#Steven Snellen

[monstersmonthly]

Hot Wheels Invades National Champions to Conclude Winter Season

Being a champion means being the absolute best at what one does. That’s something the New England Patriots said in early February when they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy for a sixth time. Joey Logano raised the Monster Energy Championship last November at Homestead, and weeks prior, the best team by far in Major League Baseball raised a World Series trophy, the Boston Red Sox.

Each event for Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is considered it’s own championship event. No season points, no multiple champions, but at the end of each show is a champion.

The final week of the winter tour for the tour invaded a venue that not long ago got to say they were the best. It was in early April when the Virginia Cavaliers could tell the world they were the absolute best in college basketball, as they won the bracket and brought home the biggest title in basketball. It was only fitting that the final stop come at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Cavaliers’ home court. The hardwood was not on the floor for this weekend, but rather stacks of cars, tires, and vans to welcome droves of fans for some intense action on what has been a spectacular start to the series.

Saturday provided an evening show with a full Crash Zone to every fan with a paid ticket, many of which waited hours for the doors to open prior to the show.

Once the red carpets were moved, and the trucks did their traditional parade lap for introductions, the stacked crowd was ready for some intense competition, and they got that right away with the opening wheelie contest.

Every truck attacked the cars with power, but going early had its benefits because one week removed from his first Titan Cup, Cody Holman made the Bone Shaker hot rod roar to life, sending the skull on the nose towards the roof each hit. Despite the remaining five trucks putting on a strong effort, Holman was the top dog in the show, taking the opening competition.

After a bit of entertainment by hosts Ken Navitsky and Freddie Shepard, it was time to spin things into the donut competition, but it ultimately was more of the same since once again, Snellen took the V8 Bomber into a cyclone that smoked up the venue, and put his streak of consecutive contest wins at 20, an unbelievable mark.

But, following the antics of freestyle motocross, one truck would go on ad dominate the remaining events of the evening.

Derick Anson was held out of a Titan Cup a week ago in the Demo Derby Cadillac. However, he was not wanting to give up and decided to push his chassis to the limit on this evening. He started out quickly with a strong launch in the long jump competition, something he’s been accustomed to all year long. Then, after intermission, he worked his way through the bracket and matched up against Christian Norman in the Hot Wheels Racing 1 Raptor. A quick reaction time and a heavy right foot put Anson on top on this night, meaning he was in prime position for the overall championship.

All that was left was freestyle, but that competition got off to a rough, and wild, beginning.

Darron Schnell was one of the early trucks to take to the track and decided to take the all-blue Bigfoot machine right to the center of the track and hammer the van stack. The problem was, the rear tires were not quite straight on the stack, unlike the front. The truck pitched hard to the left, and hammered the concrete floor. Despite laying on the throttle trying to get the truck to correct, the concrete won and Bigfoot was on it’s side, the second roll for any truck on the circuit.

Immediately officials hit the kill radio and rushed to the truck, along with Norman, his brother Phillip, and Schnell’s wife, Rebecca. Luckily, the driver was alright. After maneuvering the truck around a bit in order to have enough room to put the truck on the wheels, the truck was righted onto the tires, and the crews reviewed the aftermath.

Surprisingly, the body itself only showed some scuff marks right on the cab where it slid across the floor. But, the left-front wheel was a different story. The tire was holding air, but the rim itself was bent hard, and would ultimately need replaced.

Still, the truck fired back up and was pulled into the pits, allowing the competition to continue.

As the action got back under way, every truck pushed things harder, including Snellen almost getting on his side after a cross-thread hit on the cars. But, at the end of it all, Anson would push harder than anyone and ultimately be declared the winner, and that was more than enough to take home the Titan Cup on this night. A champion once again, Anson celebrated with the fans afterwards in the autograph line.

SATURDAY RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donut Contest: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals: Derick Anson, Demo Derby, def. Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1

Freestyle: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

It became all-hands on to ensure all the trucks were ready for the final performance of not just the weekend, but also the final performance of the winter tour. Teams were working together to make sure the Bigfoot truck was ready to go for the mid-afternoon matinee, when in fact there was not as much damage as expected. Aside from the bent rim and the body rub, the actual chassis was fully intact.

