TMB TV: Highlights – 1st Annual IMTM Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reunion

Event: International Monster Truck Museum Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reunion
Venue: International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame @ American Heritage Village
Location: Auburn, Indiana
Date: November 18th-19th, 2011
Videographer: Colby Marshall, Chris Parrish, Kaedon Berry

1st Hall of Fame Class: Bob Chandler (BIGFOOT), Jeff Dane (KING KONG), Dan Degrasso (BEAST), Everett Jasmer (USA-1), Fred Shafer (BEARFOOT), Jack Willman (TAURUS) [Read more…]

The Allen Report: IMTM Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2011

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

It’s important to preserve the history and rise to fame of the monster truck industry so that the next generation of fans can see for themselves how the sport started. Auburn, Indiana’s own Jeff Cook of Shotgun Harry intends to accomplish this by doing two things: operating a museum preserving historic monster trucks and, starting with the inaugural induction ceremony held on November 19th, 2011, hold an annual Hall of Fame ceremony. This year’s ceremony was a big success with over 250 people attending and nine historic monsters and two active monsters on display for all to see.

The first class of Hall of Fame inductees included: Bob Chandler of Bigfoot, Dan Degrasso of Beast and Everett Jasmer of USA-1 (who each had their original monster truck creations on display at the museum that night), Fred Shafer of Bearfoot, Jack Wilman Sr. of Taurus and Jeff Dane of King Kong and Awesome Kong. Fred was unable to attend the event, so Scott Hess of Hercules and a Team Bearfoot driver, filled in to accept the award on Fred’s behalf.

TMB Contributors Jim & Christopher Allen stand in front of the legendary USA-1 at the 1st Annual IMTM Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Other trucks on display as well as those mentioned above were John Nowacki’s Mud Monster, Allen Tura’s Goliath, Allen Pezo’s Predator 1, Eric Howe’s High Horse and Tod Weston’s Black Knight and Kid KJ’s Monster Bear. As each individual was inducted into the Hall of Fame, a video tribute was shown highlighting their career. Each then got an opportunity to share their feelings and a story or two. Some members of the first class explained where the names of their trucks came from and others why they stepped out of the spotlight and/or sold their trucks. In the end, every new member of the Hall of Fame got a standing ovation from the crowd.

At long last, the careers of the men above, billed as “The Originals” in monster truck history have had their careers come full circle. As far as the future is concerned, Mr. Chandler is focused on the debut of Bigfoot #18. Mr. Jasmer is looking to carry on with his deal with Chandler Lloyd and possibly sell the entire USA-1 operation. Mr. Degrasso just may end up deciding to bring the Beast back into the public eye as a modernized truck with a tube frame and nitrogen shocks.

To find out more about the museum or plan a visit, check out www.MonsterMuseum.org. On that note, until the first quarter of 2012, thank you for reading, thanks to Jeff Cook and the entire IMTM staff for their wonderful hospitality, enjoy the photos and cheer on!

All content copyright TheMonsterBlog.com 2011.

TMB TV: Behind the Scenes – IMTM Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Auburn, IN 2011

Event: International Monster Truck Museum Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reunion
Venue: International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame @ American Heritage Village
Location: Auburn, Indiana
Date: November 19th, 2011
Videographer: Ross Z. Bonar

Lineup: Beast (Dan Degrasso), USA-1 (Everett Jasmer) [Read more…]

Monster Photos: IMTM Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reunion – Auburn, IN 2011

Event: International Monster Truck Museum Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reunion
Venue: International Monster Truck Museum @ The American Heritage Village
Location: Auburn, Indiana
Date: November 19th, 2011
Photographer: Danny Maass

Hall of Fame Class of 2011: Bob Chandler (BIGFOOT 4×4), Jeff Dane (King Kong), Dan Degrasso (Beast), Everett Jasmer (USA-1), Fred Shafer (Bearfoot – Scott Hess accepted on his behalf), Jack Willman (Taurus) [Read more…]

Monster Truck Radio 10/24/11 – Dan Degrasso

Monster Truck Radio With Host Jeff Richards
Date: Monday, October 24th, 2011
Guest #1: Hall of Fame Inductee Dan Degrasso, owner/creator of Beast
Guest #2: N/A [Read more…]

Monster Truck Radio to Interview Members of 1st Hall of Fame Class

(Auburn, Indiana – IMTM PR) – The International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame is proud to announce that 5 of the first 6 monster truck legends to be inducted into the Hall of Fame will be guests on Monster Truck Radio the next 5 weeks leading up to the much anticipated 1st Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, November 19th in Auburn, Indiana.

This incredible run of historic interviews that Monster Truck Radio is calling the “Road to the Hall of Fame” begins tonight at 9PM Eastern as host Jeff Richards will talk to one of the originals himself, Jeff Dane. Tune in live at www.MonsterTruckRadio.com and be a part of the live chat, you can even submit questions for Roller to ask to Mr. Dane.

Here is the upcoming schedule of interviews:

10/17 – Jeff Dane – King Kong
10/24 – Dan DeGrasso – Beast
10/31 – Jack Wilman – Taurus
11/7 – Everett Jasmer – USA-1
11/14 – Bob Chandler – BIGFOOT

A huge thanks to the five inductees who were willing to participate in this great interview series.

If you’re unable to make the live show, don’t worry, as you can tune in to an archived version of the show each week at TheMonsterBlog.com.

The International Monster Truck Museum's first ever Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is November 19th in Auburn, Indiana. Get your tickets now at www.MonsterMuseum.org!

Tickets are still available for YOU to attend the first ever IMTM Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Auburn, Indiana on Saturday, November 19th and you can get them now at www.MonsterMuseum.org! As this is a catered event, you must get your tickets by November 5th, so don’t wait!

More information on the big event can be found at www.MonsterMuseum.org. Tune in live tonight at www.MonsterTruckRadio.com, we’ll see you there!