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6/28/08

- Monster Blog
Weekend Update!!

- Countdown Begins to All-New Sudden Impact Racing Website!!

6/27/08

- Shakopee Monster Truck Challenge Photos!!

6/24/08

- Monster Truck Summer Slam Will Rock Garden City This Weekend!!

- McMurray Speedway Monster Truck Motor-sports Spectacular!!

6/22/08

- Jimmy Creten Completes Clean Sweep of MTC Shakopee!!

6/21/08

- Bounty Hunter Sweeps MTC Season Opener!!

6/20/08

- MEGA Promotions Summer Tour Update!!

- Monster Spectacular Tour Update!!

- New "Exhuast Fumes" Blog Entry!!

6/19/08

- KSR-Motorsports Press Release!!

6/16/08

- Monster Truck Challenge Season Opener This Weekend!!

- Hall Brothers Racing Press Release!!

6/15/08

- Monster Truck Mania Highlight Video!!

- Special Events PR: Seasock Returns to Bloomsburg As World Champion!!

- Obsession Racing Press Release!!

6/14/08

- McGruff Sweeps Racing, Sturges Dual Freestyle Finale!!

6/13/08

- Nasty Boy, McGruff Take Wins Friday Night In Tucson!!

6/12/08

- Tucson Tournament of Destruction This Weekend!!

6/10/08

- Monster Spectacular Tour Update!!

- This Weekend's Davenport, IA Monster Truck Mania Rescheduled

6/09/08

- Lima 4 Wheel Jambo Photo Gallery!!

6/08/08

- Tail Gator Sweeps Racing in Memphis, Pouncer & Screamin' Demon Split Freestyle!!

- Rebel Pride Racing Sweeps In Springdale!!

6/06/08

- Monster Truck Mania Coming to Memphis, TN Tomorrow!!

- BIGFOOT 4x4 Looking for Display Driver!!

6/05/08

- Monster Spectacular Tour Update!!

6/02/08

- MLMT to Postpone 2008 Racing Season

- Outlaw Monster Truck Spectacular Signs New National Sponsors!!

6/01/08

- TMB TV Episode #3:

O'Reilly Outlaw Nat's!!

 

   

 

        

   

TheMonsterBlog.com Weekend Update!!:  TheMonsterBlog.com is back on the road this weekend with teams in Springfield, IL and Sedalia, MO!!  Monster Blog Staff Members Kyle Doyle and Colby Marshall are in Springfield for the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals featuring Tail Gator, Raminator, Rammunition, Batman, Monster Mutt, Avenger and Brutus, while Staff Members Ross Z. Bonar & Shane Skinner are in Sedalia, MO for the MEGA Monster Truck Tour featuring Bounty Hunter, King Krunch, El Matador, Viper and Bearfoot. We'll have tons of photos and video from each event, so stay tuned as we update you on all the action. If you're in area, we encourage you to come on out and check out these events--you won't be sorry--head over to www.FamilyEvents.com and www.MEGAPromotionsTour.com for more info!!  (06/28/08)

Countdown Begins to the All-New Sudden Impact Website!!:  (Jefferson, LA) The Sudden Impact Racing team is pleased to announce the launch of their newly re-designed website, www.SuddenImpact.com. The new site is not only user-friendly and easy to navigate, but features some great new content previously unavailable. The site will be updated frequently with photos and vidoes, news, interviews, press releases, as well as other multi-media content such as desktop wallpapers. "We are extremely pleased with how the new site has turned out," said SIR team co-owner Brandon Lagarde. "Taking care of our fans and sponsors is our number one priority, and with this new site that will help us do an even better job of meeting that goal."
     Early visitors to the site may experience small glitches, as a few aspects of the site are still being tested and refined. Be sure to visit the site frequently, as frequent updates will be the name of the game. So wether you are new to monsters or a hard-core Traxxas T-Maxx or Amsoil Sudden Impact fan, make sure you bookmark www.SuddenImpact.com now--the launch is less than a day away!!  (06/28/08)

Shakopee, MN Monster Truck Challenge Photo Gallery!!:  Now you can see all the action from the Monster Truck Challenge season opener at Raceway Park Shakopee, courtesy of our good friend Josh Kirscher!!  Check out all the photos from Jimmy Creten's domination of the MTC opener by clicking the link below. Thanks again to Josh for the great shots!!  (06/27/08)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW JOSH KIRSCHER'S MONSTER TRUCK CHALLENGE PHOTOS!!

(FAN PHOTO GALLERY)

Monster Truck Summer Slam Will Rock Garden City This Weekend!!:  (Bridgeport, TX) Checkered Flag Productions is coming to Kansas to show the Garden City fans what a monster truck show is all about, with the Summer Slam!!  The lineup of stars set to compete Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM is incredible, including the KING of the Monster Trucks, Bigfoot!!  Bigfoot is coming back to Garden City and look who else is slated to do battle: T-Maxx, Sudden Impact, Twisted Dragon, Pit Bull, Redneck Barbie and Shell Camino!!  They will all there to make Bigfoot run harder than ever before--come meet the drivers and see the trucks up close at the Pit Party, which begins at 5:30PM both nights.

     Not only is there monster truck racing and freestyle, but in addition, local riders can race their ATV Quads over a mini-cross type track with several jumps to let them get some air. Local drivers will also be out in force in their tuff trucks running over the obstacle course.
     Again Joe Bogner of Western Beverage and Budwesier, The King of Beer, will be involved and we are so proud to also announce that this event is being sponsored by O'Reilly Auto Parts!
     Discount advance tickets are on sale now at all Western Kansas O'Reilly Auto Parts Stores or for customer convenience we have tickets available through the CFP Office where people can charge them to their MasterCard or VISA and pick them up at the gate. Our office is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and the phone number is (940) 683-4742. Advance tickets purchased by credit card through the CFP office must me completed by Thursday June 26th. So come on and join the fun…all the stars will be out!  This event will be run rain or shine as the Finney County Fairgrounds Grandstand in Garden City has a roof over the top. So come rain or shine, let's go racing Southwest Kansas, CFP-style!!  For more information, check out www.CheckeredFlagProductions.com!! (06/24/08)

McMurray Speedway Monster Truck Motorsports Spectacular!!:  The monster trucks are coming to McMurray Speedway in Ft. McMurray, Alberta July 19th-20th!!  Maniac, Rock Star, Jurassic Attack and Deal Breaker are slated to participate in the first Monster Truck Motorsports Spectacular Saturday the 19th at 7:00PM and Sunday the 20th at 2:00PM. The event will also feature the high flying action of freestyle motocross. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the stars during a pre-show Pit Party, Saturday at 5:30PM and Sunday at 12:30PM. Click the poster below for more information and don't miss out on your chance to see the monster trucks i Ft. McMurray!!  (06/24/08)

Click image above to view full poster!

