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Freakishly gi-normous trucks with 66-inch tires and 1500 horsepower exploding into the air with all the intensity of a Saturn-V rocket, capable, and very willing, to munch on lesser vehicles much like mini-wheat - welcome to Monster Jam. What's not to like? There's something, no everything, so comfortably unsubtle about it - and fans can't get enough of it.
Grave Digger
We recently spoke with Henry Cross from Poplar Branch, North Carolina. Cross is the Race Team Director for Feld Motor Sports - the prompters of Monster Jam.
Tell us about the Monster Jam series - when and how did it really get started?
"It all started when a guy named Bob Chandler decided to soup-up his 4X4 some 30 years ago. He put some of the biggest tires he could find and stuffed a blown mountain motor under the hood as a power plant. Heck, once it was built the only thing to do with such a large toy is go see if you can drive over some cars. Well, that's exactly what happened, in 1982, in front of 72,000 people, he rolled up and over a row of cars, and monster trucken was born."
"The series 'Monster Jam' is to Monster Trucks, what NASCAR is to cup cars. It is a series that tours around the country and puts some of the biggest names in Monster Trucks in front of millions of awesome race fans. Our fans are the greatest fans in the world. They know the drivers, trucks, and sometimes the crew by name. They are very loyal to their favorite truck like Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction, Monster Mutt, or El Toro Loco. They have different reasons for liking a particular truck, could be the driver, color of the truck, or a favorite character. But whatever the reason, they are the best."
Pastrana 199
Talk a little more about some of the heavy hitters you just mentioned, like Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction, and Pastrana 199, how's he doing?
"Well, Grave Digger and Maximum are the two hottest trucks on the circuit. When they meet in an arena or stadium, you know there is going to be some fireworks. Neither Dennis nor Tom wants to be outdone by the other. They will do whatever it takes to win racing or freestyle. They both would break their trucks in half if that's what it took to outperform the other."
"It's really awesome to watch these guys in action. There's intensity in the air and you just know you're in for a real spectacle. This is one of those things you have to see in person, TV doesn't do it justice. These two guys battle it out from week to week like it is the last time they will ever be in a truck. I guess we will see what happens in Minneapolis?"
"The 199 truck - yeah, Travis Pastrona has jumped into the monster truck scene. His crew chief for years, Cam McQueen, is driving his truck, and he's doing an outstanding job. I was worried to death after watching all those videos of Travis and his friends doing really crazy stuff. I didn't know what to expect from Cam, but I've got to tell you, this guy is the real deal. He's smooth, has good throttle rhythm, and he ain't scared to get the job done. He doesn't just go all crazy; he's more methodical when he's driving. Puts on a hell of a show!"
The filter that K&N provides for the trucks was specifically designed for your application and we've heard claims that it is saving thousands of dollars in rebuild costs - talk a bit about that if you would?
"When K&N and the Monster Jam fleet got together, K&N worked very closely with our engine builder Richard Midgette. Together they came up with a custom design that's works like a champ for our application. We went through a little R&D at first, but the engineers at K&N came up with a filter that moves roughly the same amount of air, as not having a filter on at all, plus it's as tuff as nails."
"Talk about a lifesaver though, these filters get the tar beat out of them. Have you watched our shows? We put those filters through a lot and they hang in there through bumps, jumps and wicked doughnuts. If those filters were to fail, we would lose tons of money. With all the dirt that gets thrown around and tossed in the air, we need a good filter that not only is tough, but keeps the harsh elements out of our 1500hp motors."
"Talk about a cost savings too, not only do they hold up under the abuse, but all we have to do is wash 'em off, put another coat of the oil on, and they are ready for the next show."
Are there any future plans for Monster Jam that you would care to share with us?
"I think the fans are in for a real treat in 2010. We are changing our format a little in some of the smaller arenas. It's going to be a freestyle mania event. We are going to rock the house from the time the fans sit down, until it's time to leave. I cannot wait myself."
"I really like to thank K&N for their support and help, and to our other sponsors for helping us out so much. Just remember, you can buy your K&N air filter at any Advance Auto Parts."
