Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Indianapolis, IN 2012

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Indiana State Fairgrounds
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: September 14th-16th, 2012
Photographer: Paul M. Harry

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Bobby Holman), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 (Larry Swim), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #15 (Rick Long), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Cody Holman), Summit Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte) Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Darron Schnell)
[Read more…]

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Indianapolis, IN 2012

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Indiana State Fairgrounds
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: September 14th-16th, 2012
Photographer: Michael Harry

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Bobby Holman), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 (Larry Swim), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #15 (Rick Long), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Cody Holman), Summit Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte) Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Darron Schnell)
[Read more…]

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Indianapolis, IN 2012

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Indiana State Fairgrounds
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: September 14th-16th, 2012
Photographer: Danny Maass

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Bobby Holman), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 (Larry Swim), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #15 (Rick Long), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Cody Holman), Summit Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte) Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Darron Schnell)
[Read more…]

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Indianapolis, IN 2012

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Indiana State Fairgrounds
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: September 14th-16th, 2012
Photographer: Candace Marshall

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Bobby Holman), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 (Larry Swim), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #15 (Rick Long), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Cody Holman), Summit Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte) Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Darron Schnell)
[Read more…]

Video of the Week – 07/14/12

Week Ending: July 14th, 2012
Truck(s) Featured: Chalkboard Chuck (Michelle Simpson), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Jeff Bursey), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez), Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Darron Schnell), XDP Diesel (Dave Radzierez)
Video Type: Promoter Video
Courtesy: www.YouTube.com

Description: Highlights from the 25th Anniversary of the Bloomsburg, PA 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals!

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Lima, OH 2012

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Allen County Fairgrounds
Location: Lima, OH
Date: May 18th-20th, 2012
Photographer: Paul M. Harry

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Michelle Simpson), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez), Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Larry Swim), XDP Diesel (Dave Radzierez)
[Read more…]

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Lima, OH 2012

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Allen County Fairgrounds
Location: Lima, OH
Date: May 18th-20th, 2012
Photographer: Michael Harry

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Michelle Simpson), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez), Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Larry Swim), XDP Diesel (Dave Radzierez)
[Read more…]

TMB TV: Original Series 5.9 – 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Springfield, MO 2012

TMB TV's Original Series Presented By E3 Spark Plugs
[column size=”1-3″]

Episode Information

Episode: Original Series 5.9
Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Missouri Entertainment & Events Center
Location: Springfield, Missouri
Date: May 5th-6th, 2012
Host: Ross Z. Bonar
Videographers: Colby Marshall, Ross Z. Bonar
[/column] [column size=”1-3″]

Featured Monster Trucks

Chalkboard Chuck – Michelle Simpson
E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
General Tire – Joe Nichter
Lucas Oil Stabilizer – Bobby Holman
Outback Thunda – Clive Featherby
Raminator – Mark Hall
Rammunition – Mat Dishman
Star Marshal – Dave Radizerez
Vi-Cor Bigfoot #11 – Darron Schnell
XDP Diesel – Dave Radzierez
[/column] [column size=”1-3″ last=”1″]

Featured Links

www.Bigfoot4x4.com
www.E3SparkPlugs.com
www.FamilyEvents.com
www.OutbackThunda.com
www.Raminator.com
www.SmokinMonster.com
[/column] [Read more…]

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Springfield, MO 2012

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Missouri Events & Entertainment Center
Location: Springfield, Missouri
Date: May 5th-6th, 2012
Photographer: Rajeana Bonar

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Michelle Simpson), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez), Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Darron Schnell), XDP Diesel (Dave Radzierez)
[Read more…]

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Lima, OH 2012

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Allen County Fairgrounds
Location: Lima, Ohio
Date: May 19th, 2012
Photographer: Chris Parrish

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Michelle Simpson), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #18 (Dan Runte), General Tire (Joe Nichter), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez), Vi-Cor Bigfoot #16 (Larry Swim), XDP Diesel (Dave Radzierez)
[Read more…]