Creten Completes Weekend Sweep In Shakopee!!:  The Monster Truck Challenge series wrapped up its opening weekend Satuday night at Raceway Park Shakopee and it was once again Jimmy Creten and Bounty Hunter dominating the competition. After taking the top spot in qualifying for the second night in a row, Creten defeated Jon Zimmer in Amsoil T-Maxx to make his way to the finals, while Dan Patrick in Samson took down Devin Jones in Barbarian in the other semi-final round match-up. Creten simply couldn't be stopped on the Shakopee Z-course, and drove his way back to victory lane in racing. Freestyle would once again see strong runs from Devin Jones in Barbarian and Jon Zimmer in T-Maxx, but when it was all said and done, Bounty Hunter was at the top of the score chart with a 29. The freestyle win was the final touch on a perfect weekend for Creten, with the accomplishment all the more impressive due to the strong Shakopee lineup. A big thanks to our good friend Josh Kirscher for the rundown and the teaser photo, be watching for a full gallery coming soon!!  (06/22/08)

Bounty Hunter Sweeps MTC Opener In Shakopee!!:  The Monster Truck Challenge season opener rocked Raceway Park Shakopee in suburban Minneapolis last night and it was Jimmy Creten in Bounty Hunter taking the clean sweep on night one!!  Creten began the night by taking the top spot in qualifying over Mark Hall in Raminator and Dan Patrick in Samson. Those three are expected to be the primary contenders for the 2008 MTC Championship, and they proved they would be the ones to beat in Shakopee. The semi-finals came down to HBR teammates Mark Hall in Raminator and Geremie Dishman in Rammunition, with Dishman managing to pull off the win against the boss. In the other semi-final match-up, two of the fastest from qualifying would face off with Creten in Bounty Hunter taking down Patrick in Samson. The finals match-up proved to be a close race, but there would be no beating Jimmy Creten on the tricky Shakopee s-course this night as he took the win over Dishman in Rammunition.

     Freestyle would get wild in a hurry as Devin Jones was a man on a mission in Barbarian, laying down a great run for a score of 28 early in the competition. Jon Zimmer in T-Maxx aimed high with a strong run, but came up short, earning a score of 26. Only one truck was left, and it was Jimmy Creten looking for the sweep in Bounty Hunter. Creten put down a great freestyle, but would it be good enough to defeat Barbarian?  The scores came up 10, 10, 10 for a 30, giving Bounty Hunter the freestyle win and the evening sweep in the 2008 Monster Truck Challenge series season opener. He'll be the one everyone is gunning for tonight in Shakopee as round two of MTC is set for this evening. A big thanks to our good friend Josh Kirscher for the results and recap, we'll have the rundown from tonight's show as well, so stay tuned!!  (06/21/08)

MEGA Promotions Tour Summer Update!!:  (Denton, TX) The MEGA Promotions Summer Tour is in full swing, with two events in the books and more on the way!!  It all started two weeks ago in Sheridan, WY, which is known for the outlaw attitude and Buffalo Bill Cody certainly instilled it into the community, because it got real wild in the mud. June 7th, 2008 was a date to remember when the MEGA Monster Truck Tour rolled into town for the annual event. Rain had plagued the arena for the whole week until ½ hour before opening ceremonies.

     All the Monster Truck Drivers said it would be no problem to give the Wyoming faithful a good show, despite the inclement weather. After 3 rounds of racing, Ron Duncombe in the Maverik Monster Trakker took the first place finish over Rich Blackburne’s Viper. Bill Payne in Rock Star took 3rd in racing over his own Deal Breaker machine, driven by Jamie Rush after taking over for a short summer stint. In freestyle, donuts were no problem in the thick mud as Maverik made it a clean sweep for the night with an awesome display of power and combinations.

     Last weekend Hollywood Hills Speedway, located just north of Albuquerque, NM, played host to the first ever Monster Truck Madness presented by the www.MEGAPromotionsTour.com  crew. A sold out crowd of over 8,000 people were ready to rock. The second stop on the summer '08 tour saw 3 rounds of racing and Ron Duncombe in the Maverik Monster Trakker would take another first place finish, beating up on the Pit Bull owned and operated by Charles Benns, the hometown boy. Kirk Dabney in Monster Patrol finished 3rd in racing over Rich Blackburne’s Viper, while 5th went to Willd Thang and 6th went to Airborne Ranger.
     In freestyle breakage ran rampid as Wild Thang had a cam issue, Pit Bull broke a front input shaft and Viper had throttle problems. Maverik lost a tranny, so Kirk Dabney took his years of experience to the track and tore the place up. Ranger Joe Cypher went crazy in the rejuvenated Airborne Ranger GMC and took it to the limit, but it wouldn't be enough to defeat Dabney and Monster Patrol when it was all said and done. Our thanks to Hollywood Hills Casino and Speedway, Bobby Seals, and all who made this great event possible.

     This weekend the MEGA Promotions Tour will be in Kalispell, MT with a stacked lineup including Bounty Hunter, Iron Outlaw, Rock Star, Deal Breaker, and Airborne Ranger. Bounty Hunter, Kreg Christensen in Iron Outlaw, and Bill Payne in Rock Star??  You know freestyle is going to be out of this world!!  The tour continues next weekend in Sedalia, MO at the State Fair Speedway with another outstanding lineup including Bounty Hunter, King Krunch, El Matador, Viper and Captain USA. Check out www.MEGAPromotionsTour.com for more information!!  (06/20/08)