2009 Ford F-150 FX4 truck modified as Baja Chase Support Truck by Hellwig for SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Ford F-150 FX4 Baja Chase Support truck is ready to traverse rough terrain and intercept supported riders for refueling and tire changes
Racing support truck will hit the desert at the Baja 500 in 2010
Baja Chase Support Ford F-150 is equipped with K&N air intake system, part number 57-2575
Ford F-150 FX4 Truck incorporates necessary features and equipment to support a motorcycle race team in the desert
Mark Hellwig modifies his vehicles with more power and efficiency under the hood
Behind the scenes of every operation there is a work horse, in desert off road racing the work horse can be the chase truck.
Hellwig Motorsports of Visalia, California designed the ultimate motorcycle race team support vehicle and put it on display at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We used a 2009 Ford F-150 FX4 truck as our platform,” said Mark Hellwig of Hellwig Products Inc. “It has the ability to maneuver around the California and Nevada deserts along with the Baja California Peninsula. It also incorporates all the necessary features and equipment to do the right job.”
The Baja Chase Support Truck by Hellwig carries support equipment, repair parts, food and water for the riders and fuel for the motorcycles. “It can be life or death situation in the desert,” said Hellwig. “Our Ford is road capable, dependable, safe, comfortable and tough. It has the ability to travel down the road at highway speeds and exit the pavement at a point on a map and transform into an off road performer.”
The Baja Chase Support Ford F-150 is designed to intercept riders and to do whatever is necessary to continue
a race.
Modifications include:
Hellwig Products front and rear sway bars
Hellwig traction spring stabilizer
Hellwig auto level air suspension
Skyjacker Suspension 6 inch lift
Dick Cepek Mud Country 35 inch tires
Torque wheels 20 inch
Warn winch
Hi-lift jack
Carr Products Super Hoop steps
Lund International tri-fold motorcycle ramp
Tuffy Products Roll-out tool drawers
Baja Rack roof rack
Banks Performace products
K&N air intake system, part number
57-2575
PCI race radios
Bushwhacker Fender Flares
Husky Products
Optima Batteries
Mag Hytec Differential Cooler
ACRO lights
Air Ride Technologies
All-Pro Fire and Safety
Lund International
“My passion is off-road racing,” said Hellwig. “K&N and Hellwig have been around for a long time as a team. We’ve had several project vehicles with K&N products. K&N is reliable, provides us with additional filtration and keeps the dirt out of our engines. K&N is also easy to clean.”
The Baja Chase Support Ford F-150 will hit the dirt in June 2010 at the Baja 500.
Rider Jared Mees makes his living motorcycle racing year round. The 2009 AMA Grand National Dirt Track Racing Champion was still celebrating his victory from Pomona, California when he went to Round 1 of the 34th Annual World Championship Ice Racing Series at the Roanoke Civic Center in Virginia.
World Champion Ice Racer Jared Mees wins the opening round in the 34th Annual World Championship Ice Racing Series in Roanoke, Virginia
“We arrived in Roanoke on Saturday afternoon,” said Mees. “There is no practice for these events, you just go in there and pull the trigger racing.”
AMA Grand National Dirt Track Racing Champion Jared Mees on the podium at Pomona, California
Harley Davidson XR750 Dirt Tracker and rider Jared Mees
During the first round the riders worked to secure points and good starting positions for the finals. “I won one of the heats and was on the outside of the front row,” said Mees. “I got a good start but was running third when someone sent me up to the wall. I dropped back to sixth and had a lot of work to do.”
Mees was aggressive and started to knock down some fast laps. Mees, the Ice 2007 World Champion, finished the run with some force and took JR Schnabel to the ground. Mees won the event. “That’s racing,” he said. “JR and I shook hands and said wait until we're on the ice next weekend. We both can dish it out and we both can take a beating, no hard feelings.”