Call them battle scars, or call it pushing the envelope, but every team was prepared for the final performance and showed it when the fans came in for the final crash zone.

What became of the final performance was a truck that only had one Cup to his name, but decided to make the ultimate performance on this day. Bobby Holman had the most unique body on his truck all season, an aquatic mammal that was deemed the Tiger Shark. To start the Sunday program, that Shark pointed its nose directly at the roof of the arena on both hits, enough to earn him the top honors to start the afternoon.

Snellen once again decided to spin his way to a donut victory, what would be his 21st consecutive, but then Bobby showed that the ole Shark can sky out of the water along with look to the roof.

His long jump victory gave him two wins on the night, which was more than when he won his Titan Cup a few weeks prior. When it came to racing, the Hall of Fame driver showed he too can still get the job done on the lights, as he bested even Anson to get the racing victory on the afternoon. At that point, with three wins, the Cup was heading back to Ohio, but the Shark was wanting to make a near sweep of the event.

Alas, Anson had other ideas.

For a second straight day, the Demo Derby machine was roaring to life and made the floor of the John Paul Jones Arena his own personal playground. Anson would be the freestyle champion, but on the final show, it was the Tiger Shark taking home the Titan Cup, and bragging rights.

SUNDAY RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Donut Contest: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump: Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Racing Finals: Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion: Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

And there it is, the final event of the winter tour for the inaugural Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live season. So, does that mean that everything is done, and the tour will be dormant for the next seven or eight months?

Far from it. As was posted on the Hot Wheels Live Facebook page, this Friday will be a major announcement. According to the post, the “smashing and crashing is not done yet.”

So, does this mean some summer dates have been achieve, maybe perhaps some shows that are not set up at arenas, but more along the lines of being outdoors? After all, these trucks have only done shows on concrete. Could we see some faster speeds, bigger air, and even bigger obstacles following the announcement?

All we know is Friday is a big day for the tour, and immediately after, be sure to visit HotWheelsMonsterTrucksLive.com to find out even more details.

[optometrist0]

I Need An Eye Exam

Contents

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[monstersmonthly]

Three Titan Cup Winners Open March Leg of Hot Wheels Live

February was coming to a close, with one extra day to enjoy the competition, and the Hot Wheels Live U.S. Tour was ready to give fans a leap into the high-horsepower action on leap year weekend.  After a weekend in North Dakota, the tour made a short trip south and east, heading into Rockford, Illinois, at the BMO Harris Bank Center for a trifecta of events to close out February, and also start March.

All six teams rolled in ready to run hard, and give all the fans exactly what they wanted.  However, one team was rolling in with a slightly different look.

Christian Norman rolled in with the Hot Wheels Racing Raptor, and right alongside was the classic retro Bigfoot.  However, there was a little different look as to who was at the wheel.  Rodney Tweedy was not sitting in the seat this weekend, as it was “Mad” Mike Miller, who joined Bigfoot last season after many years with Hall Brothers Racing, that got to experience the thrill of having the old-school truck as his for the weekend.

The usual field rolled in and were ready to give a packed crowd that came out for the Crash Zone and then made their way into the seats, ready for the first of a three-show slate over two days.

Saturday afternoon kicked off with last weekend’s final Titan Cup champion, Cody Holman, launching the resident hot rod to the roof on each of his car hits in the Bone Shaker.

Donuts, once more, was a no contest.  Steven Snellen has the cyclones down to a science, so much so that the Ukraine tires that were new a season ago are considerably worn down because of how much rubber he’s left on the concrete.  Still, he spun the V8 Bomber once again into a smoke show, and kept his streak intact.

Derick Anson then got in on the action, launching the Demo Derby Cadillac right across the floor to take home the long jump contest.  Once again, drivers were playing to their strengths heading into intermission, and with two events remaining, the Cup still had yet to be decided.

