Tinkering Around
Dornaks head up Antique Tractor Pull
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
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.

Preston Dornak stands beside "Minnie," a 1946 Minneapolis-Moline he uses in antique tractor pulling events. While he and Minnie won't be competing in the Wharton County Youth Fair Antique Tractor Pull this Saturday, he and his wife Mary Jane are heading up the event. In the background are Johnny (1936 John Deere) and Norris, a Case L once belonging to the late Norris Raun. Fixing up old tractors comes naturally for the man who grew up in a farming family. L-N Photo by Quala Matocha

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. Tinkering with old tractors and bringing them back to life is a hobby he truly loves.

Best Restored '07 Will, Debbie and Morgan Chappell of El Campo won Best Restored with this 1937-B John Deere tractor at the first annual Wharton County Youth Fair's Antique Tractor Pull and Show last year. This particular tractor once belonged to Debbie's grandfather, Ed Derrich. Contributed Photo

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 (un-styled) 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. As it proceeds, the weight travels and exerts pressure on the sled causing the tractor to come to a stop.

"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. But Dornak suggests participants get there early to avoid the crowd. 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-year-old girl competed."

Using the Texas Antique Tractor Pull Association rules, the event will be judged in several categories. Tractors will be classed according to weight, with 16 divisions and four classes in each one. Trophies will be given to first place winners in each class. Pulls range between 3,100 pounds up to 11,600.

Last year there were 77 entries. Dornak is expecting more this year. "About half pull and some pull more than one time."

He and Mary Jane count on local support too, along with assistance from their daughter Stacie Williamson, grandsons Tyler and Ryan Williamson and the Chappell family.

"The Chappells (Morgan and Debbie Chappell and son Will) are a big help," he said. According to Dornak, the three have been a great help in getting the word out to other antique tractor owners.

"The Chappells won best restored tractor last year," Dornak added.

Dornak won't be pulling any of his tractors, however when he does, he takes "Minnie." Someone gave him another Minneapolis-Moline he anticipates repairing.

"I am going to resurrect it and pull with it in the future," he said.

The Dornaks have been volunteering at the fair since daughter Stacie showed broilers in about 1984.

Stacie won grand champion broiler in 1985. And Curtis showed a little bit of everything, from broilers, pigs, rabbits, dairy, pen of three to beef merit heifers. Over the course of his fair participation, he won grand champion pig, reserve and third place.

"People ask, 'Why do we volunteer at the fair?' And I say 'because we just like to.'"