The 43rd Lions Super Pull of the South got off to a great start with a big crowd for Friday night’s first session before an unexpected summer storm washed out Saturday’s finale.

“Obviously Saturday evening's pull didn't happen, but Friday evening's event was phenomenal,” Chapel Hill Lions Club president Jill Smelser said. “In fact it was the best Friday night pull we have had in at least the last three years.”

Although summer storms are a normal occurrence, Saturday night’s weather event was fairly rare as it came in from the east and lasted for several hours, dumping three to four inches of rain with heavy storms that contained dangerous lightning.

“The weather Saturday evening was totally unexpected, we knew there was a chance of a few pop-up showers, something that is normal in Middle Tennessee in the middle of July, but the intensity and duration of the storm was nothing that could have been planned for,” Smelser said. “Safety is the number one priority for everyone involved in the pull from the workers to the pullers to the spectators.”

It was only third time in the 43 years of the event that a session was cancelled due to rain.

The biggest loss of the weekend was the sudden passing of National Tractor Pull Association (NTPA) legend Larry Koester, who died in his sleep early Saturday morning.

“We were all saddened at the loss of Larry Koester,” Smelser said. “I personally met him for the first time last Thursday, and he left quite the impression on me.”

“He was a fantastic ambassador for his sport and such a kind, fun, energetic person to be around. He will be greatly missed.”

After being severely burned and losing his legs in a mowing accident at his Indiana home in 1986, Koester began his pulling career in 1987 and his passion and determination guided Koester to the pinnacle of the sport as he drove his Modified Mini “Footloose” machine to Grand National championships in 2001, 2006, and 2008.

The four-time Puller of the Year was an inspiration to everyone who met him or watched the Wadesville, Indiana native roar down the 320-foot track, especially his two children Ashley (Corzine) and son Adam, who both followed their father into the sport of racing.

Corzine and her husband Craig own and drive “Burn Notice” and “Second Degree” trucks in the NTPA’s 6,200 lb. Super Modified Two-Wheel Drive division and Adam Koester pulls the Modified Mini tractors “Beast of Burden” and “Walk the Line.”

Adam Koester won Rookie of the Year in 2005 and is a two-time Grand National Champion (2006, 2016) while also being known as one of the renowned engine builders in the country, supplying racing motors to over 250 racers and pullers all over the world.

Also surviving are his wife of 38 years, Coral “Caesar” Koester; mother, Vernita Koester; four grandchildren; and seven siblings.

Larry Koester finished in sixth place in his final event Friday night, while Adam took seventh place in his “Beast of Burden” 2,050 lb. Open Modified Mini Tractor machine and 13th place in his “Walk the Line” tractor in the same class.

Larry Koester never gave up, he lived his life to the fullest, and was an inspiration to thousands, making everyone he came in contact with smile, including all the children he helped by his favorite charity, the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Reese Shelton from New London, North Carolina won the division in his “Cuttin’ Up” mini-tractor.

Jim Holman (Wauseon, Ohio) took first place in the 6,200 Modified Four-Wheel Truck Class in his “4-Play” truck, Darrin Hunt (Herndon, Kentucky) won the 10,000 lb. Pro Stock Tractor Class in his “D2 Pro Stock Edition” machine, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania’s Colin Ross guided his 8,000 lb. Super Stock Diesel Tractor “Triple Bypass” to victory lane, and Joe Elder from North Collins, New York drove his “Polar Air” to a 26 ft. win in the 8,000 lb. Unlimited Modified Tractor Class.

For full results from Friday night’s Super Pull of the South, go to http://www.ntpapull.com/results.

Putting on the event is a 365-day job that takes an all-out effort from all the Tractor Pull volunteers with help from the entire community.

“Our volunteers are amazing and The Lions Club appreciates each and every one and all involved put their hearts and souls into making this event the very best it can be,” Smelser said. “You cannot imagine the amount of man hours that go into making this pull happen each and every year.”

“I am so grateful and awed by how the residents of this community come together to work for the benefit of all who live here, we are so disappointed and sorry to have let people down on Saturday evening, but I can honestly say every option was considered before the pull was cancelled.”

Smelser added. “I am humbled and grateful to be a part of this community and honored to be this year’s president of the Chapel Hill Lions Club. A club that continues to give back to their community and who lives the club motto that "We Serve". Thank you to all who come, some from many miles away, and support this event each and every year. We appreciate you all.”