Racing made things even more of a challenge, since Bobby Holman took a bite out of the entire competition, rolling to victory and literally putting freestyle up for grabs.  In all likelihood, whomever was taking that final win of the night was bringing home the Cup.

That is exactly what happened as Anson rolled in and made a run that was so spectacular, it knocked the hood completely off the chassis.  Demolition was what brought the Demo Derby the victory, and Anson was holding the Cup come the end of the afternoon, despite knowing his team was needing to do some body work for the next show.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON:

Wheelies:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donuts:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Champion:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Freestyle:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

TITAN CUP CHAMPION:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

 A three-show weekend meant one of the days was getting a double-showcase.  As usual, Saturday was just that because the drivers had to go from the autograph line to the pits to assist their teams to prepare for the next round of action.

The track crew once again did their magic, as if Chris Angel had entered the arena and quickly vanished the crushed iron and replaced it with new junk.

What didn’t change, at least for the first two events of the Saturday evening program, was who obtained victories.  The Bone Shaker and V8 Bomber each took their respective wheelies and donut contests, but the long jump changed things up when the Tiger Shark bit into the competition for it’s first win of the night.  At the same time, a repeat was in progress of the first show since the first three events each had a different winner.

But, following intermission it was a changing of the momentum.

Cody Holman decided to get an early double up in points, and victories, as he marched his way through the field to take the racing win, and lead the Cup standings heading into freestyle.  But, Snellen was not going to let this one slip from his grasp.  A thrilling run in freestyle gave him a second win on the night, and meant a point tally was needed to determine who was walking away with the Cup.

This time, Snellen pulled out the win, making sure the Cup was still going back to the Kentucky shop, as Heavy Hitter Racing was looking ahead to a potential clean sweep on Sunday.

SATURDAY EVENING:

Wheelies:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donuts:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Racing Champion:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Freestyle:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

TITAN CUP CHAMPION:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

 The final show of the weekend, the second matinee of the schedule, certainly was one to remember, as when the trucks rolled out for intros, the one that had showed signs of a rough weekend was Demo Derby.  The paint on the tires was wearing off, the entire front clip was missing, and yet still Anson was ready to make an impact and try to take home another Titan Cup.

Ironically for many of the fans who decided to take in every show, things started out with a very familiar look.

The resident hot rod, Bone Shaker, swept the wheelies with yet another pair of sky shots, while Snellen kept his streak intact for donuts.  The Tiger Shark then won the long jump…an exact duplicate of the Saturday night show.  Could it literally be culminating in an exact duplicate of the prior event?

It certainly began to have that feeling, because Cody Holman again took home a racing victory, and put himself at the top of the points entering freestyle.

That streak of familiars came to a halt in freestyle, ad Anson, despite having the missing “dog house” as the monster term has been said, the Demo Derby Cadillac lived up to it’s expectations, and took home the final win of the weekend.

But, the Titan Cup was not heading to Kentucky on this day, but rather heading to Ohio as it was the Bone Shaker at the top of the points, celebrating yet another win on the season.

SUNDAY:

Wheelies:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donuts:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Racing Champion:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Freestyle:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

TITAN CUP CHAMPION:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

 After nine straight weeks of 2-4 show weekends, the U.S. leg of the Hot Wheels tour finally gets a chance to take a breather, and many of the drivers are taking that chance to do some maintenance.  For some, that means a few late nights at the shop, while others also do some maintenance for peace of mind.  Norman decided to take the rare opportunity and get in a little getaway over the weekend, namely to go celebrate his brother, Norman, who turns 28.

The action heats up again after having to go through Friday the 13th, because the next show day is just that…a show day.  Two shows will be on the docket on March 14, as the tour heads to Anson’s home state of Kentucky, and to an arena that is named after another famous face from the Bluegrass State.

The KFC Yum Center will certainly be serving a lot of fried chicken, but it will also serve as the venue where the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live fleet will roll into and take a bite out of the competition.

Get your tickets now so you can see the $4 die-casts become $250,000 beasts.

About The Author

A fan since 1988, at the age of 3, Dustin became more involved in the monster truck industry in the last decade. Through his website, All About Horsepower, and images at Horsepower Photography, he provides great insight into the sport.

