SIDEWALKS own videographer / writer J.P. Langston and host Richard R. Lee checked out Monster Jam 2015.
You’d be in for an adrenalin rush watching monstrous 4x4s flying 130 feet across a dirt track. These monster trucks have the ability to hop in the air 30 feet and perform awesome stunts with grace like a ballerina. This is Monster Jam 2015, and it is every bit of exhilarating as its title exclaims. Each driver gets down and dirty – literally – as they go head-to-head in two competition settings to defend their titles.
As “Sidewalks Entertainment” creator / host Richard R. Lee and I made our way to our seats at O.co Coliseum, the outdoor stadium for the Oakland Athletics and Oakland Raiders, we can hear the roar of these behemoths echoing through out the arena.
My earliest memories of monster trucks go back to when I was a kid. I remember being planted in front of the TV Saturday afternoons, wishing I could be there to take in the sights and sounds. Seeing as Richard and I have attended this live event for the first time, I find my childhood recollections coming to pass. We were both stoked to hop into the action.
Before the show, guests were treated to a party in the pits. Here they can get up close and personal with the drivers, take photos and receive autographs. Then, the show begins with fireworks and monster trucks on parade. I like to think of them as 12 foot high floats with 1500 horse powered engines and fat 66 inch tires.
The first half of the show is the bracket race, where two trucks line up on opposites ends of the track. To give you an example of how this competition works, watch horse barrel racing. Each truck must make their way around an oval course down to the center to the finish. They do this twice in a mirror match for the best time slot. It is amazing watching these 10,000-pound machines scurry around the course with such nimbleness. Four wheeled steering makes it possible to maneuver them with ease.
The real fun begins in the second half, which is the main event. The freestyle is where the drivers are put through their paces in true showmanship. I was impressed with the awesome abilities of such gargantuan machines. Yet, the fun didn’t stop there as you get two shows in one. Two separate races take place, the mini quad races and autocross just to keep viewers interested.
2nd half highlights of the February 21, 2015 event we attended would be the first truck up, Mohawk Warrior. Warrior performs a near flawless track run before turning his rig over at the last minutes of his stint. Other highlights include everyone’s favorite Grave Digger, who attempted a full back flip, yet lost it on the landing. Metal Mulisha floated like a butterfly during his run until his transaxle nearly caught fire. The heat from it was so extreme it lit up like Christmas lights and which left him stalled for a short time. He managed to restart his truck and finish the race in a good position.
Max-D and El Toro Loco also kept the crowd on their feet. Max-D was fighting to keep his title as 11-time Monster Jam World Finals champion, as his run went smoothly. But, of course, a Monster Truck rally just wouldn’t be fun without drama. He turned his truck completely over and tried to spin his tires to build up momentum. By doing this, he would be able to right the truck; yet, this proved unsuccessful for the champion. His night was over and the loaders had to wench his truck over and off the track. El Toro Loco with its signature smoke blowing through hood nostrils was a hit with the crowd. He was one of few that gave a near flawless performance without incident.
The Freestyle results from our night (Freestyle competition allows drivers 90 seconds, plus a 30 second bonus period; “+” numbers are bonus points):
Grave Digger: 36+4= 40
Metal Mulisha: 39
Max-D: 38
Grave Digger the Legend: 35+3= 38
Dragon: 29
Soldier Fortune: 27+2= 29
Mohawk Warrior: 39
Double Trouble: 13
Trouble Maker: 22
Terminator: 23+2= 25
El Toro Loco®: 29+2= 31
The Patriot: 26+2= 28
Shocker: 33
Time Fly’s: 31
Detour: 28+2= 30
Destroyer: 20+1= 21
Playn For Keeps: 21+1= 22
Our Monster Jam show ended spectacularly with the drivers coming out unscathed. This is more than I can say about the trucks. The winning drivers gave away their trophies to a couple of adoring fans. One kid even received a helmet from the driver of Max-D.
It was two hours of excitement for the entire family. You are sure to get your money’s worth with Monster Jam.