Monster Spectacular Tour Update - Ottawa!!:  (By Doug DeNance) The formula is simple. Mix winning virtually every Monster Truck Racing Competition with winning virtually every Monster Truck Wheelie Contest. Then add winning virtually every Monster Truck Freestyle performance – even when the clock is variable and the score is kept secret. Shake well, stir in 1500 horsepower, slather liberally with a whipped up coating of exuberant fans and cook until every track is smokin’. And voilà – serve up a sixth Monster Spectacular Canadian Tour Championship.
     The author of this award winning recipe is none other than Black Stallion driver Mike Vaters. The secret ingredient? A monster truck named Black Stallion, driven by a man who has been winning with monster trucks for more than half his life. The result? A record setting even half dozen Monster Spectacular Canadian Championships, the latest awarded at his Tour finale performance in Ottawa.
     Throughout dozens of shows in every corner of Canada, Mike Vaters lost only one round of racing during the entire 2008 Monster Spectacular Tour – to the defending Champion Jimmy Creten and Bounty Hunter. Black Stallion lost only 3 wheelie competitions – two to Creten and one to the General. While Chris Arel does not reveal the Monster Truck Freestyle scores, the man behind Monster Spectacular said “As I recall, there was only one Freestyle Competition (Moncton) where Mike did not score the most points from our judges and track officials, regardless of the time he had on our variable clock system. I don’t believe we have ever seen a driver that has been so consistent in 20 years of Monster Spectacular Tours.”
     Consistency may be another of Vaters' secrets. He revealed a few secrets this Tour, including using a bicycle tire tube to seal a leaking monster truck tire on the rim and using his performance on Kamikaze, the jet powered ATV, to scope out the tackiness of the concrete tracks. However, it was his continual logging of massive mileage on his hauler that may have ultimately helped him win his sixth Monster Spectacular title. While he loves his hometown of Hagerstown, Maryland and his fans across the USA and has performed all over the world, Vaters it seems has a soft spot for the fans in Canada. “The fans here are so enthusiastic”’ said Vaters. “Heck, the Monster Spectacular announcer gets more excited than I do”, chuckled the Champion.
     Competing often may be another secret revealed, but winning is never guaranteed – unless you compete at the level that Mike Vaters does each and every time he mounts up in Black Stallion. A soft spoken man with a wicked sense of humour, Vaters is not one to do a great deal of boasting on the microphone. For example, during both shows in Ottawa, Chris Bergeron, the driver of Brutus and “Mr. Excitement” himself, Avenger driver Jim Koehler tried to bait Vaters with trash talking during the VIP Pit Party interviews. “Vaters is a veteran, he’s been driving for 45 years,” said Koehler, exaggerating the career of Vaters beyond his age. “I’m here to put Mike Vaters on the trailer”, said Bergeron, as the big dog barked in front of Brutus.
     Vaters response was typically low key. “Look, I’d like to be able to drive Black Stallion onto my hauler at the end of the night”, said Vaters. “But if I have to shovel it onto that semi, that’s what I’ll do”, smiled the driver of Black Stallion.
     Pushed to Wheelie wins by an absolutely vertical Trey Myers in Iron Warrior and ultimately that were close enough to send Vaters and Bergeron to a cheer off backed up Vaters' willingness to put his motor where his mouth is. Convincing Racing wins each show could have been the icing on the cake. However, Freestyle took it to another level.
     Known for incredible freestyle performances, Bergeron did not disappoint. Powering Brutus up onto two wheels that looked like a guaranteed roll over, Bergeron showed his considerable skill by driving out of undeniable disaster – saving Brutus twice in one run. Koehler, the former World Freestyle Champion, twisted Avenger into donuts that quickly evolved into classic pivoting cyclones. Koehler whirled his ’57 Chevy styled monster truck in place so rapidly that the quickest cameras in the building recorded only a blur of green amidst the smoke of burning terra tires. Avenger crew chief Steve Koehler explained the technical tactics, “It’s the lockers on Avenger. With the wheels spinning identically, you sacrifice a bit of binding in the tight turns in these arenas to get a donut like that”.
     Strapped tightly into the seat of Black Stallion, Vaters blue eyes narrowed as he watched Avenger turn. Behind his eyes the wheels were turning inside Vaters head. He knew that he needed a championship calibre performance beyond anything he had faced so far on the Tour. As quick as thunder, those eyes flashing like the lightening that earlier had knocked out the power in the Ottawa arena, Vaters stormed onto the track. First pass, a quick car crush in the short track direction, binding the brakes to stand Black Stallion on its nose, then a patented Mike Vaters “Reverser” over the same car stack. A liquid smooth pivot turn, air over the stack in the wrong direction and another Reverser, this time with even bigger air. Wheelies, Tail Walks - shredding crush cars by dragging the wheelie bar across the stacks, Pogos - bouncing that wheelie bar down onto the cars from two stories up in the air and more rounded out Black Stallion’s freestyle run. Then just when it seemed it was over, Vaters cranked the front and rear steering simultaneously to screech Black Stallion’s front end to a stop inches from the end boards of the hockey arena. Roaring the engine while standing on the brakes, Vaters suddenly spurred Black Stallion to a full gallop, hurtling backwards toward the van stack. Hardly touching the van, Black Stallion flew toward the gleaming mercury lights in the arena roof like Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology. Vaters got so much air in this third Reverser that he barely reined in Black Stallion just before hitting the arena end boards at the opposite end of the track.
     Fans and drivers alike mobbed the newly crowned Monster Spectacular Champion, including Bob Robbins, who had won his way into the Racing semi finals each show and Dave Wapole, the 47 year old driver of the old school coil over shocked Screamin’ Demon (“We’re putting sway bars on her next week”). A tender moment was the congratulatory hug Vaters received from his 20 year old son, who is adding two wheel fame to the Vaters name in Freestyle Motocross. Michael Vaters II had dazzled the crowd near the opening of each show by performing such FMX tricks as a Jackhammer and the Rock Solid.
     Perhaps the only hand missing for Vaters to shake was that of the now former Monster Spectacular Champion Jimmy Creten. The Bounty Hunter driver was on the other side of the country in Victoria, striving to capture the last few points while entertaining an additional set of Monster Spectacular fans as Creten anchored the west version of double finale simultaneous cross country shows of the Tour. No doubt the new Tour will see Vaters and Creten shake hands as they both shake the hands of other equally famous drivers when the next Monster Spectacular shows heat up the Great White North. Will it next be lucky number 7 for Vaters? Be sure to visit www.MonsterSpectacular.com for your chance to be a witness live and in person as Vaters chases a seventh Monster Spectacular Championship!!  (06/20/08)

New Exhaust Fumes Blog Entry!!:  KD's latest column -- Click here to view. (06/20/08)

KSR Motorsports Coming to the Vermont State Fairgrounds!!:  (Exton, PA) Monster Truck Fans are you ready!!  KSR Motorsports is proud to bring high flyin' monster truck action back to the Vermont State Fairgrounds June 27th-28th. The excitement of the 2008 Night of Fire and Destruction Tour is bound to blow you away. Five of the badest monsters in the world are ready to compete for the Vermont State Freestyle Championship. Trucks like Dominator, Tow Mater, Storm Damage, Killer Bee, and Easyriders are ready to tear it up in Rutland.

If you like the two wheel action then get ready as World Record Holder Doug Danger performs a 19 car Evel Knievel Tribute Jump. KSR is also bringing the best of the best Hollywood Stunts back to the Vermont State Fairgrounds, including Lou the Rocket Re as well as the Thrillmaster Crash Moreau. For advance tickets, head on over to www.VermontStateFair.net. (06/19/08)

Monster Truck Challenge Season Opener This Weekend!!:  (St. Louis, MO) This weekend marks the beginning of the 2008 Monster Truck Challenge series at Raceway Park in Shakopee, MN!!  Qualifying begins at 5:00 pm for the 8-truck field featuring Bounty Hunter, Raminator, Samson, T-Maxx, Barbarian, Rammunition, War Wagon, and Sudden Impact. Immediately following qualifying will be a trackside pre-race concert featuring Nashville recording artist, The Harters. Bring your sharpie so while the band plays you can get up close and personal with the drivers and get your autographs. Final eliminations, the monster truck freestyle competition, and freestyle motocross (including the backflip) begin at 7:00 pm.

     Adult seats start at just $20 with advance purchase. But upgrade to "The Bounty Hunter Section" for just $10 more and receive prime seating right in the middle of it all to witness all the action on the famous Monster Truck Challenge "S" track at Raceway Park. VIP Supercharger seats include VIP Parking right by the main entrance, Early Entry begining at 4:00 pm for a private auotgraph session with the drivers, and a free monster truck t-shirt. AND don't forget to bring your cameras becuase as a special bonus, VIP Supercharger ticket holders will now get the exclusive opportunity to go down on the track immediately following the event to have their picture taken beside the winning driver in victory lane!!
     Tickets are available online now at www.Ticketmaster.com, and be sure to check out www.MonsterTruckChallenge.com to view the television commercial and for more information on this weekend's event!!  (06/16/08)

June A Busy Month For Hall Brothers Racing!!:  (Champaign, IL) Hall Brothers Racing (HBR) drivers Mark Hall and Geremie Dishman performed an exhibition at Raceway Park in Shakopee, MN on Friday, June 13 in advance of this weekend’s Monster Truck Challenge Series opener at that facility. “Those Minnesota fans are hungry for some good monster truck racing…and we’re ready to give it to them,” said Tim Hall. “I think this is a great place to debut the new Monster Truck Challenge Series!”  The track hosts the weekly NASCAR Whelen Racing Series, and this is its first foray into monster truck racing.

     On June 28th, the team begins a fast-paced 48 hours. One Raminator will be on display during the day at Heller Dodge in Pontiac, IL; then will travel to American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, IL for an evening appearance at the stock car races. Another Raminator will be on display the 28th and 29th at St. Mary's Chrysler in St. Mary's OH. That same weekend, another Raminator and Rammunition will attempt to continue their incredible winning streak of 10 straight final round wins at the 4 Wheel & Off Road Jamboree Nationals in Springfield, IL.
     Fans attending the Jamboree are encouraged to stop by the HBR pit area to see the latest offerings from radio-controlled vehicle manufacturer Losi. Representatives from Losi will be demonstrating several of their products, including the popular Raminator and Rammunition replicas. Also at the HBR pit area, fans will have the opportunity to register to win a new Dodge as part of a Dodge Motorsports national promotion!
     HBR is also pleased to announce a brand new initiative as part of their ongoing relationship with Dodge. Beginning with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event in Memphis, TN on June 27-28, HBR will administer a Dodge NASCAR display program at select Craftsman Truck Series, Nationwide Series, and Sprint Cup Series events. “We felt honored when Dodge approached us with this opportunity,” said Tim Hall. “Obviously this is a very important program to them, and they are trusting us to do it right. “ HBR will retrofit one of its transporters to accommodate the NASCAR vehicles and display, and will be making appearances at several events this year and next year.
     For more information on the Hall Brothers Racing team and the Raminator and Rammunition monster trucks, head on over to www.Raminator.com!! (06/16/08)

Monster Truck Mania Highlight Video!!:  TheMonsterBlog.com Highlight Video from last weekend's Nationwide Motorsports Monster Truck Mania from the Show Place Arena in Memphis, TN is now online, courtesy of Special Contributor Colby Marshall!!  See all the action as Tail Gator, Predator, Big Dawg, Pouncer, and Screamin' Demon battle in wheelie, racing, and freestyle competitions, all presented in superior quality footage from Colby Marshall. Thanks to Colby for another great video, and to the folks with Nationwide Motorsports for their hospitality. Check out the video now by clicking the link below!! (06/15/08)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEMPHIS, TN MONSTER TRUCK MANIA HIGHLIGHT VIDEO!!

