The Evolution Of Monster Trucks
Shows featuring monster trucks, or jacked up trucks, have become a popular sports event for those who love extreme vehicles. These event feature a variety of monster trucks that compete in various events like car jumps or car crush and mud racing. This was all started by one guy and his creation of the first jacked up truck.
Bob Chandler, a construction worker from Missouri, decided to modify his pickup after hearing about an idea that was proposed to the Army. The idea was to provide steering capability to both axles of the truck. Bob decided to try this on his own truck using military axles and he ended up creating Bigfoot, the first monster truck.
At first he would take his truck off-roading on the weekend. Then he soon learned that the local auto parts stores didn't have the parts he needed to repair his modified truck. So with the help of his wife and friend he started his own truck supply store.
He used his truck to promote the store, then in an effort to draw more attention to his business he entered Bigfoot in a truck and tractor pull. Bigfoot, with it's raised clearance and monster truck tires, made an impression and started drawing bigger crowds. Things really took off when he performed what was meant to be a joke and what may be the first car crush ever. It was done in a farmers field with permission from the farmer. That was the start of a whole new form of entertainment.
Since then the monster truck genre grew and has become increasingly popular. Now you can go to arena shows all over the country to see multiple monster trucks racing, crushing cars or even spitting fire. Enthusiasts work to make the trucks and tires bigger and more unique in one way or another. Some go strictly for size and the visual wow factor, and some focus more on the performance or extra features, like spitting fire.