During the Ice Racing Series, Mees rides a 2008 Honda CRF 450 with K&N air and oil filters, part numbers HA-4503XD and KN-116. “We also run special tires that have sharp studded screws in them for traction,” he said. “We use K&N products because we get a great throttle response and it’s just a win - win situation.”
Mees has a full ice motorcycle racing schedule planned on indoor ice rinks and on lakes. “We make sure the ice is 4 or 5 inches thick before we get out there for competiton,” said the 23-year-old. “I started racing at 6 and turned pro at 16. I also prefer dirt racing to
ice because dirt racing pays the bills a little better.”
When the Clio, Michigan resident is off the ice he rides a Harley Davidson XR750 Dirt Tracker with K&N products
RU-1240,
RU-1240PK,
62-1370 and
81-0151. “I want to give my heartfelt thanks to all of my sponsors including K&N who made the AMA National Dirt Track Championship possible. I also want to thank Craig Rogers from Rogers Lake Racing for giving me the opportunity. Craig picked me up this year after I finished 9th in points in 2008. It’s been a huge thing to have his support and giving him his first Grand National Championship.”
Mees wants to keep riding motorcycles year round for as long as he can. “I have no immediate plans to trade in
my bikes for off-road truck racing,” he said. “Four wheels are for getting you to the race, two wheels are for racing.”
Mees next ice events will take place in the West, starting in Bakersfield, California, to Fresno
and the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.
2010 Genesis was on display outside SEMA for Seibon Carbon
Jason Lim is a skilled engineer with a passion for vehicle aftermarket modifications. His 10+ years of experience has set him apart from other custom builders. Lim has worked as manager/engineer for MODE Racing since it began in February, 2009. His primary focus has been with the development of custom air intakes, short shifters and fundamental suspension modifications.
Modified 2010 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 liter V6 Coupe
The 2009 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, featured Lim's custom 2010 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 liter V6 Coupe. It was on display outside the main hall for Seibon Carbon. K&N spoke with Lim regarding the preparation of the vehicle before SEMA. "Before I brought the Genesis to the show, I installed some MODE Racing prototype pieces," he said. "Then I had it professionally detailed."
Lim's modified Genesis is primarily a street car that competes in multiple car shows and is equipped with K&N air filter RU-4740. "K&N filters have proven to perform well on and off the track," said Lim. "We use them on our custom intakes because of their versatility and overall performance."
Lim and Mode Racing are a strong supporters of K&N products. "K&N filters have been the choice of filter since MODE Racing's inception," Lim said. "MODE Racing intakes use K&N cone filters in the design. Our prototypes have shown a net gain of 5 to 10 horsepower when properly tuned." Lim also noted, "All of MODE Racing's staff use K&N filters or replacement filters. In the aftermarket automotive parts and design industry, you must lead by example."
"MODE Racing is a newer company that introduces new and exciting products for a variety of platforms," adds Lim. "We look forward to featuring our cars in periodicals as well as YouTube and to establish choice sponsors like K&N for our vehicles."
Other modification for MODE Racing's 2010 Hyundai Genesis are:
Seibon TS-Style Carbon Fiber Hood
Seibon OEM-Style Carbon Fiber Trunk
Forgestar F14 Rims 19x8.5(F) 19x10(R)
Toyo T1R 225/40/19(F) 275/35/19(R)
Stoptech 6-Pot(F) 4-Pot(R) Big Brake Kit
Motul fluids
MODE Racing Prototype Intake w/ K&N Filter RU-4740
MODE Racing Prototype Gauge Pod
Defi BF Amber Gauges (Oil Temp, Oil Pressure, Water Temp)
AST Single Adjustable Coilovers
Paint and bodywork by K&W Autobody and DeBeer Refinish
TrailReady Motorsports and their Ford F-150 Trophy Truck.
There were big changes at TrailReady Motorsports this year, by teaming up with Tracy Rubio and the TNC Machine, they successfully moved up from the Mini-Unlimited Truck class to a state-of-the-art Trophy Truck. Even though the team is still in the gel-process, they have already experienced some very noteworthy successes, which they are constantly building on.
