Mitchell Oldershaw claims inaugural UK title with winning time of eight minutes and 49 seconds at Prestwold Hall
Trelleborg Tires successfully launched the UK edition of its Tractor Driver of the Year competition on 16 October 2025, marking a significant milestone as the acclaimed event crossed from its Italian roots to British soil for the first time.
Held at the prestigious Prestwold Hall in Leicestershire, the inaugural UK competition brought together some of the nation's most skilled tractor operators for a day of intensive testing across a purpose-built circuit. Competitors faced a demanding series of stations designed to evaluate their agility, precision and vehicle control using a fleet of Valtra tractors fitted with Trelleborg's TM1000 ProgressiveTraction and TM1060 tyres.
After a full day of competition, Mitchell Oldershaw emerged as the UK's first-ever Tractor Driver of the Year, completing the challenging course in an impressive eight minutes and 49 seconds. His precision and speed earned him the top prize of an Everyman Racing Platinum Package.
"A big thank you to everyone for organising such a great event," said Oldershaw following his victory. "It's been a fantastic day – I came for the fun and didn't expect to win! I'm already looking forward to coming back next year to defend the title!"
The competition represents more than just a test of driving skill. For Trelleborg Tires, the event provides a vital connection point between tyre technology development and the farmers who depend on that innovation daily.
"Tractor Driver of the Year is all about putting farmers' skills to the test and showcasing real performance in the field," explained Hawra Hussain, Marketing Manager UK & ROI at Yokohama TWS. "Every detail of this event – from the venue to each challenge – was designed to create an authentic and rewarding experience. Connecting directly with farmers helps us understand their real-world needs and lets them see our tyres in action, demonstrating the superior traction and durability that drive high productivity every day."
The event's success was underpinned by technical partnerships with Valtra and Chandlers FE Ltd, who supplied the tractors and trailers used throughout the competition.
Seth Bradford, Sales Support Manager for UK & Ireland at Valtra, highlighted the synergy between the two brands: "This event has been a great opportunity to meet the agricultural community and strengthen our collaboration with Trelleborg Tires. We work together, as we offer extensive range of Trelleborg VF tyres that work seamlessly with our factory-fitted central tyre inflation system. This integrated approach enhances customisation and maximises performance and comfort in the field."
The UK launch marks an important international expansion for the Tractor Driver of the Year competition, which has established itself as a cornerstone event for farming professionals in Italy. By bringing the format to Britain, Trelleborg has demonstrated its commitment to creating hands-on platforms where agricultural operators can directly engage with advanced tyre technology whilst showcasing their expertise.
The successful debut suggests the competition will become a regular fixture in the UK agricultural calendar, celebrating the skill, technology and community spirit that define modern farming.
Tagged with: Trelleborg Tires, ProgressiveTraction, VF agricultural tyres, Valtra tractors, CTIS, soil compaction, UK farming events, Prestwold Hall, tractor skills competition, tyre performance
Disclaimer: This content may include forward-looking statements. Views expressed are not verified or endorsed by Tyre News Media.
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