COORS LIGHT MONSTER TRUCK
& JET CAR JAM
MAY 6TH, 2006 - FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
The Raceway officials provided a media patio that was very nice for us to
work from. However right next to us, looking down the track, was
another larger patio that was rented out to the Purcell Tire and Rubber
Company and their employees. So with them up against their fence, it
was very hard for Lynn to shoot around them. I introduced myself to
Dave Bogar, their Retail Sales Manager and explained the problem.
Being a very nice guy, he told Lynn to come around and use the left hand
corner of their patio, where she was able to get some great shots.
We want to thank them for their hospitality. Myself, I was not able
to get any good shots at first as I was just too far away from the action.
After moving to the stands, I started getting some decent pictures.
You can learn more about Purcell Tire and Rubber Company, located in
Glendale, AZ, at
www.purcelltire.com. In the Wheelie contest, Dan Runte in Summit Bigfoot, Dave Harkey in Snake Bite, and Brad Campbell in Monster Moose all did a nice job, while Jason Grill in Public Disturbance and Chuck Warner in Hot Wheels had a really hard time getting their trucks up for a wheelie.
In the end, the Wheelie Contest was about three drivers. Sam and Ronnie Sturges, along with Linsey Weenk, all put on outstanding performances. Sam Sturges never disappoints in a wheelie contest and did a great job tonight, but it came down to Ronnie Sturges and Linsey Weenk. Both of these drivers put on unique moves that excited the crowd, along with the announcer. Ronnie was up first, he put on some spectacular Wheelies, but a move that put him above the rest, was not your typical rear-wheel wheelie. Ronnie made a sharp turn on this narrow track, went up on his right two tires and performed a sideways wheelie. I have no idea if this is something he has been working on or if it was complete accident that it happened and he went with it. This is something you will need to ask Ronnie about; however it sure excited the crowd!! Linsey Weenk’s turn came and he also put up some great Wheelies, but he also had a unique move to show the crowd. Linsey took Iron Outlaw up into a wheelie, then he would slow down, let the front tires go down, hit the pavement, let them bounce, hit the gas and go into another wheelie. Linsey performed this move up and down the track a few times and the crowd loved it!! Trophy time came down to Ronnie Sturges and Linsey Weenk, with Linsey taking the victory by crowd applause and the trophy!!
Next up was the Donut Contest, which put two Freestyle World Champions up against each other!! Jimmy Creten in Bounty Hunter and Tom Meents in Maximum Destruction. First thing we all must remember is they are doing this on a drag strip, so space is very limited. Jimmy was up first and as usual he put on an awesome display that excited everyone, to include the guy taking pictures. Jimmy came out of the pits, at a slow pace listening to the crowd roar at the appearance of Bounty Hunter. He drove down to the far end of the stands to start the donut show. Remembering that he is on a drag strip and has a narrow area to work with, it takes a couple times to do an awesome donut. He tries once and his rear wheels hit the concrete barrier as he is sliding, but he gets it going and puts on an great performance for the people on that side of the track. Jimmy came down towards the start and did donuts for the fans on the other side of the track. He did donuts one way, then donuts the other way. Jimmy went back down the track and started over. Great job by Jimmy and the crowd let him know how much they appreciated it!!
Next up was the one and only Tom Meents!! Tom came out of the pits in Maximum Destruction and sped down the straight away to the far end of the stands. Tom initially had the same problem that Jimmy Creten did getting started, with a little sliding and his wheels hitting the barrier. Once Tom got started though, he was like a wild man behind the wheel, as he did donuts up the track towards the front of the stands, first one way then the other all the way back. He kept the engine roaring the whole time!! After he was finished, he sped back to the end and pointed Maximum Destruction towards the pits and let it idle down the track, as he climbed out of the truck, stood on top of the truck and waved to the crowd!! Tom did all that with Maximum Destruction moving slowly back towards the pits. After the crowd vote, it was Tom Meents accepting the trophy for a well-deserved win!!
With the Wheelie and Donut contests over, only one thing was left . . . Freestyle!! Click below to see action from the Monster Truck Freestyle Competition!! |