Tractor show Saturday
By QUALA MATOCHA news@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Quala Matocha Preston Dornak stands with three of his antique tractors.

From the time he was old enough to grasp and turn a wrench, Preston Dornak was repairing something. As owner of Preston's Repair Service since 1981, he recalls working on tractors when he was just a little kid. His dad, the late Fred "Fritz" Dornak, was a farmer and they repaired their own equipment.

That love of fixing something evolved into Dornak's livelihood, as well as collecting and refurbishing antique tractors. But working on farm equipment, irrigation motors and industrial equipment are his primary business "to put food on the table. That comes first," he said.

Dornak has three antique tractors in running condition, with a couple more to refurbish. Each have their own story, Dornak explained.

One, acquired from Norris Raun, he calls "Norris." It is a Case L used in farming rice. "It has no power steering," he said. "When you drove that all day it was a chore."

The second one, a 1936 John Deere was used for row crops, like corn, grain, hay and cotton. He calls him "Johnny."

The third one, a 1946 Minneapolis Moline, was purchased from a man whose father and grandfather once owned it. It was handed down from generation to generation. "It was all steel, no rubber tires," Dornak said. He calls her "Minnie." It also had no hydraulics or power steering, but was added later.

Antique tractor pulls and shows are another hobby for Dornak. He and wife Mary Jane chaired the first Antique Tractor Show and Pull at the Wharton County Youth Fair last year. And they are doing it again this year.

The tractor pull consists of a tractor pulling a weight transfer sled down a dirt track.

"I could not do this without Mary Jane," he said.

"She is the organized one. When I told Mary Jane I was going to chair this last year, she said 'are you crazy?'" The couple were already volunteering many hours at the fair as it was.

"We help wherever we are needed," added Dornak.

Both are chairpersons of broilers and the Sale of Excellence. Mary Jane also co-chairs the Creative Arts Department and he serves on the board of directors.

The Tractor Pull and Show begins at 10 a.m. in the Johnson Arena. Those wishing to pull or show can register the day of the event. There is no entry fee, however there is a $15 hook-up fee to pull.

The tractor parade begins at 1 p.m. Tractor show entries will be awarded plaques for oldest tractor, best restored tractor and judges choice.

There are some specific guidelines to follow.

"To show or pull, a tractor must be a 1960 or older model to be eligible for trophies and awards," he said.

"And there are all ages who participate. Last year a 14-yearold girl competed."

Last year there were 77 entries. Dornak is expecting more this year.

"About half pull and some pull more than one time."