21 Impressive Monster Truck Facts For Monster Jam Truck Racing

Monster trucks have been thrilling people for decades, destroying other cars and pushing dirt jumps to their limits.

Monster trucks are known for their oversized tires, modified bodywork, and freestyle acrobatics, but they weren't always like this. Monster truck racing is the most thrilling activity which is trendy among youth.

When it comes to Monster Jam World Finals, you will see some of the most impressive monster jam trucks, including the grave-digger. Most trucks utilize heavy-duty gear sets, three shut-off switches, hydraulic steering, larger tires, manual valve bodies, coil-over-shock kit, automatic transmissions, and other high-pressure components.

Many trucks are heavily modified to improve the driver's reach to the steering and for increased visibility.

Monster Truck Specifications

Monster Jam is one of the most popular monster truck events where most trucks utilize large front wheels and rear wheels supplemented with nitrogen gas shocks and four-link suspension. Trucks running on electrical power use a centrifugal clutch instead of a torque converter, which is often used in automatic transmissions.

• Height: 12 ft (3.6 m) approx.
• Width: 12 ft (3.6 m) approx.
• Weight: 10,000 lb (4,545 kg)
• Length: 20 ft (6.0 m) approx.
• Speed configurations: 70 mph (112 kph)
• Horsepower: 1350-2000 HP
• Tire Size: 66 in x 43 in (167 x 109 cm)
• Fuel Type: Pure methanol
• Fuel capacity: 21.9 gals (83 l)
• Fuel Economy: 0.13 mpg (17 lpkm)
• Body: Fiberglass mixed with Lexan windshield
• Framework: A minimum of eight points of custom steel linked to the main body

Why is a Monster Truck used in Monster Jam events?

Monster Trucks are used to compete in monster jam competitions. They compete in three categories in Monster Jam events: racing, two-wheel skills, and freestyle. The racing is a classic heads-up tournament, with the first monster truck crossing the finish line progressing to the next round; the last race of the night is for the championship of that specific event.

• Trucks compete in the two-wheel skills category by completing their strongest movements on two wheels for two attempts. They also have the option of doing donuts or cyclones as an alternative.
• Attendees vote via a score tracking website to select the winner of the two-wheel skills competition. That specific judged competition is won by the vehicle with the maximum score at the end of the event.
• The freestyle competition gives drivers two minutes (one and a half minutes for arena presentations) on an open floor where they can showcase their abilities by driving their trucks over ramps and road vehicles while doing flips and stunts.
• They will earn a score of 0 if they fail to do so. Attendees vote via a score tracker website to choose the freestyle champion.
• The competition is won by the truck with the greatest score at the end of the event.

Difference Between Trucks And Monster Trucks

One of the most popular monster truck events, Monster Jam, attracts several trucks with custom-built bodywork. Before heading to a freestyle event organized by TNT Motorsports, here are some important points of differences between trucks and monster trucks:

• Powerful Engine: The engines found within monster trucks and ordinary trucks significantly differ. Although truck engines are strong, they aren't quite as powerful as the engines found inside monster trucks. Monster truck engines are supercharged and consume a massive amount of gasoline.
• Bigger tires: The tires fitted to monster trucks and traditional trucks are one of the most noticeable variations between the two. Most monster truck tires are 66 in (167.64 cm) in diameter. In most cases, traditional trucks can only accommodate tires with a diameter of 38-42 in (96.52-1.6.68 cm). Furthermore, truck owners are not permitted to put tires that large on their vehicles in many places.
• Legal Authorization: You'll never see a monster truck owner performing errands in their vehicle. This is because monster trucks, unlike other trucks, are not street legal. They must be carried from one monster truck event to the next on the backs of giant carriers large enough to accommodate massive trucks.

Monster Trucks: Invention History

Monster trucking has a long history dating back to the 1980s. In 1982, the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, hosted the inaugural monster truck exhibition.

• Bob Chandler was the first to turn a four-wheel-drive Ford F-250 into a monster truck. The 'Bigfoot' truck was put on display with larger-than-life wheels and a larger suspension system, and its agility was tested by destroying two cars in front of 70,000 people.
• Monster trucking's original purpose was to exhibit how the truck could roll over and flatten as many vehicles as possible at multiple shows and fairs around the country. However, as the popularity of this form of entertainment grew, monster trucks began to race around a track. The United States Hot Rod Association established head-to-head contests in 1987, including car smashing and racing.
• Every year, we see monster trucks that are larger and more ferocious than ever before. The expenditures of building and operating a monster truck are substantial. Some examples of average pricing are $1,800.00 per tire, $2,000.00-$7,000.00 for color, and roughly $1,500.00 for shocks.

Did You Know?

