STPA HISTORY
   In the early 1980’s, a machinist and pulling enthusiast in Xenia, Ohio designed and built his first nitro powered R/C pulling tractor and sled.  This early model was approximately 1/5 scale.  While fun and exciting, the size and weight were too much to easily handle.  This led to smaller nitro tractors and a smaller sled being made.  A few years later, another R/C person was convinced to build a nitro pulling truck.  These two young men attended a few of the first NR/CTPA Worlds events.  At the time, electric pulling power was the only way to go.  The interest on the national scene was minimal but the two kept trying to build their club.  Over the next few years, 1/8th and 1/10th scale nitro pullers were made and sold.  The club grew to about 20 active members.  Slowly, there were more members that lost interest then those that wanted to join the club.  Membership was dwindling.  In 1998, the two attended the Worlds again, trying to show their vehicles and generate interest in nitro pulling.  They were allowed to demo their vehicles outside, but very little interest was generated.  After that fall event, the vehicles were put on the back shelf and other interests were pursued.  
     In the mid 1990’s, three pullers spun off from the NR/CTPA and formed the STPA.  In 1999, another pulling enthusiast and machinist from Urbana, Ohio joined the club.  Early in 2000, he became the head track official.  The club grew in numbers as they went to festivals and other locations to demonstrate R/C truck and tractor pulling.  Unlike the first club, the STPA primarily pulled electric vehicles.  Eventually, a few electric trucks were converted to nitro.  This started a whole new phase of STPA pulling, from 10# nitro to 25# gas.  As members came and went, the young man from Urbana stayed with the club and became the club president.  A few years later, one of the last members to join the Xenia club, stumbled across the STPA and joined that club.  About one year later, he told the original two enthusiasts from the Xenia club about the STPA.  The two joined the STPA and are still active members today.