Great tractors at the Sussex Steam Rally

Posted by Chris Graham on 19th September 2024

Chris Graham reports on the interesting variety of tractors that gathered at the foot of the South Downs for this year’s Sussex Steam Rally.

The Parham Park showground sits in a sheltered valley close to Storrington.

Few events can match the picturesque setting provided at Parham Park by Lady Emma Barnard for the Sussex Steam Rally. Now in its third year at this idyllic site – which does involve a fair walk from the public car park for visitors – this event is developing and growing encouragingly, and offers all the ingredients for a great family day out.

Stuart Grime’s superb-looking 1961 David Brown 950 Implematic heads to the arena.

According to the official listing, there were just over 70 tractors entered, although we imagine that more were accepted after the programme went to press. The oldest listed was a 1929 McCormick Deering 1020, owned by John Baker, while the newest was Michael Smallbone’s 1984 Trantor Mk.2.

The Friends of Ferguson Heritage club is a regular supporter of this show.

Here, for your viewing pleasure and inspiration, are just a few of the tractors we spotted during our visit.

Paul Austen brought his ‘working clothes’, 1972 Massey Ferguson 165 from Worthing to be at this show.

This 1961 International B275 is owned by Terry Tremlett, from Ashington, in West Sussex.

Ford and Fordson tractors were outnumbered by red and grey rivals from Ferguson and Massey Ferguson at this show. Here’s Phil Blanch with his 1946 E27N, flying the flag for the blues!

This is Debbie Goddard’s original-condition 1959 Massey Ferguson 35, that had been brought to the event from Hampshire.

This Oliver HG crawler wasn’t listed in the programme so, unfortunately, we’re don’t know who owns it. But it was great to see, all the same!

This interesting machine wasn’t detailed in the programme but is, we assume, a German-built Kramer K 18, with its single-cylinder diesel engine producing 20hp.

Here’s a rare sight to see in the Sussex countryside! We think it’s a Russian DT-75M 90hp crawler tractor that was built at the giant Volgograd tractor plant from 1963 onwards.

Mick Wilkins makes his way to the show eing at the controls of his beautifully presented 1949 Field Marshall Series II.

This report comes from the latest issue of Tractor & Machinery, and you can get a money-saving subscription to this magazine simply by clicking HERE