Gravedigger versus Megalon
Most people have never heard of “Monster Jam” and probably only imagined that there are people who get paid to go from town to town driving $250,000 dune buggies right side up and sideways and upside down splattering dirt far and wide. And people pay hundreds of dollars to see them make a big mess and do tricks with their specially built “trucks” that only a 5 year old can imagine with the Monster Truck in his little hand.
These folks (most of which are specially licensed and trained) drive these vehicles over ramps and bumps to make the trucks go airborne. Each truck has special gigantic tires that cost as much as $2500 each, mounted on chassis that allow the truck to drive while vertical on its front or back wheels. The tires also are great for throwing great plumes of dirt in the air. Of course there is lots of roar and smoke as well. Yes, it’s a lot like the cartoons your little people watch on TV or imagine as they run around the house with their latest Monster truck Christmas gift. In fact Hasbro “Hot Wheels” has a whole division devoted to making miniature Monster trucks for future stunt drivers to collect and imagine with.
The paint jobs and graphics on each vehicle are creative works in their own right. Since the body panels are mostly fiberglass though it is very common as the event drivers are crashing and running into barriers and trying to climb walls that some or all the body has to be replaced after an event. The bottom line is the events that surprisingly are held inside arenas and stadiums for 6 to 8 months of the year. The arena floor is filled with dirt and barriers and ramps and jumps are built right into the floor of the stadium. A Monster Jam calls for drivers to individually and in some events race in groups not so much for speed but to complete an obstacle course or just to show off their most hair raising, gravity defying expertise. The bottom line is that thousands of folks will pay big money to be there with the roar of 1500 horsepower engines and smoke and dirt flying everywhere. At least these self exhibition tricks are in a confined are off road performed by highly trained drivers backed up by highly engineered vehicles meant to be treated like your son does his toys. The video below shows some of the tricks real people would never try to do sober.
Driving humor
A man is pulled over for recklessly speeding at 3am
The police officer demands to know: “Where are you rushing to at 3am?”
The man answers: “To hear a lecture.”
The police officer asks: A lecture? Who is giving a lecture at this hour of the night?”
The man responds: “My wife!”
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion or ethnic background, is that we all believe we are above-average drivers.
Did you hear about the boy who survived being run over by a monster truck?
When reporters interviewed him at the hospital he was alert and said that he just felt very tired.
A lot of women are turning into good drivers.
So, if you’re a good driver, watch out for turning women!
January 19th Birthdays
1991 – Erin Sanders, 1946 – Dolly Parton, 1982 – Jodie Sweetin, 1948 – Paula Deen
1994 – Josh Dylan, 1809 – Edgar Allen Poe, 1971 – Shawn Wayans, 1992 – Logan Lerman