Georgia Rebel Modified 4X4 Puller: Freedom Hall Louisville, KY

Profile

Owner / Driver / Engine & Chassis Builder: Tony O’Steen
Hometown: West Green, GA
Occupation: Cotton Gin Mgr.
Education: Ag Engineering UGA 1970
A lifetime resident of Coffee County, GA, Tony grew up on a farm in rural southern Georgia. Through high school Tony became a leading officer in Georgia 4-H and was President in 1965. After high school Tony went to the University of Georgia, met his wife Jean and got married in 1968 and graduated with a degree in Ag. Engineering in 1970. After college Tony returned to his roots in Coffee County, GA and started farming corn and soybeans and had a herd of over 100 Holstein dairy cows with his Father and two Brothers. From there Tony started truck pulling on the side and eventually earned his living that way. Some people might not consider engineering and farm work to be that closely related but everything on a farm would make it seem so. Harrowing, plowing, bedding, planting, spraying and harvesting all revolves around the performance of machines and the ability to repair them. Tony in particular has a unique perspective when it comes to truck and tractor pulling because of his background in dealing with the varying consistencies of soil. In the field or on the track, Tony has been able to squeeze the best performance out of his equipment. Tony has also attained his private pilot’s license in 1972. Aside from the track Tony enjoys time with family, football and fishing.
Driver / Crew: Hugh O’Steen
Driver / Crew: Sam O’Steen
Driver / Crew: Jason O’Steen

Achievements and Major Wins

Tony has pulled over most of eastern U.S., as far west as San Antonio, TX and once in Canada. Tony has also pulled in some of largest arenas in the eastern U.S. including the Orange Bowl, Silverdome, Astrodome, Superdome, Omni (Atlanta), Atlanta Motor Speedway, Tropicana Field (Tampa) and Coliseum (Charlotte).

History

Tony got interested in 4WD truck pulling in 1978 while helping his friend, Don Purvis with his 4WD truck. After a short time Tony built a pulling truck of his own a 1974 Ford F-250. Tony’s very first pull in Orlando, FL gave him a taste of success, that weekend he came away with a win! Tony didn’t start out pulling with the most expensive equipment but several of his competitors did. Tony especially enjoyed beating those pullers. In 1980 Tony felt the time was right to upgrade his machine and so he tried a fuel injection system instead of a carburetor, that really changed the performance of his truck and his competitors had taken notice. From there Tony progressed from competing and winning at local and state pulls to national pulls. Throughout the 1980’s Tony was a fixture at major pulling events winning several major pulls and championships. In the early 1990’s Tony scaled back pulling such a broad spread area and focused on local pulls. Near 2000 Tony began building second 4WD Modified Truck the, “Dixie Twister.” Currently Tony and his family enjoy pulling the local pulls of the Southern Pullers Association (now under the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League) mainly across southern Georgia and north Florida. Tony does however still compete nationally but on a more limited schedule.

Specs

Georgia Rebel 4WD Modified Truck 1985 Ford F-250 460 SVO Ford Block, Crower Clutch, SCS reverser and transfer case, original 1974 chassis, stock steel body over aluminum frame , 34x18x15 Dick Cepek Giant Puller tires.
Weight: 6200 lbs.
CID: 640
HP: approx. 1200
Fuel: alcohol injected
The Georgia Rebel was the first pulling truck Tony built. Originally a 1974 F-250 with paint and body work done by Tony himself, it received a newer body in 1985. The paint scheme has changed several times over the years with the artwork originally done by Bill Anderson from Baxley, GA. Many components were fabricated by Tony such as the aluminum intake, stainless exhaust headers, aluminum oil pan, hydraulic cylinders, aluminum fuel tank, aluminum valve covers and weight box. Shortening of both the front and rear-end.

Other Pullers

Throughout the years of pulling many friendships have been forged with people from across the country. Tony has been considered a good friend by many of his competitors. When pulling far away from home these friends come to rely on each other. Many times the travel to each event is an experience in itself. A puller might be broken down on the shoulder of a mountain road. Many times we have been helped in situations such as these from our fellow competitors and we also have helped others in need. This type of camaraderie extended beyond the roads we traveled on, it was found in the pits as well. Pulling can be an expensive sport so when a breakage happens the part needed is not always at the local parts store. That’s when pullers come together to help each other. I ‘m unaware of another sport that the competitors help each other so much, but I’m proud to say we’ve been a part of it. Though of many of these friendships, Tony has helped engineer several different styles of motor sport vehicles including 4WD Modifieds, TWD Blown Modifieds, drag cars and drag bikes. Tony’s engineering expertise and work ethic is well known and respected by many.

Special Thanks

First and foremost a very special thank you to Jean O’Steen, wife of Tony and mother to their 3 boys. Without her support none of this could be possible. Mom, even though we might not always show it, we appreciate you’re patience in everything we’ve done together. No amount could be written to show what you mean to us so I’ll just say thank you and we love you.
We would also like to thank:
Jim Corbett owner of Jim’s Welding and Machine, Blackshear, GA
Tri-Co. Gin, Douglas, GA
The many friends that support pulling locally