The Allen Report: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Springfield, MO 2012

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

Weekend Recap

When the 2011 4 Wheel Jamboree season rolled around, Dan Runte was back and ready to stop the Hall Brothers decade long win streak. When all was said and done, Dan stood head and shoulders above the rest, bringing the trophy back to Midwest 4-Wheel Drive. Now another battle royal for the 4 Wheel Jamboree Series Title has begun in Springfield, MO. Dan Runte was driving the new E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #18 with sophomore season driver Darron Schnell with him in Vi-Cor Bigfoot “Bessie” #11. Those two went up against Mark Hall and Mat Dishman in Raminator and Rammunition. The other trucks in the field of ten were Bobby Holman in Lucas Oil Stabilizer with Michelle Simpson and Chalkboard Chuck, regular Stomper driver Joe Nichter with the General Tire body on the Ironman chassis and Dave Radzierez driving both Star Marshall and the XDP sponsored Diesel Monster Truck. Rounding out the field was Australian Champion Clive Featherby and Outback Thunda.

The track construction crew put together a brand new, “Double S” race course. The two trucks complete half a clock-wise roundy-round lap before making a hairpin turn to the left and flying over one more jump to the finish line. After some photo finishes, tight turns and a lot of dust, the semi-finals featured the Rammunition gunning down the reigning champion Bigfoot, while Bigfoot Bessie “udderly” embarrassed the Stabilizer. In the finale, it was neck and neck all the way to the end where Mat stood on the throttle and edged out the world’s only dairy themed monster truck by less than a truck length. In the following freestyle and the second show freestyle (which was the only competition for the second show with no racing), no official winner was crowned, but the fans cheered on.

The second day of racing saw only 7 trucks hit the track for the afternoon and only show on Sunday. Star Marshall gave up his two front tires to make up for a broken rim on the Stabilizer. Bigfoot Bessie had blown a motor the night before during freestyle and the XDP Diesel had some gear problems that were fixed but a steering line was also broken with no chance of being fixed in time.

In racing, the Aussie legend went head to head with the American legend Bigfoot #18 in the first semi final. It was neck and neck until Clive spun out in the final corner leading up to the final jump. Mat Dishman demoted the General and 20 plus year veteran Joe Nichter in the other semi to put together a classic Hall Brothers/Bigfoot finale. For the first two-thirds of the race there was no clear leader until Bigfoot went into the final corner too hot, giving the Hemi powered Rammunition the weekend sweep. Like the night before, there was no winner in freestyle. But the best runs of the day belonged to “Horse with Attitude” Outback Thunda and the 10 time champion Dan Runte. Both drivers pushed their trucks to the limit, much to the increasing noise from the crowd.

Throughout the weekend, the Sergeant Smash ride truck gave rides to anyone who wanted one and Kid KJ & The Lil’ Mighty Monsters both raced and gave freestyle runs, showing the future of the monster truck industry looks bright. With two Bigfoot/Hall Brothers battles in two races, this reporter is confident that the rivalry can only get hotter as the season winds down. Right now: Hall Brothers 2; Bigfoot 0. Next stop for The Allen Report is the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, California over Independence Day weekend. In the meantime, thanks to Family Events for their hospitality, enjoy the photos, thank you for reading and cheer on!

Photo Gallery

All content copyright TheMonsterBlog.com 2012.

Indy 4-Wheel Jamboree Championship Weekend Recap

(By Ross Z. Bonar) The weekend marked the 30th Anniversary of the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana and how better to celebrate than with an incredible battle for the 2011 Monster Truck Thunder Drags season championship. Hall Brothers Racing entered the weekend looking to extend their decade of domination in this series to an unheard of eleventh year in a row, but 2011 would be their biggest challenge yet as legendary BIGFOOT driver Dan Runte entered the weekend 80 points ahead of Mark Hall and Raminator.

