A monster truck is a specialized off-road vehicle with heavy-duty suspension, four-wheel steering, large-displacement V8 engines, and oversized tires constructed for competition and entertainment. Initially created by modifying stock pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), monster trucks have evolved into purpose-built vehicles with tube-frame chassis and fiberglass bodies rather than metal. A competition monster truck is typically 12 feet (3.7 m) tall and has 66-inch (1.7 m) off-road tires.
Monster trucks developed in the late 1970s and became popular in the early 1980s as side acts at popular motocross, tractor-pulling, and mud-bogging events, where they were used in car-crushing demonstrations. Today, they are usually the main attraction, with motocross, mud bogging, ATV racing, or demolition derbies as supporting events.
Monster Truck Events
Monster truck shows typically have two main events: a race and a freestyle stunt driving competition. Races are conducted as a single-elimination tournament on short, symmetrical tracks, which may include obstacles such as junk cars or dirt mounds. The length and complexity of the track can vary with the size of the venue, with courses in indoor arenas typically being shorter with fewer obstacles.
In freestyle events, drivers perform stunts such as obstacle jumps, backflips, wheelies, and doughnuts. Judges assign points to each performance, and the driver with the most points is declared the winner. Historically, additional vehicles for the drivers to crush, such as motor homes and school buses, were placed on the track specifically for the freestyle event, however incidents of debris flying into the stands and causing serious injuries have influenced most event promoters to turn away from such obstacles.
Most freestyle courses now consist primarily of large mounds and ramps erected to allow trucks to perform large jumps and wheelies upon landing. As a safety measure, freestyle performances have a set time limit, and only one truck is allowed on the track at a time. Freestyle events are typically the final competition of a show, as damage to the trucks would prevent them from racing. Wikipedia