[monstersmonthly]

Snellen Snags Two Titan Cups on Chilly Hot Wheels Weekend

It’s never easy when there’s hardly any rest for the weary during the first quarter of monster action.  Every weekend means possibly a trip back to the shop for major repairs, or possibly having to do repairs on the road at another team’s shop just to make it to the next show.  But sometimes, there’s not many options when heading to the next show, and one has to do the repairs on the road.

The Hot Wheels Live tour had a bit of a trip north over the weekend, to the point of the next northern border that would be crossed would mean passports for all.  Week eight for the tour meant a trip to the most northern of the states in the midwest, to North Dakota.  Specifically, the Bismark Events Center in Bismark, for a two-day slate of shows.

By the time the tour prepared for it’s first matinee of the weekend, the crowd already began filing in when the Crash Zone opened up.

The fans surely felt right at home by the time the parade of trucks and introductions took place, and it was then time to start the afternoon in the right way, soaring to the skies for the wheelie competition.  Each truck looked to the roof, but it was the retro fitted Bigfoot machine of Rodney Tweedy that got the fans on their feet the most, as he took the opening win.

It came as no surprise as to who had the donut contest locked down.  Steven Snellen continued his win streak another show with smoking rubber and a steering wheel out the window.  His truck wasn’t as strong on the launch pad, as Bobby Holman made the Tiger Shark leap over the car stack like a rocket.  Three events in, and three different winners.  The Titan Cup was still up for grabs.  Host Ken Navitsky pointed out shortly after that the drivers play to their strengths to get the first win, but it’s trying to get the second that has become key in determining the Titan Cup champion.

After intermission, the Cup still wasn’t clearly in hand, as Cody Holman was the one making his way through the racing bracket to take home his first victory of the weekend in the resident hot rod.

It all came down to freestyle, as points were tight, and it could ultimately come down to just one run to make the declaration of who won the overall show that much harder.  For officials, Snellen made that very easy, as his run was an absolute spectacle of a show, one that gave him that critical second win on the afternoon.  That second win gave him enough points to capture another Titan Cup on the season, one he carried with him all the way to the autograph table to meet the fans once the show concluded.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON:

Wheelies:  Rodney Tweedy, Bigfoot

Donuts:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Racing Champion:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Freestyle:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

TITAN CUP CHAMPION:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

 In between shows, the track crew had only a few hours to maneuver new metal into the arena, and reset the tires for the cars to sit on for the evening show.

Some fans decided to double up on the Saturday slate of shows, ready to see what could happen after a rest period and see who could take home the Titan Cup for a second time.  What they got, at least the ones who decided to take in both shows, was a repeat.

Not just a mirror image, but an exact repeat of earlier.

Every competition from the afternoon event, although different results in each individual competition, had the same winner declared.  Wheelies again went to Tweedy, while Snellen added in another in donuts.  The Holmans then repeated each of their victories, with the Shark in the long jump and the Bone Shaker hot rod again being racing champion.

Snellen then finished out the night with yet another freestyle victory, and another Titan Cup.  Although all the drivers made their way to the autograph line for the fans, the crews were already working hard to get prepared for Sunday’s show, but the track crew was not the only one needing to do work before the final performance.

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Wheelies:  Rodney Tweedy, Bigfoot

Donuts:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Racing Champion:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Freestyle:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

TITAN CUP CHAMPION:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

 Trying to prepare for the Sunday show is often easy, in a way, since there’s more time to get the trucks reset and often at least an opportunity to get some rest.  But, the Bigfoot team was not exactly resting, considering their Saturday night had some torn up equipment.

Tweedy’s run in freestyle ended extremely quick, but justifiably in reasoning.  During a hit on one of the car stacks, the truck soared in the air and twisted.  Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t have been a big deal, but Tweedy’s run was immediately in trouble.  When he hit the stack, the throttle hung wide open and as the truck twisted it landed hard on the back of the chassis, bending the body mounts and also doing damage to both the right bedside and the tailgate.