In addition to the monster truck championship battle, Jamboree fans would be treated to the usual great lineup of entertainment, from show’n’shine trucks to mud bogs, tough trucks and everything in between. For the 30th Anniversary event, Family Events pulled out all the stops, bringing in 12 race trucks, the young star Kid KJ and the incredibly popular Megasaurus car-eating dinosaur. The monster truck lineup included:  E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16, Raminator, Rammunition, Avenger, General Tire, Lucas Oil Stabilizer, Heavy Hitter, Star Marshal, Stomper, Black Knight, Airdog Diesel and Chalkboard Chuck.

A great 12 truck lineup was assembled to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.

A slight damper was cast on the weekend’s festivities however as Family Events was forced to make some layout changes due to the ongoing investigation into the Indiana State Fair stage collapse. The main grandstand was still closed and unavailable, so Family Events transported in temporary bleachers to accommodate the great crowds on hand for the event.

The collapsed stage remains as the investigation continues into the cause of the terrible tragedy prior to the Sugarland concert at last month's Indiana State Fair.

Those layout changes fortunately did not stop Head Track Official Lee Collins from putting together a wild S-course racing layout that featured a unique rhythm section not often seen in monster truck racing. This would be sure to present an interesting challenge for the drivers and another exciting twist in the title bout.

With four shows scheduled for the weekend, three of those including side by side racing, the points picture could change in a heartbeat. See below for the standings entering the weeekned:

Point Standings – Entering the Weekend

1st – Bigfoot – 1480
2nd – Raminator – 1400
3rd – Rammunition – 1240
4th – General Tire – 1120
5th – Lucas Oil Stabilizer – 880
6th – Avenger – 880
7th – Star Marshal – 800
8th – Chalkboard Chuck – 640
9th – Crushstation – 600
10th – Samson – 440
11th – Black Knight – 240

Also presented here is the Family Events point scale:

How Points Are Awarded

1st – 200 points
2nd – 160 points
Semi-Finals – 120 points
1st Round – 80 points

Action kicked off Friday night with a freestyle-only warm-up to the weekend’s competition and all the trucks put on a great show for the fans in attendance.

The real action got started Saturday afternoon as the trucks took to the S-course for some intense side by side racing. The focus was on the championship contenders in round one as Mark Hall in Raminator made quick work of Bobby Holman in Lucas Oil Stabilizer while Dan Runte in Bigfoot dodged the powerful punch of the Heavy Hitter, taking out the impressive rookie Derick Anson in a close race. Mat Dishman looked strong in Rammunition as he took down Bryan Wright in Black Knight while Dave Radzierez cruised to victory in the Star Marshal when Chris Bergeron in General Tire was unable to make the call.

The semi-final round began with Raminator taking on Star Marshal for a trip to the finals and Mark Hall laid down a solid pass to defeat Razeriez. That win put the pressure on Runte as he had to race Mat Dishman in Rammunition. The two waged a great battle but Dishman used the big momentum off the outside lane coming to the line to edge out Runte and knock out Bigfoot. This would effectively close the point gap to 40 as Hall moved on to the finals.

In the all Hall Brothers Racing finale, Hall would have the chance to tie it all up by taking down his teammate. But in monster truck racing, there aren’t any team orders and Dishman would pull out all the stops to try and beat the boss. In another great battle, Dishman used the outside lane once again to carry incredible speed coming to the line, leaving Raminator in the dust and taking his third win of the 2011 General Tire Monster Truck Thunder Drags season. The race would be a missed opportunity for Hall as he exited the first race of the weekend still 40 points behind Runte.

A Hall Brothers Racing showdown in the finals of the Saturday afternoon race would see Mat Dishman in Rammunition in victory lane.

