Man… what is it about a monster truck that turns all of us into little kids again?
When we’re young, we see those big trucks up close, and watch ’em smash everything in their path, and our jaws just drop at what these huge machines can do. I still remember the first big name monster truck, Bigfoot, that captured the imagination, along with a truck with the coolest paint job I ever saw, Grave Digger…
But I’ll let you in on a little secret… even when you’re a grown-up, they still have the same effect.
The only difference is that when we grow up, we learn more about how monster trucks and their drivers can do what they do, and you get more of an appreciation of the technical side, not to mention the nerves of steel it takes to get about one of those monsters.
A few years ago in 2017, when “Monsters & Mayhem” came to Yorkton, I got to knock an item off of my bucket list, when I got to DRIVE a monster truck, when I got to jump behind the wheel of “Deogee” for a driving lesson!
I had to learn how to steer that big ol’ machine, as there are separate controls for the front and rear wheel. But once I got the hang of it, I was tearing up the infield of the track at the Yorkton Exhibition Grounds. Not gonna lie… I did manage to break a small part on the truck somehow, but the crew got it fixed in time for the show. Check out the video here:
Then, in 2019, I got to do it again, as I drove “Skeletor.” That time around, I got to take some contest winners for a spin, with me at the wheel!
What a blast!
Then a couple of years ago, we teamed up with Monsters & Mayhem on a contest in which a lucky winner got to ride in style, joined by some pals, to go to school in a monster truck – in this instance, “Identity Theft” – which they all agreed was much better than any school bus, right?
And this year, we did it again, with Charles and his pals winning the opportunity to CRUZ (see what I did there) down Broadway aboard the “Rabid Rabbit.” Judging by the noise we heard coming from the truck while we followed along in the Cruzmobile, The boys were hootin’ and hollerin’ and having a ton of fun! I think it’s safe to say a fantastic time was had by all!
The guys got to take a spin up Broadway, and rip around the infield of the track. Then, when the ride was over, each one of the fellas got a toy monster truck of their own, and they were able to come back for the Friday night performance of “Monsters & Mayhem,” and enjoy another ride aboard the “Rabid Rabbit!”
And after I wrapped up my live-on-location on Saturday, I stuck around to catch the action on display at the Legacy Co-op Grandstand, and what a show!
You had the big monster trucks rippin’ around the course, (which the drivers said was the best course they’ve run on this tour, which features all-Canadian drivers, by the way!) Then, the super-modified mini monster trucks did their thing. I still don’t know how the drivers fit into those little trucks, but they put on a great show. And the freestyle motocross was something to see. Those guys got some huge air off the ramp, engaging in aerial acrobatics that I would never be brave enough to try! If I were to give that a go, I’d find so many new and exciting ways to injure myself!
And the grandstand was PACKED!!! You love seeing a huge crowd, because those putting on the show always go the extra mile when there’s a ton of folks cheering them on!
It was a big, loud, dusty weekend full of roaring horsepower, and everyone in attendance had a great time!
Finally, a huge thank you to Performance Promotions and Outlaws of Motorsports, Baillie Boys Towing and the Yorkton RCMP for helping up give Charles and the gang the ride of a lifetime!
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