Track officials let the move happen, and also try to let him fix the issue, but seeing the truck land still under power, the safety crew hit the remote ignition interrupter and shut the truck down.  It was by far the spookiest moment of the weekend to that point, but it meant a long night of repairs was on the way.

By Sunday, the truck was pieced back together, and ready to roll, thanks to Tweedy’s crewman, and son, Logan, plus Christian Norman and the Hot Wheels Racing 1 crew.  Even Norman’s brother, Phillip, who used to work right alongside his brother at Bigfoot, jumped in to make sure the truck would make the show.

He did just that, and once another Crash Zone was cleaned up, the opportunity to have an entire case of deja vu was on the horizon.

That quickly ended because Tweedy was not going to win the wheelie contest.  Instead, the Bone Shaker pointed the skull to the roof to take the opening win of the night.

The next three events all resulted in three-peats.  Snellen again took donuts, the Tiger Shark in long jump, and Bone Shaker once again in racing.  The difference between the previous two shows and the Sunday program, Cody Holman had one-up on the field entering freestyle.  Trying to ensure the Titan Cup was heading to Ohio was a challenge, but one he was up to face.

This time, it did not happen, as Derick Anson roared to life for the final event in the Demo Derby Cadillac, and tore up the floor in every which way possible.

Anson’s victory was of little comfort, as the Bone Shaker would take home the Titan Cup.  That meant in the end, all three Cups from a week ago at all three shows went to the same drivers and trucks.  Two for the V8 Bomber, and one for the Bone Shaker.  If there ever was truth to history repeating itself, this week proved it to be real.

SUNDAY:

Wheelies:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donuts:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Racing Champion:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Freestyle:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

TITAN CUP CHAMPION:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

 The leap year is coming this weekend, and there’s no slowing down for the tour.  At least, not yet.

Another two-day slate is on the horizon as the tour makes a short trip south, and slightly east, to Rockford, Illinois at the BMO Harris Bank Center.  Same field of trucks, same expectations.  Another round of Cups are up for grabs, so get those tickets to see the diecasts come

About The Author

A fan since 1988, at the age of 3, Dustin became more involved in the monster truck industry in the last decade. Through his website, All About Horsepower, and images at Horsepower Photography, he provides great insight into the sport.

[monstersmonthly]

A New Titan Cup Champion Highlights Hot Wheels Weekend

This year it seems many of the major tours have gone from having a “first quarter” schedule to almost actually having a “first third” of the year being part of one tour. That means more shows, and more opportunities for both victory and also breakage.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is entering into their fourth month of action, and began the month of April at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston Salem, North Carolina, on a unique two-show weekend where both shows were early afternoon matinees for the North Carolina faithful. All the usual cast of drivers and trucks, along with the tour’s trusted hosts, were ready to welcome in the crowd for the first performance of the weekend, and each driver had their trucks prepared for the best of action.

Right off the get-go was the wheelie competition, which over the last few shows has been won by a multitude of drivers, but this afternoon was taken by the guy carrying the torch for the title sponsor.

Christian Norman stood the Hot Wheels Racing 1 Raptor on the wheelie bar with both hits, and the entire crowd was eating it up. They felt that ride was the best one of the show to that point, and the victory gave Norman the first lead on the night.

Between the events, a few teams decided to water things down, or at least the tires. The reason, the donut contest was up next, and the floor seemed to be a bit tacky compared to previous shows. So some decided in order to get the smoke to roll, they had to water the tires down to actually break traction and let the rubber spin. That seemed to work, but in the end the effort was for not.

The streak again continues on for Steven Snellen as he is getting closer to the 20-win mark in the donut competition, taking yet another one on the season.

Freestyle motocross entertained the fans long enough for the engines to cool down, because it was time to get the launchers ready to score a win in the long jump contest. Every truck lined up ready to soar, but just like a week ago, Derick Anson was on point with the hit, and his flight, because like a week ago, he soared to another win in the category. Three competitions and three different victors were the story heading towards intermission.