Here is a look at the racing bracket results and points after race #1:

Round One

Raminator def. Lucas Oil Stabilizer
Star Marshal def. General Tire (General Tire unable to make call)
Bigfoot def. Heavy Hitter
Rammunition def. Black Knight

Semi-Finals

Raminator def. Star Marshal
Rammunition def. Bigfoot

Final Round

Rammunition def. Raminator

Unofficial Point Standings – After Saturday Afternoon Race

1st – Bigfoot – 1600
2nd – Raminator – 1560
3rd – Rammunition – 1440
4th – General Tire – 1200
5th – Lucas Oil Stabilizer – 960
6th – Star Marshal – 920
7th – Avenger – 880
8th – Chalkboard Chuck – 640
9th – Crushstation – 600
10th – Samson – 440
11th – Black Knight – 320
12th – Heavy Hitter – 80

Kid KJ impressed all weekend as he continues to improve, pulling off some great moves in his mini monster truck, the Monster Bear.

After a great freestyle display from all the trucks to close out the afternoon event, the teams would go to work on the trucks with one race under their belts and a better idea of the adjustments needed to improve on the setups for the evening race. The focus in round one would continue to be on Bigfoot and Raminator with the gap close to just 40 points.

Rich Hilgendorf leads the way in freestyle Saturday afternoon with a great performance from the Avenger.

Round one racing would see Dan Runte in Bigfoot make quick work of Joe Nichter in Stomper while Mark Hall in Raminator would receive a bye run when Rich Hilgendorf in Avenger was unable to make the call due to rear steering issues. Derick Anson in Heavy Hitter made Mat Dishman sweat in their match-up as he was pulling away when the truck swung wide in the final turn, making contact with and knocking over the giant O’Reilly’s inflatable to the delight of the crowd. Dishman would go on to win. “Hillbilly” would be back behind the wheel of the Black Knight and was very solid in his win over Bobby Holman in Chalkboard Chuck.

The semi-finals would see what might have been one of the most important races of the weekend as the two championship contenders went head to head. If Runte could win it, he would move back to 80 points ahead of Hall, while if Raminator won, the points race would be all tied up. Both trucks charged off the line, but Runte made great time through the rhythm section, entering the final turn very close on the inside. With a perfect turn, Runte was able to put the power down and leave Raminator behind, taking a huge win to move on to the finals. In the other semi-final match-up, “Hillbilly” in Black Knight made Mat Dishman work for it but lost it in the final turn as Rammunition powered by for the victory.

With an 80 point lead going into the final round, Runte could effectively wrap up the championship with a win in the finals. If he could carry a 120 point lead into the final race, he would need only to start and even if Hall won the Sunday event, the points would result in a tie for the championship. The tiebreaker would be # of race wins on the season and that would go to Runte and Bigfoot with 5 wins.

Not being exactly aware of the math, Dan Runte did know that a win in the finals would be huge and had Bigfoot on kill, ready to try and take down Mat Dishman and Rammunition. Dishman had looked great all weekend in the outside lane coming to the finish and that is the lane he had for the finals. The trucks stayed near even to the final turn where Runte whipped Bigfoot around in a perfect turn allowing him to get the power down as Dishman came charging hard on the outside. At the line, it was Runte taking the win by about a truck length but Rammunition came flying by in the air leaving the trucks side by side as they landed.

Dan Runte in Bigfoot takes a decisive final round victory Saturday night in Indy, while Mat Dishman charges hard toward the shutdown area.

Both trucks took hard landings but Bigfoot landed sideways, breaking a sway bar and sending the truck towards Rammunition. Runte gave a great effort to gather up Bigfoot but it would be to no avail as the trucks made contact, sending both out of control. There was no saving Bigfoot as Runte went for a hard rollover onto the cab and then back onto the wheels. Dishman continued on trying to save the truck but finally the tires caught in the dirt sending Rammunition over hard onto the cage.

Bigfoot and Rammunition make contact in the shutdown area which would send both trucks out of control and over onto their lid.

Track officials and crew members and drivers ran to the trucks as thankfully both drivers emerged slightly shaken up but otherwise unscathed from the hard crash. Officials made a quick review to ensure the call was correct, and yes it was Bigfoot by a truck length at the finish line taking the win and all but wrapping up the championship.