• According to Guinness World Records, a monster truck can reach speeds of 99 mph (159.49 kph). It has an average jump range of more than 125 ft (37.8 m), which means it can jump over nearly 15 cars. It may reach a height of more than 30 ft (9 m) when in the air. These high-powered monster trucks on a rough and muddy track are worth seeing as they jump high into the air.
• A monster truck will cost you a fortune. You'll need to figure out how much you want to spend upfront when you're just getting started.
• A customized monster truck may cost anywhere between $100,000 and $300,000 to build. A second-hand monster truck may cost anything from $20,000 to $70,000. On the other hand, used monster trucks are hard to find and may not meet all of your requirements.
• Grave Digger is one of the most well-known and recognizable monster trucks of all time, and it performs in the Monster Jam series' flagship team. Various drivers drive seven current Grave Digger vehicles to ensure that a truck appears at every Monster Jam event.
• The bodywork of most monster trucks is composed of fiberglass, and they can shatter if the truck crashes. Other trucks are constructed of a material known as Carbon Fiber. Carbon fiber offers several benefits over fiberglass, including the fact that it is lighter and far more durable than fiberglass, requiring less frequent replacement. It is, however, a little more expensive up front, but depending on how often the truck is to crash, the variables might prove to be necessary to a team's financial advantage.
• A monster truck costs about $250,000 on average. In each city, they create their track. At the arenas and stadiums where Monster Jam takes place, it takes an eight-person crew and roughly 18 to 20 hours over three days to build a track and jump.
• A monster truck has fiberglass bodies and is custom-designed, and a fiberglass manufacturer usually owns the mold to the design. The initial investment is estimated at around $15,000 on average. And the Remakes cost approximately $ 8,000.
• Drivers of monster trucks are always seated when driving the vehicle. Monster truck drivers are never positioned on the left side of the truck; instead, they are seated directly in the middle. Because they are made differently than competition trucks, older trucks had the driver's seat on the driver's side, and riding trucks are even the same. The front-engine Willman-style chassis seems to be the only truck that still features a left-side seat.
• Monster truck tires are known as flotation tires because their volume of air allows farming equipment to float somewhat on wet, muddy fields rather than sinking and becoming stuck. Monster truck tires are roughly 66 in (167 cm) tall and 43 in (109 cm) wide on average. They weigh around 900 pounds and have an air pressure of roughly 10 PSI (69 KPA) inside.
• Monster Truck drivers usually earn anywhere from $30,000- $55,000 per year on average. This is only relevant if you are on active duty. The amount paid is determined by several criteria, including the driver's experience, the organization they belong to, and the pau scale prevailing in the industry. Ultimately, teams with less experience will be paid less than those with more experience. The income eventually increases with the number of shows and time spent in the industry.
• Monster Trucks run on methanol fuel, which is used at a rate of three gallons per minute from a specially built safety cell. It takes over 15 gallons (56.7 ltr) of fuel to get the truck started.
• Monster trucks have massive tires that were used initially as agricultural machinery. These tires have been customized for monster truck use. Modern monster truck tires are 66 in (167 cm) tall and 43 in (109 cm) broad at their widest points. They weigh 800-900 lb (363.6-409 kg) and run on only 8 -10 PSI (55-69 KPA). BKT is the official tires supplier for the Monster Jam series, and they make these wheels.
• Monster Jam trucks are built to keep the driver safe at all times. There are many safety features. The driver, frequently seated in the middle, is protected by a specially constructed roll cage. Each driver is equipped with specific safety equipment starting with a custom-fitted fire-resistant driving suit. The outfit provides a minimum of three layers of protection. While operating as part of the head-and-neck restraint system, which includes a tested and approved harness system, the helmet satisfies Snell Foundation fire-resistance criteria. Flame-resistant gloves with a sticky grip side for steering wheel control protect the drivers' hands. Special fire-resistant shoes are worn by the drivers, which also have a thin sole for better throttle and braking power. Overall it can be said that Monster jam is safe to participate in.
• Monster trucks aren't designed to be driven standing up. The driver sitting is normal as other road vehicles. There are no standing seats to keep the driver seat while driving. It would be best if you stayed seated in your chair for your own and others' safety.
• The gigantic vehicles, which weigh upwards of 12,000 lb (5,454 kg) (the minimum for championships is 10,000 lb (4,545 kg)), are extraordinarily speedy and agile. According to Guinness World Records, a monster truck's fastest speed is 99 miles per hour (158.4 kph), which was reached just last year.
• Each Monster Jam truck is 10.5 ft (3.18 m) tall, 12.5 ft (3.78 m) wide, and 17 ft (5.15 m) long, with a weight of 12,000 lb (5,454 kg). A Monster Jam engine will produce 1,500 horsepower, credits to a supercharger which takes air and fuel to the engine.