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U.S. TRUCK FEST 97
13th, 14th & 15th June 1997
At the Charlotte Motor Speedway,
Charlotte North Carolina, USA
This was the first Truck Fest by the USHRA,
organized by PACE Motor Sports,
which I'm sure will become a big annual event.
The show which lasted three days, was full of action, with never a dull moment, as there was always things to see or do.
As well as the Monster Trucks, there where Show & shine trucks, Ruff Trux, Sand Dragsters, Manufactures stalls, & Extreme
Sports (BMX's & skateboard'ers, doing tricks & stunts.)
This was my first time at a monster truck race, & I had a great time.
The fact that I travelled half way around the world to attend the event,
tells you something of how serious I am about the sport.
The Monster Trucks which raced, where divided into two classes:-
The Monster Truck Championship class, which where Grave Digger ,
Bear Foot ,
Carolina Crusher,
Snakebite ,
Monster Patrol ,
BIGFOOT 14 ,
Boogey Van ,
Wild Thang,
Predator &
Overkill. These where the top ten trucks, which where also known as the Purse trucks, as they race for the big money.
And the Monster Truck Challenge class, which where
Cyborg,
Thrasher ,
Sudden Impact ,
Towasauraus Wrex ,
Black Stallion ,
War Wagon ,
Clydsdale ,
Reptoid,
Blown Thunder ,
Survivor,
Gun Slinger ,
Thunder Dog,
Liquidator ,
Ground Pounder ,
Orange Krate ,
King Krunch ,
Avenger &
Little Tiger.
The Championship trucks had a turning course, while the challenge trucks had a straight course.
The Raptor
truck owned by Sam & Jill Marino was also there. They where promoting
a new 44 inch tire class of monster trucks, which they are trying get started.
There where also four ride trucks, Safarifoot (BIGFOOT 2)Snakebite Safarifoot 2 (BIGFOOT 3), Predator & Side Winder
Also there was a sponsored disply truck on show.
 
The friday started off with drivers meeting, on the friday morning, were one of things that was said to all of the drivers, was that they where not allowed to do doughnuts on the grass (go round & round in circles, in the same spot,) as it would tear up the grass, & would cost them a lot of money to get it re-turfed. (see the donut page, to see who wasn't listening !!!)
As the show was in North Carolina, the two crowd favourite trucks were the Carolina Crusher & the Grave Digger truck,
as they where both from North Carolina. So when they raced the crowd went wild !
The highlight of the weekend, had to be the incredible crash of the King Krunch truck, driven by Scott Stevens. Click on the link to crash page, to see what happened.
While I was at the show, I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by, of not having a ride in one of the ride trucks.
I opt'ed for the BIGFOOT truck as it is, and will always be my one of my favourite trucks.
I also got to meet all of the drivers in the pits & sit in the Overkill & Bear Foot truck,
while they where parked on top of some crushed cars.
I was also interviewed by Jerry Bernardo from the tv show 'Inside Monster Jam' who where covering the event for ESPN 2.
I would like to take this opportunity say a big thank you to everyone
who made my visit to the Truck Fest & the USA, an enjoyable & memorable occassion. You know who you are !
Click on the links below, to see pictures & information about the three days of monster truck racing
Fridays Racing ,
Saturdays Racing ,
Sundays Racing ,
King Krunch Crash pictures , (may take some to load. Please be patient)
Monster Truck Doughnuts
Just a few of my photo's from the 1997 Truck Fest
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