I have to admit, I never considered myself the Monster Truck type of fan until last year when I had the opportunity to check out what the hype was all about. After that, well, I am a fan. I mean, where can you go and cheer on big ole massive trucks flying through the air, crashing as they flip over and have you cringing hoping that no one was hurt in the process?
Monster Jam 2015
This past weekend I experienced another fun time with Grave Digger, Madusa, El Toro Loco and more! It started with the excitement of having the pit passes, where I got to get up close and personal with the trucks and their drivers!
I do however have to say, for me, it’s the fun of watching that is the highlight of it all. Check out Madusa totally flipping out!
Oh Yeah! Madusa showing a little girl power! #MonsterJam #monstertruck #freestyle A video posted by Tara (@trippinwithtara) on
So what can you expect at the Orlando show coming up this weekend?
Central Florida will heat up this January when 1,500 horsepower, 10,000-pound monster trucks compete in side-by-side racing and the fan-favorite freestyle competition where each monster truck gets up to 120 seconds to “wow” the crowd with huge jumps, wheelies, truck-spinning donuts, flips, and the destruction of cars, vans, buses, motor homes and more.
One of the many highlights of this year’s competition is participation by all three Team Grave Digger vehicles: GRAVE DIGGER, GRAVE DIGGER THE LEGEND, and the Orlando event champion from 2013 AND 2014, Ryan Anderson driving SON UVA DIGGER. The superstar competitive field will also feature the return of Monster Jam’s only eleven-time World Champion, Tom Meents driving MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION. Meents is famous for his all-out driving style and numerous monster truck back flips.
The event will also feature MONSTER MUTT ROTTWEILER, SCOOBY DOO, GUN SLINGER, BLACK STALLION, OVERKILL EVOLUTION, ICE CREAM MAN, XTERMIGATOR, HIGHER EDUCATION, JESTER and more yet-to-be announced motorsports competitors. The official title of the event is Metro PCS, Circle K, Budweiser & Your Southern Ford Dealers present MONSTER JAM® … brought to you by McDonalds & BKT Tires.
The Citrus Bowl just went through some amazing renovations, so to see the show there will be quite the treat! There is just one show only, this Saturday, January 24th. Gates Open at 5 pm with opening ceremonies starting at 6:30 pm. Racing Starts at 7 pm. Here are some fun facts on the upcoming Orlando show!
*A crew of eight works 18-20 hours a day for three straight days to construct a monster truck course. Work begins at 11 a.m. Wed., January 21, 2015.
*Field conversion in Orlando will begin by covering the entire surface of turf at the Orlando Citrus Bowl with a wall-to-wall protective polyurethane product. Each sheet of product is 20’ long, 5’ wide and ¼” thick, and weighs 130 pounds. The work team uses a carpet-pulling device to make a tight seal above the turf.
*Then, dirt is added. It is not uncommon for dump trucks to make more than 200 trips to deliver the dirt to each stadium. In Orlando, approximately 300 truckloads of dirt are anticipated to cover the brand new, $3 million+ Orlando Citrus Bowl field turf!
*Stadium officials and architects consulted Monster Jam in the development of Citrus Bowl Stadium’s all new South End tunnel, which provides Monster Jam with easier access in and out of the stadium. In the construction of the South End tunnel, Monster Jam provided logistic and size requirements for these access points to help improve the Monster Jam dirt track construction process.
*The Monster Jam owns dirt in almost every city it visits. Average amount of dirt used per stadium track is 3,500 cubic yards. Each year 700,000 cubic yards of dirt is used to put on Monster Jam events.
*Once the dirt has arrived, workers will construct the track. First, they lay an 8”-thick base. Then, using a computer designed track map they begin sculpting the obstacles. The Orlando Citrus Bowl track is approximately 230’ wide by 360’ long.
*Workers are committed to a no-dust policy. Water trucks are on standby with up to 2,000 gallons of water for use in keeping dust to a minimum. Twenty-five rolls of plastic are on standby; in the event of rain, workers will cover the entire track.
*Once the event ends, the dirt move-out process starts immediately. All dirt and field protection product is generally completely removed within 20 hours after the Monster Jam event concludes. Typically, by Sunday evening or Monday morning, the Citrus Bowl’s field is returned to the same condition as it was in prior to the event.
*Track “shapers” are considered the best in the world at what they do and are skilled construction equipment operators. When not shaping tracks during the Monster Jam season, most return to their hometowns to work in construction.
http://youtu.be/sZ-YyCZyiF4
Advance purchase SuperValue Tickets are ONLY $15. $45 VIP / $35 Gold Sideline / $25 Corner / $20 End zones. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Amway Center Box Office, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available day of show at the Citrus Bowl. All seats reserved. Subject to facility fee, plus convenience and handling charges. Don’t wait – buy tickets in advance as prices go up $5 more the week of show. Get more show information at www.MonsterJam.com (click on “Tickets” and search for Orlando January 24th).
For more information on Monster Jam, please log onto www.MonsterJam.com. To follow Monster Jam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
*I was given tickets for the Tampa Monster Jam show to promote the Orlando show. All opinions are my own.
Read more
- You Have to Remember – 9/11, 20 Years Later - September 11, 2021
- Creating the Perfect Look with a Maxi Dress - October 20, 2020
- Brand Better Giveaway - October 6, 2020
Leave a Reply