After a lengthy cleanup on the track and darkness consuming the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the decision was made by track officials to cancel freestyle in the interest of safety. With the layout changes due to the closing of the main grandstand, the big lights atop the grandstand were unavailable leaving much of the track in near complete darkness.

Here are the full results and resulting point standings after race #2:

Round One

Bigfoot def. Stomper
Raminator def. Avenger (Avenger unable to make call)
Rammunition def. Heavy Hitter
Black Knight def. Chalkboard Chuck

Semi-Finals

Bigfoot def. Raminator
Rammunition def. Black Knight

Final Round

Bigfoot def. Rammunition

Unofficial Point Standings – After Saturday Night Race

1st – Bigfoot – 1800
2nd – Raminator – 1680
3rd – Rammunition – 1600
4th – General Tire – 1200
5th – Lucas Oil Stabilizer – 960
6th – Avenger – 960
7th – Star Marshal – 920
8th – Chalkboard Chuck – 720
9th – Crushstation – 600
Tie – 10th – Samson – 440
Tie – 10th – Black Knight – 440
13th – Heavy Hitter – 160
14th – Stomper – 80

To clinch the championship title, Runte and the Bigfoot team would at least have to make an appearance in round one in the final race on Sunday. As the team checked over the truck, they found several spots in the chassis that would need welding and immediately sent out calls to team drivers Larry Swim and Darron Schnell to be on standby to bring Bigfoot #14 and Bigfoot #11 from their display events to Indianapolis for Runte to compete in on Sunday. After further review of the damage, the team decided to make the repairs to #16 and working through the night and into the morning, the truck was ready to race on Sunday.

The very first race would see the championship decided without question or need for a tiebreaker as Dan Runte and Bigfoot cruised to an easy victory over Joe Nichter in Stomper. With the teams not 100% of the points math in the pits, all Mark Hall knew was that he needed to win and hope for the best, and he began that quest by marching to victory over Rich Hilgendorf in Avenger. Derick Anson in Heavy Hitter continued to impress as he defeated Mat Dishman in Rammunition, while Bobby Holman scored his first round win of the weekend, driving Chalkboard Chuck to the victory over Black Knight.

Even though the championship math had already been decided, this was still not certain in the pits setting up a huge match-up between Bigfoot and Raminator in the semi-finals. In what was probably the closest race of the entire weekend, Dan Runte edged Mark Hall by less than a tire length to erase any doubt as he moved on to the finals and was officially announced by Family Events to the crowd as the 2011 General Tire Monster Truck Thunder Drags Champion. Derick Anson cruised to the win over Chalkboard Chuck and was looking to really make an impression with a win in the finals.

Dan Runte defeats Mark Hall in the closest race of the weekend in the Sunday semi-finals.

The championship battle started close going into Indy, but Dan Runte like the legend and champion he is, never faltered and now entered the final round with the opportunity to celebrate the title with yet another win on the season. Anson was looking to spoil the Bigfoot party and gave a great effort, giving Runte all he could handle. As they came out of the final turn, Runte began to pull away and took the big win. Bigfoot cruised by the stands as they crowd saluted Dan Runte as the Sunday racing victor and the 2011 General Tire Monster Truck Thunder Drags champion.

Dan Runte takes the final win of the weekend on Sunday, taking down the impressive Derick Anson in Heavy Hitter.

Freestyle would see great efforts from all the trucks and drivers as they closed out a great 30th Anniversary of the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Chris Bergeron lets it all hang out in the General Tire machine in the Sunday freestyle finale.

