Monster Truck

The word 'monster' immediately brings to mind something huge and scary. The exact term can also be used to describe a monster truck, a modified extreme vehicle built with very large wheels, which is popularly used for entertainment automobile shows. During the late 1970s, many truck owners started modifying their trucks to develop the biggest trucks for competing in such automobile events. The Dane brother's King Kong and Bob Chandler's Bigfoot trucks received wide publicity with a tire size of 48 inches in diameter. King Kong was used to drive over automobiles at fairs, officially marking it as the first truck to crush cars in front of an audience. Bigfoot's diameter was increased to 66 inches and the term 'monster truck' came into being. Soon there was a rage to construct bigger, heavier and meaner monster trucks. Heavier military axles and leaf-spring suspensions were being used. In 1985, races using monster trucks were organized, eventually compelling truck owners to build lighter and more powerful trucks. Fibreglass bodies, lighter axles were used to reduce the weight of the huge vehicles. In 1988, a Monster Truck Racing Association MTRA was formed to standardize truck specifications and safety features. Revolutionary Nitrogen compression shock absorbers were introduced into the monster trucks to cushion the landings. The trucks now incorporate a hydraulic four-wheel steering. A typical monster truck show consists of crushing smaller cars under the vehicle's humongous tires. The event also includes racing and freestyle events in which the drivers are free to perform stunts such as spinning the truck and rolling it over and dodging obstacles.