(VIDEO GALLERY)

Seasock Returns to Bloomsburg As World Champion!!:  (Indianapolis, IN) John Seasock is one of only two monster truck drivers to win back-to-back world championships. Seasock, of Frackville, PA, has driven the Batman truck since 2007 and has been a monster truck driver for nearly 18 years. Seasock’s first racing championship came in his first year in Batman when he drove to victory over the legendary Grave Digger® at the World Finals in Las Vegas. The two trucks will face off again at the Toyo Tires Summer 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. They will compete along with nine other top monster trucks on July 11, 12 & 13, 2008.

     John Seasock used to go to the 4-Wheel Jamboree in Bloomsburg as a regular attendee and dream about one day driving a monster truck. He says: “I used to go up there with my street pickup truck and pay for a ticket to get in and watch the monster trucks. I thought, man that would be cool! I wanted to do that. Now I get to go up there and perform. I’m just like everybody else. We all started out with big trucks. It shows everybody that you can follow your dreams.”
     Now, Seasock returns to Bloomsburg for the first time as world champion. “That is cool! I’m excited! Bloomsburg is my home town show. I live about twenty minutes from Bloomsburg. So, to be able to take my truck close to home is going to be phenomenal. All the monster truck guys, we all had mud boggers and stuff and we all went to truck shows and we all thought how cool it would be. That’s where it all starts—with a dream. So, it’s great to be close to home and take on all the challengers. We’ll take them on one a time just like we did in Vegas and try to put that Batman truck in the finals and show everybody in Bloomsburg why we are number one in the world!” Seasock says.
     Seasock’s defeat of the legendary Grave Digger to win his first world racing championship in 2007 followed by his backup second win this year has meant a great deal to his career: “It’s phenomenal. On a personal level, it’s a dream come true. Everybody wants to be the best in their field. To really appreciate it, you have to go to Vegas because the jumps are so huge, the speeds are phenomenal, and there are 50,000 people there from all over the world. There is somebody from every state, thirteen countries are represented, every province in Canada. It is amazing. And now we travel through Europe. I just came back from Costa Rica. To be able to be called the world champion is something I am extremely proud of. It’s a dream come true. This year, we won again; we backed it up and proved that last year wasn’t a fluke. There are only two of us who have ever won back to back, Tom Meents and me.”
     Seasock knows first-hand how much fun the Bloomsburg 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals can be. He says, “Of all the Jamborees, Bloomsburg is my favorite. Not necessarily because it’s the closest one to my house, but it’s the atmosphere there—the midway, the show-n-shine trucks, it’s something for everybody to see. It’s a full day. It’s a carnival for gearheads. There is something there for everybody, which is cool. Everybody around here looks forward to the Jamboree coming in July. It’s something they plan vacations around.”
     He expects a lot of friends and fans to show up for the Jamboree and the competition among eleven top monster trucks. Seasock says, “It’s going to be crazy. It’s going to be mobbed. Everybody has been coming up to me excited to see the truck and to see me up there again. The last time I was there performing was years ago with T-Maxx and with my old truck, Sudden Impact. So it’s going to be great to be up there with my new truck, the world champion truck. The season is going fantastic and I’m just looking forward to getting out there with the fans and showing everybody the Batman truck and why we are the world champion. I’m having a blast being the champion and I want to keep it going.”
     In addition to Seasock’s Batman truck and Grave Digger, other monster trucks competing at the Toyo Tires Summer 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Bloomsburg will include Monster Mutt, Bigfoot, Avenger, Black Stallion, Instigator, Iron Warrior, Raminator, Rammunition, and Spike. There will be side-by-side Monster Truck Thunder Drags® action as well as axle-wrenching freestyles on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 11, 13 & 13 on a specially designed course in front of the grandstand at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Check out www.FamilyEvents.com for more information on the upcoming 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Bloomsburg!!  (06/15/08)

Obsession Racing Update!!:  (Menifee, CA) Obsession Racing has just completed a very successful Northwestern tour. In six racing events, Rick Swanson had three semi-final round appearances and three final round victories in three different cities and two different states. The tour started in Monroe, Washington over Memorial Day weekend. Saturday night was Obsession’s night to shine with Rick taking the final round victory. On Sunday Rick made it to the semi-finals, falling to David Smith in King Krunch, who is always tough. In the last six events in Monroe, Washington Rick has won four of them and went to the semi-finals in the other two.

     From Monroe, Rick headed to Spokane, Washington where the Obsession truck has not raced in over ten years. This was also a Friday and Saturday night show. Spokane was a very tight course. You started by jumping five cars into a tight u turn which gave you 250 feet into another u turn. Then you went back over the cars and across the finish line. With this tight course and rain on and off throughout the weekend, it made every round more challenging. Rick rose to the occassion by taking the final win on both Friday and Saturday night.
     Before we left Spokane, Jill flew home to tend to her mother who fell and broke her hip. Our son Eric stayed with Rick, enjoying traveling with Dad as well as friends on the King Krunch and Natural High racing teams, on to the next event in Missoula, Montana. During the week in between they still ended up competing against each other at a go kart track in Spokane. Eric was thrilled with being able to compete against the big boys and took the win in the go kart competition.
     In Missoula, Montana it was another two night event. Obsession went to the semi finals both nights. It was a very unique track and weather played a big part in racing on both nights. On Saturday night Rick probably did one of his best freestyles of the year. It was nice to be back home and we are looking forward to having the next three events close to home. Check out www.ObsessionRacing.com for more information!!  (06/15/08)

McGruff Sweeps Racing, Sturges Dual Freestyle Finale!!:  This year's second Tournament of Destruction weekend in Tucson, AZ is in the books!!  Murph McCrorey started the night off by narrowly defeating Ronnie Sturges in Nasty Boy in straight line racing. The finals of Chicago-style racing would come down to the same two drivers, and both were running hard for the win. Ronnie Sturges made a jaw-dropping save to keep from rolling Nasty Boy in the final corner, handing the win to McCrorey. But the win would come at a price, as McGruff would be done for the night after experiencing mechanical difficulty. To cap off the evening's action, the hometown team of Sam and Ronnie Sturges delighted the Tucson fans with a great dual freestyle finale featuring strong runs from both drivers. Thanks to Dale Penn and the Tournament of Destruction staff for another fun weekend, and to Staff Members Lauren & Lynette Bonar for the updates--be watching for their coverage from the event coming soon!! (06/14/08)

Nasty Boy, McGruff Take Wins Friday In Tucson!!:  The Tournament of Destruction began its second weekend of competition at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds Friday night, with Nasty Boy and McGruff taking wins. Ronnie Sturges defeated Murph McCrorey in McGruff in the finals of straight line racing, while McCrorey took down Sam Sturges in Unnamed & Untamed in the Chicago-style racing finals. Freestyle would see good runs all around, but it was Ronnie Sturges taking the win in Nasty Boy. The event was also the debut of Gary Schott's new Terminator truck, and its sharp-looking new scheme. The monsters are back in action Saturday night in Tucson, thanks to Staff Members Lauren & Lynette Bonar for the updates!!  (06/13/08)