Here are the bracket results from the final race and the unofficial final season point standings:

Round One

Bigfoot def. Stomper
Raminator def. Avenger
Heavy Hitter def. Rammunition
Chalkboard Chuck def. Black Knight

Semi-Finals

Bigfoot def. Raminator
Heavy Hitter def. Chalkboard Chuck

Final Round

Bigfoot def. Heavy Hitter

Unofficial Point Standings – After Sunday Afternoon Race

1st – Bigfoot – 2000
2nd – Raminator – 1800
3rd – Rammunition – 1680
4th – General Tire – 1200
5th – Lucas Oil Stabilizer – 960
6th – Avenger – 740
7th – Star Marshal – 920
8th – Chalkboard Chuck – 840
9th – Crushstation – 600
Tie – 10th – Samson – 440
Tie – 10th – Black Knight – 520
13th – Heavy Hitter – 320
14th – Stomper – 160

All of us at TheMonsterBlog.com would like to send a big congratulations to Dan Runte and all of Team BIGFOOT on their 2011 General Tire Monster Truck Thunder Drags title. We would also like to salute Hall Brothers Racing on their incredible 10 year streak of winning that championship. Although the streak may have ended, there is no denying that their decade of domination is one of the greatest feats in monster truck history.

Stay tuned for an incredible amount of TMB coverage coming your way from the 30th Indianapolis 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals. You’ll see photo galleries from Danny Maass and Paul Harry, a highlight video from Colby Marshall and full event coverage in two episodes of Chris Parrish’s ActionTracks. Be sure to check out the TMB Facebook for more teaser photos from the weekend’s action.

A big thanks to everyone with Family Events for their hospitality this weekend and to all the teams and drivers for their great efforts this season, and also a big tip of the hat to new head track official Lee Collins on really taking some of the racing at the Jamborees to the next level this year with some great track designs including the unique S-track this weekend in Indy.

After such an incredible season of General Tire Monster Truck Thunder Drags racing, we’re already counting down to Springfield, Missouri in 2012 where the chase for another championship will begin anew!

(Article by Ross Z. Bonar, Photos By Danny Maass & Bob Chandler, Video Footage By Ross Z. Bonar & Michael Harry)

Lucas Oil to Sponsor 4-Wheel Jamboree Series

(Indianapolis, Indiana) Family Events will celebrate 30 years of 4-Wheel Jamborees with a new series sponsor in 2011. The Lucas Oil Products, Inc. will sponsor the series to be called the “Lucas Oil 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals Series”. These four weekends of family entertainment focused on celebrating the 4×4 lifestyle and “everything trucks” will be held in Springfield, MO; Lima, OH; Bloomsburg, PA; and Indianapolis, IN.

Family Events president Mike Moore said, “2011 is our landmark 30th anniversary of producing the 4-Wheel Jamborees. We are forever indebted to our loyal 4×4 fans that have spent their weekends with our shows over the years. And we are very proud to announce that the biggest name in motorsports sponsorship is coming aboard. Lucas Oil sponsors our major West Coast event, The Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo; and we have really enjoyed our partnership in producing the premiere event for off-roaders in the West. With Lucas Oil’s sponsorship of our four-show series in the Midwest and East, we plan to enhance the Jamboree experience for all attendees with a goal of creating our biggest and best Jamborees ever. It’s going to be a very special year.”

The Lucas Oil 4-Wheel Jamboree Series features non-stop, affordable entertainment for both participating 4×4 enthusiasts and spectators. Participants show off their creations and shop for the latest, must-have add-ons and supplies for their vehicles in expansive performance marketplaces at each Jamboree. An array of sought-after Lucas Oil products will now be available at the Jamborees at the giant 4-Wheel Parts Company midway displays.

Bob Patison, executive vice president of the Lucas Oil Products, Inc. said, “Lucas Oil is leading the way in off-road racing on the West Coast and nationally on television. We are excited to expand our relationship with Family Events and the 4 Wheel Jamboree Series as we extend Lucas’s footprint into the off-road and truck marketplace to the Midwest and East Coast. Our new alignment with 4 Wheel Parts completes the retail sales platform at each of the events and will enhance the exposure of our product lines throughout the country.”

The Lucas Oil Jamboree Series provides continuous truck competitions including mud bogging, NMRO mud drag racing, Mickey Thompson Tough Truck® competitions, the Mickey Thompson Tires Burnout cheer-offs, and professionally-judged show-‘n-shine contests. Spectators pack the grandstands to watch America’s top Monster Trucks during the General Tire Monster Truck Thunder Drags® and axle-wrenching freestyles at the Jamborees.

