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Pace, tire size, tire dressing, and hitch dimentions are the biggest ways to level the playing field in my opinion. The right tire with the right weighting going down the right part of the track with the right driver will win more classes with pace/tire size/tire dressing limitations than having 40 more horses than the rest of the field - assuming you have enough ponies to at least keep close to the pace speed. Pace classes are not great at drawing the average spectator, but they are good for drawing the average tractor as it gives them a place to at least be competitive. At our local club we distinguish between cut(tapered cleat) and uncut tires for every weight class, and we alternate every-other class as pace/non-pace. Typically the "hotter" tractors also have the tapered cleat, and they pull together against each other, while the "closer to stock..." tractors pull in the uncut tire classes. Every other class they get a chance to open them up it they want to so they can have the horsepower war, but then when we have the pace classes it allows for more driver skill, track monitoring, etc. to be successful. It is a nice variety in my opinion. Sometimes someone who wins the nonpace class easily can end up 4 or 5 down in the next pace class - more strategy involved. "Stock" classes are a bit of a joke in my opinion as "factory replacement" parts are available for almost every brand that are not "stock" as to the original design of the tractor. Some are noticable with a little knowledge(heads, blocks, manifolds, etc.), while others are not visible by the eye (overbore kits, cams, etc.). Just my opinions. As long as we get a chance to read the rules and feel we can bring a fairly competitive tractor within the rules, we don"t mind going to pulls that are run differently. Adds a little variety to the sport. I agree with Mel - should be a nice discussion on this topic :)
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