Tournament of Destruction This Weekend!!:  Tucson, Arizona's Tournament of Destruction is back at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds this Friday and Saturday, with Unnamed & Untamed, Nasty Boy, McGruff and the debut of Gary Schott's new Terminator monster truck!!  The trucks will compete in straight line and Chicago-style racing, as well as a freestyle competition. Other entertainment includes a demolition derby and tough trucks. Tickets at the gate are $15 and kids 3 and under enter for free!!  For more info, visit www.TournamentofDestruction.net or call (520) 712-RAGE. TheMonsterBlog.com will be on hand for the weekend's events so stay tuned for updates and coverage!!  (06/12/08)

Monster Spectacular Tour Update - Strathmore!!: (By Doug DeNance) "Yipee-Ki-Ya, Monster Truckers!"  It only seems appropriate to modify Bruce Willis’ famous line from the Die Hard movie franchise as Monster Spectacular fans and competitors were Bruce Willis tough in spite of Die Hard conditions as the 20th Anniversary Tour rode roughshod into the Heritage Days Rodeo Arena. The rain soaked, mud filled track didn’t bother the hundreds and hundreds of fans who crammed together under the covered grandstands for two incredible shows. However, there was one potential fan who braved the elements to get a little too up close and personal with the crush cars.
     The Monster Spectacular moved to the great outdoors in Strathmore, Alberta located just 20 minutes east of the million people plus in Calgary. Many of those people swarmed the tiny town to see some of the biggest names in monster trucks, including former World Freestyle Champion and defending Monster Spectacular Champion, Jimmy Creten and Bounty Hunter in what amounted to a throw back to old school monster truck shows, particularly on the first day.
     Howling wind and pounding rain had not only turned the track into a course worthy of the best mud boggers, but even wrecked havoc with the sound system – forcing the announcer to use a megaphone to keep fans informed of the action insights. Creten had to resort to creating his very own makeshift “garage”, tying tarps to the fencing that formed the rodeo livestock chutes so that he could work on Bounty Hunter prior to the shows. Unable to climb out of the trucks for fear of being swallowed up into the quagmire of mud and with no sound system for interviews, Creten and the other monster truck drivers decided to let the trucks do the talking.
     If the weather and the track conditions weren’t enough of a challenge, the track officials decided to see how the trucks would fair hitting the Wheelie Contest from the ramp side of the car stacks. Typically during a Wheelie Contest, monster trucks will hit the fresh cars travelling the opposite direction to side by side racing because the intention is to go straight up off the lip of the anchor car as opposed to straight forward over the entire stack. In the same way the monster drivers embraced the wild weather to entertain the fans, they accepted this challenge in stride - recognizing the intent was to allow them to get a longer run at the cars in consideration of the lack of traction in the mud.
     The larger lugs on the tires of the only Canadian truck in the crowd appeared to give Kathy Wills the traction edge for TNT in the Wheelie Contest. But the big Ford’s front engine mount cancelled that advantage for TNT, arcing the truck into a nose dive as it slammed down on the final car. It was classic car crushing in the old school tradition, but not enough to win the crowd’s top cheers in a Wheelie Contest.
     Martial Law, Godzilla and Iron Outlaw each took a run, each choosing a different stack, but the racing ramps seemed to do their job, sending the trucks forward rather than skyward. As Creten lined up Bounty Hunter, a hush fell over the crowd. Creten then backed up, further and further until his truck was literally out of the rodeo arena area and onto the horse course. Roaring in response to Creten stabbing the throttle, Bounty Hunter raced toward the stack. At the last second Creten eased off the throttle ever so slightly and Bounty Hunter’s nose dipped down toward the racing ramp. In a brilliant display of track reading, Creten had loaded the front shocks just as Bounty Hunter eased onto the car stack. Creten then called the 555 cubic inch engine to life again, rocking Bounty Hunter backwards as the front shocks unloaded. Bounty Hunter soared toward the low hanging rain clouds like a rainbow bringing the promise of a pot of gold. Creten reaped his own pot of gold reward with the cheers of the crowd and a Wheelie win.
     While that win was clear cut, Monster Truck Drag Racing was another matter. Blasting through the brackets, the Bounty Hunter team faced off in the Racing Finals. At the flag drop, both Iron Outlaw and Bounty Hunter launched off the line. Perhaps it was the experience of an extra run on the racing ramps during the Wheelie competition. Maybe it was the confidence of winning their way through the brackets. Regardless, both trucks responded identically, simultaneously travelling across the car stacks as one and arriving at the finish line at exactly the same time. The track officials looked at each other, looked at the crowd, then back at each other. It was an undeniable bonafide tie. As one truck must receive the winner’s points towards the Monster Spectacular Championship, the only resolution was to hold - for the first time on the 20th Anniversary Tour - a tiebreaker race.
     Like "dejavu all over again” (to quote the late Yogi Berra), Bounty Hunter and Iron Outlaw were staged to the line. Was it the wind gusting across the track? Was it the sheets of rain splattering across the line of vision of the drivers? Was it simply adrenaline fuelled split second reaction time? Or was it a false start? No matter how the question was asked, Bounty Hunter answered by leaping ahead of Iron Outlaw at the start and racing to the win. Whatever answer was offered, the Monster Racing tiebreaker created controversy and conjecture in the pits later that evening.
     Another topic of discussion in the pits that night was the car that was “eaten” by the monster transformer Megsaurus. Rather, it was what was found earlier inside that car. Godzilla driver Steve Hearely was working on constructing the track, moving crush cars into position with a large loader. As he slid the forks under one crush car he noticed movement in the car targeted to be devoured by the fire breathing mechanized monster. The typically unflappable Hearely was startled by what he saw – he had awoken a person sleeping inside the crush car. Apparently some fans will do about anything to get close to the action – or perhaps to get out of the rain.
     The rain continued to be a factor for the Monster Spectacular. Track conditions became treacherous enough to modify the Wheelie Contest. Points still had to be awarded towards the overall Tour Championship, but the modified competition now served a dual purpose. Top points were awarded to the winner and the Time Trial Contest also allowed the fans to be entertained by the set up of the new brackets for Monster Truck Racing. Perhaps smarting from the controversial Racing win the night before, Creten blasted through the elusive 2 second mark over five cars and posted 1.94 as the fast Time Trial time. While Kathy Wills used the deeper treads on TNT’s tires to win her way to the semi final, it came down to Bounty Hunter versus Iron Outlaw once again for the Racing win. This time there was no controversy, as Bounty Hunter clearly defeated Creten’s team mate for the win.
     The final Monster Truck Freestyle really showcased the incredible driving artistry of the drivers. The larger canvass of the outdoor track lifted the space constraints of the indoor arenas and allowed the monster truck artists to paint an impressionistic freeform freestyle with 10,000 pounds of creativity at their fingertips. The mud even added its own color, splattering from under spinning tires like a tsunami of brown. Steaming rain soaked engines spewing forth froths of mist, massive air leaps with glistening trucks followed by trailing raindrops like diamonds dripping off a rapper’s wrist, whirling donuts peaking out from behind a wall of mud. All images that would be burned into the memories of Monster Spectacular fans on a day of inclement weather. But to somehow pull not one, but two slap wheelies when all four wheels are whizzing on water slick mud was the Bounty Hunter bonanza offered up by Jimmy Creten. No wonder the fans flooded the autograph session after the show.
     Like a rain swollen river spilling over its banks, the spring leg of the Monster Spectacular courses to a finish with an overflow of excitement. Simultaneous shows in Victoria, B.C and Ottawa, Ontario offer twice the opportunity for fans to witness firsthand the tightest Tour Championship competition in recent memory. Will you be one of them? Find out right now at www.MonsterSpectacular.com. (06/10/08)