The Lucas Oil 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals Series:

May 14-15, 2011 – Ozark Empire Fairgrounds- Springfield, Missouri
May 20-21-22, 2011 – Allen County Fairgrounds- Lima, Ohio
July 8-9-10, 2011 – Bloomsburg Fairgrounds- Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Sept. 16-17-18, 2011 – Indiana State Fairgrounds- Indianapolis, Indiana

Follow the fun of the season on-line at www.TruckShowNation.com.

Sign up, buy tickets, make reservations, and get complete event news and information at : www.FamilyEvents.com & www.4WheelJamboree.com.

MTRA Weekend In St. Louis

TheMonsterBlog.com Staff was in attendance this weekend for the 24th Annual Monster Truck Racing Association Tech School, Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet.  Members from around the country visited the Sheraton Westport Hotel & Conference Center in St. Louis, Missouri to participate in productive discussion on rule changes and on the future direction of the organization as it prepares for its 25th year of working to improve safety in the monster truck industry.  TMB is thankful for all those members who shared their thoughts, ideas and opinions this weekend and for all those members who participate throughout the year in doing the work of the organization.

To finish up the weekend, members gathered for the MTRA Awards Banquet where the membership honors outstanding achievements by those in the organization. Nominations by the membership were accepted and ballots mailed out, with all members having the opportunity to vote on who they found most deserving for each award. With all the votes tabulated, the winners in each category were announced and presented at last night’s banquet.

The first of the MTRA Awards presented was the Safety Award which is given to the individual who the membership believed did the most to advance safety during the preceding year. The winner was Dan Patrick for all his great work as the MTRA’s Technical Director, a very well deserved honor for a man who has done an incredible amount for the industry over the years.

The Sportsman of the Year Award followed, awarded to the member whose peers believed was the best example of sportsmanship in 2010. The award went to Team Scream who can always be counted on to help out a fellow competitor. A big congratulations on another well deserved award for the team consisting of great guys like new owner/driver members Jim Koehler and Chris Bergeron and the rest of their great crew. The MTRA was very appreciative of Jim and Chris joining the organization in 2010.

Each year the MTRA membership honors their fellow member they feel has done the best job wrenching on and setting up trucks over the long season with the Mechanic of the Year Award. Tim Hall was the winner for 2010 as he helped guide the Hall Brothers Racing team to another Monster Truck Thunder Drags title and to many big wins throughout the year.

Tim Hall, 2010 MTRA Mechanic of the Year

Team who have stepped up their programs with new trucks, better quality equipment and stronger performance are nominated by the membership for the Most Improved Team of the Year Award. The big winner this year was Tim Mente’s Team Natural Disaster with the Storm Damage and Hurricane Force monster trucks. The team expanded to two trucks for 2010, each with great looking graphics and ran strong all season, a big congratulations on a well deserved victory.

Steven Thompson, driver of Hurricane Force, accepts the Most Improved Team Award for Tim Mente's Storm Damage team.

The MTRA’s Jr. Associate program gets kids involved with the organization at an early age as a way for them to learn about monster truck safety. As a fun privilege, the members choose their favorite Driver of the Year each season and this year the winner was Doug Noelke and the great looking Tail Gator truck.

During the middle of the Awards Banquet, MTRA welcomed Promoter Members Family Events and Checkered Flag Productions as they honored their champions from the 2010 season. Family Events honored Mark Hall, their Monster Truck Thunder Drags Champion, Rick Long, the Monster Nationals Racing Champion and Jocelyn Perrin, the Monster Nationals Wheelie and Freestyle Champion. Checkered Flag Productions paid tribute to their 2010 points champion Larry Swim with a great video presentation.

Rick Long, driver of Bigfoot #15, is honored as the 2010 Monster Nationals Racing Champion.

