LOUISVILLE, Ky. — ChevronTexaco Products Company announced the grand prize winners at its 9th annual ChevronTexaco Tractor Restoration Competition.

Since 1995 the ChevronTexaco Tractor Restoration Competition has rewarded the determination, mechanical skill 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 to be successful in the program – equipment maintenance, team work, project management, budgeting, planning and marketing – help develop the participants into future leaders in the agriculture community.

“The communication of knowledge is a core concept at ChevronTexaco, and this program is a perfect example,” said Kurt Schulte, Commercial Automotive Specialist, ChevronTexaco Global Lubricants. “To finish their projects these kids seek out knowledge from their teachers, advisors, family, friends and community. More importantly, they learn from each other. A program that inspires kids to ask questions, interact, learn, and in the end accomplish the incredible, is something ChevronTexaco is proud to support.”

The 2004 ChevronTexaco Tractor Restoration Competition finalists span the country from California to New York. All entrants were required to submit a workbook that detailed the entire tractor restoration process, from mechanical overhauls of the engine, transmission and auxiliary and ancillary systems, to the external appearance of the tractors. Entries were narrowed down to eight finalists in the individual competition and six finalists in the chapter competition. These finalists were invited to the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. to present their projects to a panel of five professional tractor restorers, who have judged the competition since its inception. Projects were graded on restoration process, results and documentation, as well as oral presentation and safety precautions.

Individual Winners, FFA Chapter, Location and Restoration Project:Grand Prize – Tabetha Salsbury, Pueblo County FFA, Pueblo, CO – 1928 John Deere D; 1st Runner-Up – Randolph Haass, Devine FFA, Devine, TX – 1941 Case SC; 2nd Runner-Up Jordan Tate, West Prairie FFA, Good Hope, IL – 1949 John Deere A;

Chapter Winners, FFA Chapter, Location and Restoration Project:Grand Prize: Cotton Center FFA, Cotton Center, TX – 1939 John Deere H, Cotton Center FFA Team: Jesse Masters, Heath Reeves, Sara Barr, Jessica Caswell, Nikki Edwards, Brittany Swoap, KC Garcia, Toby Castilleja, Amy Davis, Cody Heath,
Jennifer Heath, Julie Heath, Brenda Marquez; 1st Runner-Up: Decatur FFA, Decatur, TX – 1966 John Deere Decatur FFA Team: Cody Hubbard, Billy O’Connor, Laramie Redwine, Neal Llewellyn,
Shane Raney, Tanner Slagle, Mitch Bradford, Ben Saunders, Kris Handlon, Logan Park, Scotty Moore, Yates McCurdy; 2nd Runner-Up: Abernathy FFA, Abernathy, TX – 1955 Oliver Super 88, Abernathy FFA Team: Chase Watson, Tuson Speer, J.P. Montgomery, Mychal Littlecreek, Roger May, Bergan Bybee, David Mendoza

The prizes in each category (individual and chapter) are as follows: grand prize: $2500, first runner up: $1500 and second runner Up: $1000

For more information, visit www.ffa.org