Monster Truck Challenge Returns to Middletown, NY:  The 2008 Monster Truck Challenge series continues to get even bigger as the series announced its return to Middletown, New York's Orange County Fair Speedway July 16th-17th!!  The Checker Schucks Kragen-sponsored Bounty Hunter and other top monster trucks will race at one of Monster Truck Challenge's most storied venues, which is currently slated to be stop #2 on the championship tour. The season opener at Raceway Park Shakopee near Minneapolis, MN is just over a week away. so be sure to check out www.MonsterTruckChallenge.com for more information!!  (06/10/08)

This Weekend's Davenport, IA Monster Truck Mania Rescheduled:  (Mays Landing, NJ) Due to the recent storms and with more storms expected over the weekend. The Mississippi Valley Fair today made a decision to reschedule the upcoming Monster Truck Mania event that was originally scheduled for June 14, 2008. A new date will be announced for the event in the following week. We apologize to our fans for any inconvenience this change may of caused. Keep checking www.NationwideMotorsportsLLC.com and www.TheMonsterBlog.com for the new event date along with more information on upcoming Monster Truck Mania Events. (06/10/08)

More Photos From the Lima 4-Wheel Jamboree!!:  Monster Blog Staff Member Paul Harry's photos from the Lima, OH 4 Wheel Jamboree Nationals are now online!!  We revisit this year's classic Lima weekend with another huge photo gallery, almost 200 of Paul's best shots from all the weekend's activities now available. Check 'em out now by clicking the link below!!  (06/09/08)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PAUL M. HARRY'S LIMA 4 WHEEL JAMBOREE PHOTOS!!

(BLOG PHOTO GALLERY)

Tail Gator Sweeps Racing In Memphis, Pouncer & Screamin' Demon Split Freestyle!!: The Monster Truck Mania tour rolled into Memphis, TN for two action packed shows Saturday. The lineup featured five top trucks competing including Tail Gator, Predator, Big Dawg, Pouncer and Screamin' Demon, along with the Voodoo Monster ride truck, who was also in attendance. Monster Blog Special Contributor Colby Marshall was on hand for all of the action.
     Tail Gator kicked off the early show with a great wheelie down the middle of the track. Predator broke a shock and would be out for the first show, leaving four trucks to battle it out for the racing and freestyle wins. Noelke would keep the momentum going by taking the top spot in qualifying. He then beat team mate Dale Gerding in Big Dawg in the first round, while Lenny Kuilder in Pouncer took down Dave Waple in the Screamin' Demon. Waple beat Gerding for third place, while Noelke kept it going beating Kuilder in Pouncer for the racing win. Freestyle would also come down to Tail Gator and Pouncer, and Kuilder managed to break Noelke's streak, winning the crowd cheer-off for the victory.
     The Saturday night show once again started off with a wheelie contest but this time it was Pouncer keeping the momentum going and taking the win after standing it straight up and down. Predator Racing looked to be on a mission as Allen Pezo in Predator claimed the top spot in qualifying and earning a first round bye. Noelke would pilot Tail Gator past Waple and Screamin Demon, while Kuilder in Pouncer would defeat Gerding in Big Dawg. Gerding would be the fast loser, but would fall to Pezo in Predator in the semi-finals while Noelke beat Kuilder for a final round berth. In a classic match-up against two of the top trucks and drivers out there, Noelke just edged out Pezo, making it a Gator sweep of racing.
     Freestyle saw Noelke lead off, setting the bar high by standing the truck straight up and down on the van stack. Pouncer had a great run going until the truck lost oil pressure. Dave Waple then brought Screamin' Demon out and he was up to the challenge, laying down a nice run. After battery problems cut short Allen Pezo's run, the crowd cheer-off came down to Tail Gator and Screamin' Demon. Screamin' Demon would get the nod and it was a great win for Dave Waple, reportedly his first in a freestyle competition.
     Stay tuned for a great highlight video featuring all the action from the two shows courtesy of our good friend Colby Marshall. The Monster Truck Mania tour now heads to Davenport, IA for two shows this Saturday, June 14th. Don't miss out as the Big Dawg 4x4 team returns to take on Bobby Holman's Beast and Iron Man trucks, along with one of the best freestylers in monster trucks, Larry Quick and his Ghost Ryder. For more information on the event, please check out www.NationwideMotorsportsLLC.com!!  (06/08/08)

Rebel Pride Racing Sweeps In Springdale!!:  The Monster Truck Racing Super Series returned to Parsons Stadium in Springdale, AR this weekend for two big shows Friday and Saturday night!!  Mike Hawkins returned to Springdale ready to headline in the Equalizer, but he would have to take on Devin Jones in Barbarian, impressive rookie teammate Troy Rose in the Hot Tamale, John White in Brute Force, and Stephen Hill in Monkey'N Around. The competition wasn't ready for Hawkins Friday night as he swept the evening's event, taking straight line and Chicago-style racing wins over teammate Rose, and then taking freestyle with a strong run highlighted by his trademark cyclones. The only chink in Hawkins' armor this weekend came Saturday as Troy Rose drove Hot Tamale to an upset win over Hawkins in Chicago-style racing. Hawkins would once again take straight line drags and the freestyle win, making the weekend a clean sweep for Rebel Pride Racing. Thanks to Monster Blog Special Contributor Kaedon Berry for the recap and watch for some of his footage here on the site in the coming weeks!! (06/08/08)

Monster Truck Mania is Coming To Memphis, TN Tomorrow!!:  (Mays Landing, NJ) Are you looking for some heart pounding, adrenaline rushing excitement that is sure to be fun for the whole family? If so, then we have exactly what your looking for!  Monster Truck Mania presented by Nationwide Motorsports, LLC is coming to Memphis, TN on June 7th, 2008 and all seats are just $10! That's right, all seats are just $10 and kids 3 and under are FREE. Come on out to the Agri-center Show Place Arena on June 7th to witness two great shows at 2PM and 8PM.

     Don't miss your chance to see some of the biggest names in Monster Trucks for only $10! The lineup includes Tail Gator, Predator, Big Dawg, Screamin' Demon and Pouncer. Come see these superstars battle it out in a Wheelie Contest, Qualifying, Side-by-Side Racing and Monster Truck Freestyle!
     The excitement on the track doesn't stop there!  Special guest Scooter the Monster Truck Clown will be on hand providing thrills and laughs for the whole family. Want to experience what it is like to ride in a Monster Truck?  Then be sure to check out the Voodoo Monster Ride Truck. Rides will be offered before the show, during intermission and after that show.
     Get your tickets now through www.NationwideMotorsportsLLC.com, www.Ticketmaster.com  and www.TicketWeb.com.  Tickets will also be available at the Agricenter Show Place Arena the day of show. All seats are just $10!  Kids 3 and under are FREE!
     Be sure to arrive early for the Monster Truck Pit Party, which is free with a ticket to the event. The Pit Party takes place 1 hour before show time. For more information on this and other Monster Truck Mania events, check out www.NationwideMotorsportsLLC.com!!

UPDATE:  Monster Truck Mania is tomorrow in Memphis, don't miss out!!  Monster Blog Special Contributor Colby Marshall will be on hand for both shows, so be watching for a great highlight video from Colby right here on the site early next week!! (06/06/08)

BIGFOOT 4x4 Looking for Display Driver!!: (Hazelwood, MO) BIGFOOT 4x4, Inc. is looking for an individual to work our Firestone display package. This is a great opportunity to get into the monster truck industry. Almost all of our race truck drivers started in this position. Rick Long, Keith Sturgeon, Rodney Tweedy and Jerry Dalton have all started their racing careers as a display driver. We are looking for a clean cut, self motivated person.