Mark Hall receives his 2010 Monster Truck Thunder Drags Championship Award from Family Events.

Larry Swim gives his acceptance speech after being honored as the 2010 CFP Champion.

The 2010 season saw many great new drivers enter their first full season of monster truck competition. From young guys like Steven Thompson and Mat Dishman to Ryan Rice and even a veteran of the sport who completed his first full season of racing a truck this year, Greg Winchenbach, the MTRA membership had a really great group of rookies to choose from. Coming off a huge win at the Pontiac Silverdome a few weeks back, Mat Dishman was named the MTRA’s Rookie of the Year Award winner. Congratulations to Mat on a great honor from his fellow members.

Mat Dishman, driver of Rammunition, winner of the 2010 MTRA Rookie of the Year Award.

Each year the membership chooses the Promoter Member that they feel put on the best quality events, excelled in the area of event safety and who best supported the MTRA. As the only promoter in 2010 to require MTRA Membership from teams running their events and for operating a series that featured great shows all year with some of the top trucks in the industry, we congratulate Vaters Monster Motorsports on a very well deserved win in this category.

2010 Promoter of the Year, Mike Vaters, Vaters Monster Motorsports.

Every MTRA Certified Truck is up for the Truck of the Year Award which allows the membership to pick the truck they felt was the highest quality, best looking, best performing that season. After some great video clips from Colby Marshall and BMPS Video of all the MTRA Certified Trucks, the announcement came that Tail Gator from the Big Dawg 4×4 team was the big winner. Congratulations to Doug & Brenda Noelke and their great team on this honor from their peers.

Big Dawg 4x4 with their Truck of the Year and Jr. Associate Driver of the Year Awards.

Finally the night ended with one of the longest-running and most prestigious awards in monster trucks, the MTRA Driver of the Year Award. Every driver of an MTRA Certified Truck is nominated for this award and MTRA drivers had great seasons in 2010, many even winning championships in series they ran. On the strength of another Monster Truck Thunder Drags points championship and a great season overall, Mark Hall is your 2010 MTRA Driver of the Year. A big congratulations from all of us at TMB to Mark on this great honor.

Mark Hall accepts the MTRA Driver of the Year Award.

A big thanks from all of us at TheMonsterBlog.com to the MTRA for allowing us to assist in recognizing the accomplishments of this great group of teams in 2010. We always have a great time visiting with all of our friends in the monster truck industry and working with them to support our industry’s only safety organization.

TMB's Colby Marshall, Ross Bonar and Kaedon Berry at the 2010 MTRA Awards Banquet.

We would also like to our good friends “Roller” Jeff Richards and Tyson McKenzie from Monster Truck Radio for being on hand to broadcast live from the MTRA Weekend and for bringing the Banquet to fans live online. Monster Truck Radio is also joining the MTRA as a Sponsor Member in 2011 and we thank them for that support of the organization. Check out their MTRA Weekend Coverage on www.MonsterTruckRadio.com and you can see the full Awards Banquet presentation by clicking the link below.

We encourage everyone who visits TMB to consider joining the MTRA. MTRA is a member ran organization and can only make progress and advancements through the work, input and support of its members – whether you are a promoter, a driver, a sponsor, a fan, it doesn’t matter – everyone can play a part in improving your industry. Visit www.MTRA.us for more information on how you can become a member and roll your sleeves up – there is always work that can be done!

4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Indianapolis, IN – 09/17-19/10

Event:  4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue:  Indiana State Fairgrounds
Location:  Indianapolis, Indiana
Date:  September 17th-19th, 2010
Photographer:  Paul M. Harry

Lineup:  Avenger (Jim Koehler/Rich Hilgendorf), Brutus (Chris Bergeron), Holman’s Beast (Bobby Holman), Ms. Bigfoot #11 (Amber Walker), Retro Bigfoot #16 (Dan Runte), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Geremie Dishman), Tail Gator (Doug Noelke) [Read more…]