TrailReady Motorsports teamed up with Tracy Rubio and TNC Machine and moved up from the Mini-Unlimited Truck class to a state-of-the-art Trophy Truck
In their first race, the 1000 mile Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno, they qualified 14th out of 30 in the TT class, and worked their way into fourth place at the 700 mile mark, before a broken valve took them out of the running. For the second event, the 320-mile Silver State 300, they had just installed their brand new Ford Racing motor and still managed to complete the event in 8th position, even after being slowed by a couple of minor issues. In a sport with a 50 percent DNF rate, they have every reason to be pleased to get their first finish, in only their second event.
This weekend the team finishes the year with the BITD Henderson Desert Classic. The entire team is determined to end the season on a high, and they claim they will leave it all on the course in an all out podium effort. Time trials are Thursday; Tech/Contingency is Friday in downtown Henderson, and Racing starts Saturday Morning in Jean, Nevada.
TrailReady Motorsports has even more changes in store for next season.
"While we've been using K&N Filter products for as long as I can remember, quality intake filter products have never been so critical as they are in this power plant. At $30,000 plus, this represents the biggest motor investments I've ever made. Suddenly the choice of filters has become as important as our choice in tires. Desert racing, with its fine airborne silt, is harder on racing motors than any other form of racing," explains Larry Trim, president of TrailReady Products, LLC.
BITD Henderson Desert Classic Racing starts Saturday Morning in Jean, Nevada.
Trim and TrailReady are located in Lynnwood, Washington. Trim is also a very accomplished off-road racer with 13 years of total driving experience - three years in the NW Rally Series, seven years in the Pro-National Rock Crawling series, and three in the desert. He enjoys a 27 percent winning percentage in Class 6/7200 series since the middle of '06. He is also TrailReady Motorsports' alternate driver.
"As a truck builder, Tracy Rubio may be one of the very best in the sport. With over 20 years experience in desert truck construction, he quietly goes about his business building championship winning trucks for customers in the Kingman/Havasu/Parker area, for drivers including Curt Leduc, Randy Merritt, and off-road legend, Manny Esquerra. Having driven countless off-road racing vehicles, from rally cars, to rock racers, to desert trucks, I can say this truck fits me like nothing I've ever experienced. With the right drivers, support and just a little luck (I think we have the first two, and we're working on the last), it's only a matter of a few events before we see a TNC Machine trophy truck on the top of the podium regularly," says Trim.
Tracy Rubio is also a very proficient off-road racer and the diver of record with the TrailReady MotorSports team. Rubio has over 20 years desert racing experience and is a multiple championship winner in Class-7 and Class-8100.
"We simply could not be more pleased with the K&N products we use (E-3978XD, E-3770PR, 25-3770). We've always used K&N Products in our off-road racing applications. We begin a direct relationship with K&N when they helped us complete our 2005 SEMA "20 day Pre-Runner" Project truck. But, becoming a part of the K&N racing family with this Trophy Truck effort is hugely important, both in product support and with the quality of the product. We look forward to many years of working with K&N and to the confidence of knowing we have the best filters available for our race engines," continues Trim.
Ever building and growing as a team, TrailReady has even more changes in store for next season. "We have been asked to put together a LOORS Unlimited-Lite program for one of our partners who has pledged 70 percent of the required budget, and we are actively looking for the rest of the support to complete the program. The beauty of this opportunity is that it includes a provision that any excess funds will be poured into the Trophy Truck program, insuring that we can compete in the entire BITD series for 2010. With this program in place we will be competing in 21 televised races for next year. The Unlimited-Lite Ford Ranger and the F150 Trophy Truck will sport similar paint schemes and will be highly visible on the track, TV and the Show circuit," concludes Trim.
The Number 18 TNC Machine stats:
'03 F-150 Ford Trick Truck
Builder - Tracy Rubio, Kingman, Arizona
All aluminum Ford Racing V8 (800hp)
C6 Transmission (10" R&P)
Suspension - 4" King Shocks
Travel - 36" (rear), 30" (front)
