Have you ever seen a giant monster truck? Have you ever witnessed its speed and agility? Have you ever been to an actual monster truck show? You may be surprised about how fast these huge trucks can drive.
According to Guinness World Records, the fastest speed achieved by a monster truck is 99 Miles Per Hour or 159.49 Kilometers per hour.
It can jump for more than 125 feet on average, in short, it can jump over about 15 cars. While it is in the air, it can reach a height of more than 30 feet.
As it jumps high into the air, these high-powered monster trucks on a dirty and muddy track are worth the watch. The first monster truck was actually just a pickup truck with large wheels.
What allows the monster trucks to accelerate so quickly?
A blower. It forces air and fuel into the engine which allows monster trucks to accelerate quickly and easily.
Monster trucks usually run with 8-71 blowers with 30% boost. Its horsepower can reach up to 1500 HP on a track.
Believe me when I say that monster trucks are very quick. Its enormous weight and size do not prevent it from reaching a high horsepower. Monster trucks are very capable of driving 100 MPH, but it does not necessarily mean that they drive that fast all the time. For a short period of time, it can generate between 1,500 – 2,500 horsepower. This allows it to create noises and move quickly in the process.
The Incredible Monster Jam
The best way to experience what monster trucks are all about is to watch a show in person because, over the past years, monster trucks have been constantly evolving. It is definitely an eye-catching, mind-blowing, and thrilling experience for you, your friends, and your family. All the maneuvering inside the arena will leave you blown away. Age does not matter when it comes to watching a monster truck show, young or old, feel free to have fun inside the arena.
Monster Jam is the world’s leading monster truck event.
What is Monster Jam?
Mechanical beasts compete during Monster Jam, which makes it the ultimate in monster truck racing competition. The most powerful and biggest monster trucks on earth can be seen during this event.
What kind of competition is this?
Monster trucks face off into two different forms of competition:
- Freestyle
- Side-by-side racing.
A freestyle competition allows drivers to show off their unique stunts and skill only for a limited amount of time. The fans will serve as judges in this category.
Side-by-side racing is a traditional one. The first truck with the least number of penalties and crosses the finish line will be declared as the winner.
Agile stunts are what monster trucks are capable of doing. If the monster truck is on their back wheels, it is called “wheelies”. However, the opposite of wheelies is called “ends” and this is also a sign of jumping through the air. Another fan favorite move is called the “donut”, it is where monster trucks spin around in circles on the spot.
Jumping and crashing cars can be witnessed in most monster truck competitions and shows. To test a truck’s abilities, it is driven over a pair of cars.
Furthermore, a typical monster truck that competes during the Monster Jam would spend around $600,000 annually, to build, staff, transport and maintain itself.
So, how many monster jam fanatics attend the yearly events worldwide? More than 3 million to be exact.
An Inside Look at Monster Trucks
Machines that are super-sized built for high powered speed? Yes, please.
The motor type of monster trucks vary but its motor size is usually less than 575 cubic inches or 9.4 liters of displacement. Tachometers measure the speed on an engine on monster trucks and this helps it reach its top speed. Suspension travel of fully adjustable nitrogen and chassis of custom steel minimum of 8 points that are attached to the main chassis.
What are the Monster truck parts?
Monster trucks eat cars for breakfast. Obviously, its tires are way taller than people, it can vary from 70 inches high and 43 inches wide. The tires of a monster truck are uniquely customized for the track. The tires are 1.67 meters tall and 1.11 meters wide. It has to be hand-cut to suit track conditions after it has been fitted onto the monster truck.
Monster trucks do not run on the average engine. It has super-charged engines that are custom-built and methanol-injected. It costs about $50,000 for an engine. Most monster trucks go through five engines yearly. It runs with nitrogen and gas shocks, and it is not just the truck that will cost you money. The repairs and maintenance, racing uniforms and lodging cost a lot, too. Its fuel capacity is 22 gallon or more. The fuel type should be 99.9% Methanol.
The trucks became more popular as time evolved and it has started to replace steel with aluminum and has improved its tubular chassis and fiberglass bodies. Most monster truck bodies do not have a door, the doors you may see are already painted on for the body of it is made out of fiberglass. A driver must climb in through a space underneath the body in order to enter the monster truck.
More Facts To Know About Monster Trucks
Around the late 1970s, the first monster truck was invented.
All monster trucks come in different shapes and sizes. Weight, height, and width is the combination that makes monster trucks extremely large. A monster truck is approximately 3.2 meters tall, 3.5 meters wide, and 5 meters long. On the contrary, a regular truck is 2 meters tall, 1.8 meters long and 2 meters wide. On an average, a normal monster truck usually weighs as much as 4.5 tons or 4,500 kilograms. The truck is very well fed if you know what I mean.
An average monster truck weighs a minimum of 9,000 pounds, however, some trucks weigh as much as 12,500 pounds. Monster trucks from the early 80s weighed nearly 20,000 pounds. The higher the weight, the more it would look better crushing cars.
Tip: the more strength and weight can be put into the frame and engine without sacrificing speed and maneuverability if the body weighs less.
Monster trucks do cost a lot of money since it normally costs between $170,000 – $250,000 per truck. Apart from that, you will spend more on the parts that are used to manufacture it and it will cost a lot more. Monster trucks are far from luxury vehicles but it is surely more expensive than most vehicles. A four-wheel drive dune buggy is what a modern monster truck would look like.
Top 5 Outrageous Monster Trucks
1. Bigfoot 5
Bigfoot 5 is the largest monster truck ever built. It was one of the first few monster trucks that performed to thousands of crowds and it was when its phenomenon grew.
It is a Ford monster truck that was built in 1986. It is a 10-foot tall Tundra tire will surely crush cars. It is the heaviest truck built at 28,000 pounds to 38,000 pounds.
2. Grave Digger
One of the most popular monster trucks of all time is the grave digger. It was conceived in 1981 and it competes in multiple events during that time.
Currently, it is powered by a 555 cubic inch Merlin engine with approximately 1700 horsepower.
3. Maximum Destruction
One of the most successful and hit monster truck around the world was Maximum Destruction. It was previously known as “Goldberg”. The truck has landed an aerial backflip and a complete backflip.
Maximum Destruction continues to be a competitor for the World Championships annually.
4. Bear Foot
One of the original competitors on the professional circuit from the 80s is Bear Foot. It is one of the primary rivals of Big Foot.
The truck was designed with a Chevrolet base, but it is now built on a Dodge Ram. Bear Foot was the champion in 1990, 1992, and 1993 USHRA Camel Mud and Monsters Championship.
5. Cyborg
Cyborg is the only two-wheeled drive truck on a competitive circuit. It was first debuted in the 90s and has been performing on Monster Jam series.
Another special aspect of this truck is that it has an independent suspension, its two wheels in the front are not powered.
Monster Truck Safety Guidelines
- Before a show, its safety inspection reaches 50+ point.
- Track officials can shut a truck off at any time if there is a problem.
- Monster trucks must have an onboard fire extinguisher.
- Drivers must have a racing harness, must wear a fire-resistant suit, shoes, gloves, and a racing helmet. Along with neck and head restraints.
Monster trucks are able to turn in sharp corners because they have steering mechanisms at the front and at the back. It can easily turn off its engine and electricity for it has three switches inside, this switch can be used for emergency purposes.
I highly recommend watching monster trucks live and in action. Monster trucks will not disappoint you for it is a sport that is very exciting and intense at the same time and it is suitable for all ages.
