with tractors too.
Remember the Traktor Terror from two years ago? The orange beast is back to entertain again, making for the most bizarre agricultural equipment we ever saw. It’s not bizarre because its shape, because it still looks like a tractor, but because of the sound and doughnuts it makes.
For those that missed the story so far, at the origins, this farming rat rod was a 1956 Volvo BM Terrier, but the guys from Vianor decided to extend its frame by 18 cm (7 inch), weld a rollbar, reinforce its front suspension and replace the old diesel with a Volvo 940 turbo engine, using a Volvo 240 head and Volvo 740 intercooler.
Then, a SAAB Turbo Prospark ignition and fuel system were added and the turbo boost was increased to 0.75 bar. Not much compared to a Supra, but the Traktor Terror puts out 225 hp and can be used almost in the same manner Ken Block tortures his rally car.
In other news, our fears have became true and the tractor managed to topple over at some point due to it’s tall center of mass and sudden change of direction. Still, no one got hurt and it was immediately put back on its all four to go drifting on the field.
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