Chevron Selects 12 Finalists to Battle for 2010 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition Title

After sifting through potential contenders, Chevron’s brand of Delo lubricant has selected the finalists for its 2010 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition (www.DeloTractorRestorationCompetition.com). The event brings the nation’s top teen tractor restoration specialists to Indianapolis — during the 83rd National FFA Convention — to compete for the sought-after national title. Twelve finalists have been chosen to compete in this year’s event.  Projects will be presented on Wednesday, October 20 with the awards given Thursday, October 21.

The finalists and projects for the 2010 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition are:

• Abernathy FFA: Abernathy Texas  — 1947 McCormick 06
• Bureau Valley FFA: Manlius, Ill.  — 1949 Massey Harris Pony
• Devine FFA: Devine, Texas  — 1965 Allis Chalmers D21
• El Campo FFA: El Campo, Texas —  1966 Case 1200 TK
• El Campo FFA: El Campo, Texas —  1955 John Deere 70 LP
• Eufaula FFA: Eufaula, Ala. —  1948 Farmall
• Hondo FFA: Hondo, Texas —  1937 John Deere Model B
• Kerens FFA: Kerens, Texas  — 1945 Farmall M
• Lawrence Free State FFA: Lawrence, Kan.  — 1956 Farmall 300 Propane
• Northwood FFA: Nappanee, Ind. —  1961 Farmall 560 Diesel
• Cotton Center FFA: Cotton Center, Texas —  1944 Ford 2N
• Decatur FFA: Decatur, Texas  — 1970 John Deere 3020 High Crop

Since 1995, the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition has rewarded the determination, mechanical skills and business savvy of high school aged FFA members from around the country. Through the restoration of an antique tractor, participants develop skills applicable to the modern business world. The skills needed for success in the program —  equipment maintenance, teamwork, project management, budgeting, planning and marketing — help develop the participants into future leaders in the agriculture community.

All contestants to the Delo Tractor Restoration Competition have to present a workbook outlining the whole tractor restoration process, from mechanical overhauls of the engine, transmission and auxiliary and ancillary systems, to the external appearance of the tractors. The 2010 entries have been narrowed down to 12 finalists. These finalists have been invited to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis to present their projects to a panel of qualified tractor restorers. Projects will be graded on restoration process, results and documentation, as well as oral presentation and safety precautions.

The prizes are as follows:

• Champion: $5,000
• Reserve Champion: $3,000
• All Finalists: $250

Social Media Meets Tractor Restoration
Social media will play a major role at the 2010 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition. The event will be supported through a number of social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The Delo Tractor Restoration Competition Facebook page and Twitter feed will be used to post pictures, video and status updates live from the event. Videos from the 2010 Delo Tractor Restoration Competition submissions — as well as past years — can be found on the event’s YouTube channel. For those who can’t attend the event, these social media channels are the next best thing. To access Delo Tractor Restoration Competition updates online, go to:

• Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DeloTRC 
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/delotrc
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TRCAdmin

Video Competition
This year, the event will include a new component — a video competition. All projects that included a video as part of their submission (finalist and entrants alike) are eligible for this award. All videos will be placed on www.DeloTRC.com, where the public can view and vote for their favorite video — no more than one vote per day based on IP address. Members of the team with the most votes will win the new iPod Shuffle.

“Every year we are inspired by the accomplishments of our participants,” said Karen Rawls, marketing specialist, Chevron Lubricants. “What they have done goes well beyond simply fixing a tractor. Through patience, tenacity, determination and teamwork they have restored a piece of history, created lifelong memories and learned skills they can use throughout their life.  The Delo Tractor Restoration Competition is something Chevron is proud to support.”