     This position requires (a lot of) travel, interacting with our customers and the public. You must have a clean driving record and a class A CDL license. We do offer vacation and health insurance. If you are interested please contact Bob Trent at bigevents@bigfoot4x4.com or by calling 314-731-8112 ext. 108. Check out www.Bigfoot4x4.com for more info!!  (06/06/08)

Monster Spectacular Tour Update - Cranbrook / Kelowna!!: (By Doug DeNance) Typically, the news about being “first” involves the competitors who have earned the right to participate in the Monster Spectacular Canadian Tour. Monster truck drivers campaign all year to be a part of this monstrously spectacular spectacle all across the great white north.
     In reality, the real winners of the Monster Spectacular 20th Anniversary Tour are not the men and women who sit inside the trucks. However, sometimes these winners are seen on the track. And in Kelowna, for the very first time, they had an insider’s perspective right there in the thick of the pits. Of course, these winners are the Monster Spectacular fans – especially the fans who take advantage of an incredible opportunity that is unique to Monster Spectacular.
     Before he formed Chris Arel Motorsports and created the Monster Spectacular, Arel was a driver of such renowned monster trucks as Weapon One and Superfoot. More importantly, before becoming a driver, Arel was a monster truck fan. He has never forgotten the awe and excitement he experienced as a fan and strives to make every show the greatest fan experience possible.
     To do this, Arel is always working to make the Monster Spectacular shows are jam packed with excitement. He attracts the top privateers in the business as he did for the shows in Cranbrook and Kelowna - including defending Monster Spectacular Champion Jimmy Creten and Bounty Hunter. He keeps the monster freestyle scores secret for the entire tour to encourage top performances by every driver every time they hit the track at the end of a show. And he introduces unique competitions like the "Bag of Tricks" in Freestyle Motocross and adds enhancements like mechanized monster transformers. But this time, Arel took the fan experience over the top through his exclusive fan "V.I.P." offer.
     Fans have always been able to access a Monster Spectacular V.I.P. pass that gives them the opportunity to roam the track and rub shoulders with the competitors before and after the show. They have often even been able to visit the track for autographs during the intermission. But for the first time, fan V.I.P.s were invited deeper into the world of the Monster Spectacular for an exclusive intermission visit to the actual monster pits that are hidden out of sight during the show.
     Fan V.I.P.s saw such insider views as a monster truck sitting on the small tires that replace the huge terra tires during transport. Monsters won't fit inside the semi trailer truck haulers unless the 66 inch "monster" tires are removed. Kathy Wills, the driver of Canada's TNT, had made the trip to Kelowna after driving in Cranbrook, but was unable to perform due to a badly damaged ankle on her brake foot side. "I'm kind of embarrassed to have fans see my truck on it's 'baby' tires’ and not driving in the show, but it's really great for fans to get this sneak peak behind the scenes", said Wills.
     The V.I.P. fans watched (and covered their ears) as big Brad Campbell stood on the frame over the engine of Public Disturbance. He was struggling, wrenching and revving the 496 cubic inch engine by pulling on the throttle cable. His concern proved prophetic, blowing up the $35,000 dollar engine the next day.
     V.I.P.s met "Hulk", the drooling English bulldog who stood guard over the thousands of dollars of parts in Jen Campbell's Monster Moose hauler. They watched security stand guard between the two warring Extreme Quad Racing (XQR) teams. They had an exclusive preview of Glactron and Reptar, the transformer combatants. And they met the future stars of Monster Spectacular, Braden Mare and his protégé Cruz Kastor.
     Readers of previous Monster Spectacular columns have been introduced to Braden, the young monster race truck driver in training. Driving Firestorm, one of the finest monster ride trucks in the world, gives him valuable "seat time". Hours and hours of delighting fans by driving a full sized, 12-foot-tall, 10,000 pound monster ride truck with a race ready engine and rear steering without automatic "self-centering" that requires the driver to center the monster sized rear tires, provides Braden the hands on experience that will no doubt one day help make him the next "overnight sensation" on the monster truck circuit.
     Even before he has hit the spotlight himself, Braden is already grooming the generation to follow him. Nine year old Cruz is the son of the monster truck man who first inspired Braden. A few years ago in Braden’s hometown of Princeton, B.C. Cruz's father, Ron Kastor, had begun work building a monster race truck. A monster truck fan since before he attended kindergarten, Braden quickly fell in love with the evolving truck, to be named Runnin’ II Wild after Kastor’s original mud racer. Kastor took young Braden under his wing, giving Braden the chance to wrench, weld and literally build the truck from the ground up. Together the worked every weekend for three years crafting the truck, while Kastor put Braden through his apprenticeship for metal fabrication. The crowning moment was to be when Braden would drive the truck to his high school graduation. Sadly, just before the graduation ceremony, Kastor passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Braden never forgot the kindness his mentor had shown him. Braden now is paying that debt forward, taking young Cruz with him to learn the art of monster trucks by working side by side on Firestorm. While today that race truck sits idle, waiting to fulfill its destiny, some day soon watch for Braden and Cruz to live their dream of running Runnin’ II Wild at Monster Spectacular.
     The stars of today were a dream come true for every fan attending the Okanogan series of Monster Spectacular shows. In the Cranbrook Monster Wheelie Contest, Ged Barcroft stood his truck up past the apex of vertical and then proceeded to drive in the upright position, dragging the wheel bar of Sheer Insanity across the cars and spitting shrapnel all over the track. After his win, the rather microphone-shy driver, originally from Manchester, England, quoted the late, great Jesse Birgy, the driver of Playin’ for Keeps who just recently passed away. “It’s just another day at the office”, said Barcroft.
     After watching Barcroft wow the crowd as he won the Wheelie Contest, Steve Hearley must decided he wanted to get Godzilla in on the wheelie action too. Fresh off a racing win, defeating Paul Strong in Marital Law, Hearley mentioned how he was using his 15 years of driving experience to assist Strong in learning the monster truck racing ropes. He even providing Strong some the custom blue duct tape that Hearley carries to repair the body damage he tends to inflict on Godzilla. “Someday he’ll beat me”, said Hearley. “But not tonight.”
     But during Monster Freestyle, it was an uncrushable van stack that defeated Godzilla. Roaring into a huge wheelie on the top of the van, the van stayed intact and then the entire stack suddenly slipped under Godzilla’s spinning rear tires. Like a giant tree falling under the logger’s axe, Godzilla slowly toppled to the passenger side and then crashed down, shattering shards of blue body on the concrete. While Hearley loves the color blue, he was a bit blue about the damage to his brand new Godzilla body. But it lasted only until the crowd came to its collective feet and then literally came apart in their cheers for Hearley. “Well, I’ve got to break in that new Godzilla body somehow”, said a grinning Hearley. Maybe Strong will surrender some of that borrowed blue duct tape?
     Jimmy Creten decided to get in on his own wheelie action, tearing the tailgate off Bounty Hunter in Kelowna on Saturday night. While Bounty Hunter won the Wheelie Contest and Racing in both Kelowna shows, the wins didn’t come easy for Creten, thanks mainly to his team mate. Sixteen year veteran Kreg Christianson drove Iron Outlaw with seemingly the sole purpose to drive Creten crazy. During Wheelies, Christianson would launch Iron Outlaw into a massive arcing wheelie, clearing the car stack. This forced Creten to use all 1800 horsepower to lift Bounty Hunter straight up into the rafters, landing vertically on the fifth car and smacking flat on his tailgate. Christianson then forced Creten to a photo finish in racing. “Passion” and “intensity” individually describe the drivers of Iron Outlaw and Bounty Hunter, but the fans described the performance as simply “awesome”.
     While body damage is regrettable on the monster trucks, it is a different story when there is body damage to one of the Monster Spectacular performers. While Arel personally supervises safety on the track, by its very nature motorsports entertainment is inherently dangerous. Perhaps no event is more dangerous than Freestyle Motocross. Despite the best safety practices possible, FMX managed to inflict some body damage on rider Morgan Kalazuk. After a number of successful jumps, the young FMX star from Vernon, B.C., launched off the takeoff ramp and seemed to be coming up short to the landing. Kalazuk twisted the throttle hard to use the gyroscopic action of the spinning back wheel to lift the front of the bike up. While he touched down on the landing ramp, the spinning back wheel grabbed tight and literally fired his Suzuki one way down the ramp and Kalazuk the other direction. Kalazuk quickly received prompt assistance from the medical professionals on site and the latest reports say he will make a full recovery. Incredibly, after tending to their fallen comrade, two time former Canadian Freestyle Motocross Champion Reagan Sieg and home town hero Chris Nolan showed how much these riders respect the fans. Mounting back up and flying through a short series of extraordinary FMX tricks, they richly deserved the overwhelming cheers of the Kelowna crowd.
     While it might be cliché to say “don’t try this at home”, you don’t want to stay at home when a Monster Spectacular show is coming to your area. Next stop the Monster Spectacular rides into the outdoor rodeo arena in Strathmore, just minutes east of Calgary, Alberta. After becoming a rival for the title of “the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the following weekend, Monster Spectacular thrills fans in stereo, performing simultaneously in both in Victoria and Ottawa. Ticket info is available at www.MonsterSpectacular.com. (06/05/08)

