Dirt will fly as monster trucks provide thrills and spills

by Keith Morgan on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016

One more year to go and I can take my now grandson Francis to Monster Jam.

I figured I’d already waited long enough for this treat and we’d be storming the doors at BC Place Stadium this Saturday but no, at 21 months his ears are just too sensitive . . . I’m told.

 

 

The last time I had the opportunity to watch these quarter-million-dollar, three-metre-plus high, 4.5-tonne Monster Trucks, roar around in the mud was back in the 1990s. Back then, my son Niall joined me to watch the likes of Big Foot fire up methanol fuelled Big Block American 9.4-litre V8s and jump over a bunch of weeny cars crushing them in the process.(Apparently, they crush about 3,000 a year on the circuit.)

I spend my days driving (less expensive) new cars and take care to avoid even curbing a low profile wheel rim, never mind bouncing up one of our area’s many high sidewalks! These monster truck guys just go all out, seemingly unconcerned about scratching their wonderfully artistic $5,000 paint jobs.

It’s a thrill for those in attendance and one enjoyed by about four million spectators a year throughout North America and parts of Europe. I swear that when you walk through the door, your voice drops an octave. I guess that could be a problem for little Francis, even next year.

This year’s truck lineup is highlighted by the first time appearance here of Monster Jam icon and Grave Digger driving legend Dennis Anderson plus other World Finals Champion powerhouses Max-D, Metal Mulisha, El Toro Loco and Captain’s Curse.

The big news for fans is the debuts here of the all-new 2016 season truck Gas Monkey Garage (inspired by the hit Discovery Channel TV show “Fast N’ Loud”) plus Zombie, El DiabloSM, Fox Sports 1 Cleatus, Doomsday, Wild Flower, Enforcer and Survivor.

Roll on next year for me: if you go this year send me some hi-rez action selfies and I’ll feature the best in a future Driveway.
keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

For event info: http://www.monsterjam.com/Events/2016/02/27/Vancouver,_BC/