I have a confession to make.  While some people are addicted to "Star Trek", "Star Wars", or even "The Dukes of Hazard", I'm addicted to the "X-Files".  Yep.  Since day one, I've been hooked on the series.  What in the world does this have to do with Monster Trucks?  Well, I used some of my travel time on the way to sunny Longview, TX this past weekend to roll through my X-Files box sets.  Oh the things you do to pass the time, right?

Anyways, Longview, TX is home to, among other things, Jack O'Diamonds Dodge.  Travis and I made a stop there on the way home from Las Vegas back in April.  The people of Longview must like their monster trucks, as the Raminator R/T wasn't the only beast on the prowl back in April.  Flame Motorsports' King Krunch and El Matador were on static display all weekend across the street at the Chevy dealer.  This time around Travis and I would find ourselves to be the only monster in town, however.  The dealership brought in five or so dump truck loads of dirt last time to make some hills in their adjoined grass lot.  The success of the truck during its first visit prompted them to leave them there, so all we had to do was set up and go.
 

The hills of Longview.

R/T taking to the streets.

Nothing too exciting happened all weekend long, which is usually good in the
case of a ride truck-only gig.  One note worth mentioning, however, is a 2006
Ram Mega Cab the dealership had on their lot. It is a Ram 1500, though it
features a live (solid) front axle.  Currently, no 1/2-ton trucks feature
anything other than IFS.  The GM of the dealership explained that the truck is
essentially a Ram 2500 with a softer spring package.  Four wheel drive buffs
might find this tid bit interesting.

Ram 1500 Mega Cab.

With the new Raminator paint scheme having been unveiled in September, a whole new to-do list has materialized.  Aside from the obvious fact that the remaining three Raminators need to have their graphics updated, and that Rammunition needs its new graphics, transporters also have to be updated.  These needs point in one direction, and one direction only:  To the Detroit suburb of Farmington Hills, home of Competition Graphics.

Travis and I peeled out of Longview on a Saturday night, hell bent for election as we made our way home so that I could head up to Detroit on Sunday.  On the way home, we ran through Arkansas on I-40 along with Greg Biffle's #66 DuraFlame
Busch car, and the 31W Busch car.  Pretty cool guys to talk to.  Anyways, we made it to the shop Sunday afternoon, in time for me to leave for Detroit.

Geremie Dishman and I found ourselves hauling Mark Hall's Raminator race truck in his transporter up to Competition Graphics to have the trailer graphics re-done. We would also be setting up the monster truck for a photo shoot for the new '06 Raminator hero cards.

Competition Graphics was started well over ten years ago by Zach Thompson, who's interest in rally and sports car racing prompted him to get into the graphics business.  Now boasting an impressive office facility and an equally impressive graphics-making shop and a dedicated staff, Competition Graphics is known throughout the motorsports world as one of the top-notch companies in their field.  Their designers have masterminded and produced graphics schemes that have appeared on race vehicles fielded by Don Schumacher Racing, Evernham Motorsports, Roush Racing, Hall Brothers Racing, and many others.  Everything from Raminator to Gary Scelzi's funny car to Kasey Kahne's NASCAR Charger to Allen Johnson's Pro Stock car, they seem to have done it all.

Front office of Competition Graphics.

Part of the CG office.

The Dodge Top Fuel Dragster designed by Competition Graphics.

CG's first Raminator design.

CG's Mopar "Bling-Bling" design.

Veteran photographer Frank Kidd was once again called upon to shoot pics of the Raminator for not just the hero cards, but for the transporter graphics as well.  You'll notice that Frank had us stage some seemingly strange angles with the
truck for the photo shoot; don't worry, it will all make sense later.  Once Frank was done taking pictures, they were uploaded into the CG computers and their design staff went to work, both on the hero card design and the transporter design.

Setting up for the photo shoot.

Frank Kidd laying down on the job.

The hauler graphics take shape.

While this was taking place, Geremie and I had tired the truck back down and backed the transporter into their work bay, so the CG shop guys could begin stripping the old vinyl graphics off of the trailer.  Someone said they were going to use a "flamethrower" to help get the graphics off.  Naturally, I assumed that was a funny nickname for a really bad heat gun.  Umm....nope.  See that flame?  Yeah, its a flamethrower!!

Caution:  Flamethrower!

Geremie and I ended up leaving the CG guys to do their thing as we departed Tuesday afternoon to head back to Champaign.  For now, you'll just have to enjoy
the teaser shot of what the hauler is going to look like, as the finished product won't be done until the end of this week.  I'll have some shots of it for you to check out sometime next week hopefully.

Now, back to my X-Files DVD's....

- KD