Press Release: MLMT to Postpone 2008 Racing Season:  (Lubbock, TX) It is with regret that we must announce the postponement of the 2008 MLMT Racing Season. In the fall of 2006 the concept of a monster truck racing series was developed and named the Major League of Monster Trucks (MLMT). By June of 2007 adequate financing and staff was in place to begin the inaugural season. The season started with the first events in August and concluded in November 2007. The entire MLMT concept was built for the purpose of change in an industry which had seen few changes in the past 20 years. It was built to legitimize a very popular form of entertainment and to find national sponsorship, first class venues and national television exposure to help promote an industry to all time new levels. And it was built to give teams the opportunity to earn more then ever before and possibly not has to work 45 weekends a year to make ends meet.
     As our season was under way many things started to take place in a very short amount of time. Fans, our speedway partners, teams and corporate America truly enjoyed our events and they were starting to see a glimpse of what our vision is for the future of the Monster Truck racing industry. We saw great initial success form all the hard work and planning that had gone into this by the entire staff and everyone involved.
     By the fall of 2007 we were in the middle of many final negotiations with many of the top companies in the country for sponsorship. We were also pitching the concept of the MLMT to networks searching for the monster truck racing element. After so much success, what we weren’t prepared for was our financial backers not being able to uphold their end of the agreement. When this happened in late October 2007 we had choices. Do we close up and ruin a chance for an industry to change? Or do we continue to move forward building a brand? Our choice was to move ahead building a brand and staying true to what we believe in.
     We now had ended our first season and were busy preparing for our first full season by securing sponsorships, securing a television broadcasting package; while at the same time looking for new financial backing.
     The MLMT was able to move forward because we had a group of very dedicated like-minded, hard working staff. It was also done with a tremendous amount of personnel and financial sacrifice by Joe Froome. A lot of people that would have been faced with this tough decision of closing up or sacrificing and moving forward would have taken the easy route and closed down the company. The staff of MLMT wasn’t going to quit, especially with a track record of building a regional business with an 11-year history.
     The staff of the MLMT has spent the entire first half of 2008 trying to secure a long term financial foundation by securing sponsorship and great venue partners. We have spent and used every resource we have available to us to continue to move ahead with this upcoming season. Even in some of the most financial diverse conditions in recent history. We have had promises and letters of commitment but none have materialized in the time frame as of yet that we need to move ahead with the 2008 season as we have worked so hard to do.
     That is why at this point with much thought and hard work by the entire MLMT staff. We are going to temporarily postpone our National events for 2008 and reorganize the MLMT. We are taking a step back so we can build a solid future for this product. We will not have events that don’t meet our standards, quality and vision, or have staff and teams participate in these events and not have the financial stability to maintain this level while the brand is built. We will not let what happened to us in 2007 ever happen to us again when financial partners don’t uphold their legal obligation.
     In any new undertaking such as this, there are bound to be pit falls and set backs that are unforeseen. But also with such undertakings to be successful, you must be able to react and sustain such setbacks if you are going to be successful in the long run. The MLMT executive staff will continue to seek corporate backing, financial partnerships and all the tools needed to see the MLMT reach the levels of success we all know is possible. When we feel we have the right recourses needed to move in the right direction we will do so.
     We have produced high quality shows in this industry for over 11 years. We have done what we said we would do in this industry from day one and that isn’t going to change. We aren’t going anywhere except to work everyday to find all the elements necessary to make the MLMT a success. (06/02/08)

Outlaw Monster Truck Spectacular Signs New National Sponsors!!: (Victorville, CA) Steve Quercio and the "Outlaw" Monster Truck Spectacular have signed "Del Taco" Mexican Fast Foods Restaurants as National Sponsor of the "Outlaw" Monster Truck Spectacular monster truck shows for the 2008-2009 Season. With over 500 stores in the Western United States, "Del Taco" has been very pleased with the Monster Truck Industry, and the results Quercio's Promotions have delivered.
     As part of the marketing plan, a new "Del Inferno" street legal fire truck has been constructed by Quercio to do display promotions with "Del Taco" as they introduce their new "Del Inferno" Hot Sauce. The "Del Inferno" Fire Truck is currently set up to give Fire Truck Rides at special events as well as Monster Truck Shows, with plans to drop a J-34 Jet Engine in the Fire Truck to do a Spectacular Jet Meltdown Show at the "Outlaw" Monster Truck Shows.

     This is the 2nd street legal jet fire truck that gives rides that Quercio has built. The 1st being "Firestorm" which was sold 2 years ago. When asked why another Jet Fire Truck, Quercio replied that the Rush of 6,000 pounds of "Thrust" and the Smoke and "Burner-Pops", then to see the crowd standing on their feet cheering, has to be close to the rush of driving a monster truck.
     Quercio is celebrating over 30 years of motorsport promotions this year, with a full schedule of over 45 Monster Truck Shows on the books. This Saturday Night the "Outlaw" Monster Truck Spectacular rocks the Grant County Fairgrounds, in Washington with a lineup of Jeff Bainter in "Captain USA", "Airborne Ranger", Scott Anderson in "Arachnaphobia", plus the latest Mike Welch creation and more. To check out more info, go to www.OutlawMonsterTrucks.com!!

TMB TV Episode #3: O'Reilly Outlaw Nationals - Miami, OK!!:  TheMonsterBlog.com's major event coverage series goes back-to-back this weekend, with new TMB TV episodes from Firebird Raceway yesterday and now Miami, OK today!!  The O'Reilly Outlaw Nationals made their annual stop at the Miami Fairgrounds May 9th-10th, with eight trucks competing in racing, wheelie, and freestyle competitions. Bounty Hunter, Tail Gator, Barbarian, War Wagon, Big Dawg, Iron Outlaw, Ballistic, and Brute Force are featured in Episode #3, check it out by clicking the link below!!  (06/01/08)

WATCH TMB TV EPISODE #3: O'REILLY OUTLAW NATIONALS - MIAMI, OK!!

(VIDEO GALLERY)

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