Teams were thrashing a bit to ensure each truck was prepared for the second half of the show, and that allowed Megasaurus to have a bit of a late lunch on a midsize car.

As the bracket went round by round, the cream rose to the top because a pair of previous winners made it to the finals, because Norman and Anson were set to throw down to determine the first major winner on the night. The light went green, and call it an advantage to have a slightly nose-down look, but Norman powered across the cars in the left lane enough to get the truck to the finish line first, claiming his second win of the night, and putting him in prime position for a title.

The floor was then cleared of every pylon and starting point, because it was time to get the freestyle finale going, and every truck was heading out fast, hard, and intense.

Each truck was pushing the envelope, but from the middle of the field, it was Norman’s teammate that made the most noise. Darron Schnell had his Bigfoot machine in prime condition, especially with his wife, Rebecca, turning the wrenches in between competition. It gave him the chance to put on a spectacular run, enough to take home the freestyle title. That win also allowed his teammate to secure his first Titan Cup since February, meaning the Bigfoot organization had a full sweep of the big events in show one.

The Titan Cup came home to Pacific, Missouri, and Norman shared in the victory with every fan that came through the autograph line.

SATURDAY RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1

Donut Contest: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals: Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Titan Cup Champion: Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1

The unique setup for shows allowed a lot of time to prepare the machines for a second performance, and also to test a few new setups to make a better show.

By the time the Sunday Crash Zone opened to fans, each truck was looking excellent in both body lines and chassis setup, so it was clear the final show of the weekend was going to be huge for everyone in attendance. What it ultimately became was a first for a young driver that’s keeping on a family tradition.

Right off the get-go in the wheelie competition, the driver that made the biggest impression had yet to win a show. That was the Bone Shaker hot rod, piloted by Cody Holman, the son of Tiger Shark driver, Bobby. Each hit on the stacks stood the unique machine on the wheelie bar, and the crowd felt the young gun was the best on the afternoon, claiming his first wheelie win in almost one month.

The donut contest was more of the same, both in watering the tires and the finish, as Snellen spun another set of cyclones to keep his streak intact, although he came awfully close to the car stacks and that would have ended his run prematurely.

When the long jump portion of the afternoon approached, Holman again seemed to find the right gear, and the right moment. Holman soared the Bone Shaker far enough to let the front wheels land beyond every other truck, giving him a second win on the night, and already in position to stun the North Carolina crowd.

Still riding high from that win, even after intermission, Holman wanted more, and looked to get as far in racing as he could to make it even more challenging for his competitors. But, he would fall out in the semi-finals, which led to a match-up in the finals between Schnell and Anson.

It was reaction time that was the difference, as Anson fell behind and Schnell took advantage, taking home the racing win on the night and setting up a potential showdown in freestyle, as the Titan Cup was still undecided.

Even that competition was a stunner because it was Snellen who made the V8 Bomber shine. Combined with the usual donuts, he was able to also soar across the van stack and also use every inch of the floor to let the crowd see exactly what the retro Chevrolet could do in a full run. That freestyle was enough to get him the victory in freestyle, but it only tied Holman in the amount of wins on the night. So, a tie-breaker was needed to determine who the Cup was going to.

Because of his ability to go farther in racing, the entire crowd roared when it was Holman that was awarded the trophy, as it was his first of the season, one week after his father earned his first Titan Cup. It took nearly the entire season, but officially every driver on the tour can say they won a Titan Cup, and got to hold that trophy high as they waved to the fans who spent their day seeing toys become reality.

SUNDAY RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donut Contest: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump: Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Racing Finals: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Titan Cup Champion: Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

The final show during the inaugural winter-spring tour for the Hot Wheels Live tour happens next weekend. Charlottesville, Virginia, is the site of the final two shows of the inaugural season, at the John Paul Jones Arena. A Saturday night, and a Sunday afternoon, show will highlight the activities, with each having a Crash Zone to let fans get right next to the real-life trucks that match what they find on the shelves at Target, Walmart, and other retailers.

Visit the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live site to get your info for the show, and get those tickets, to experience the finale of the first winter tour for this series.

[monstersmonthly]

Three Events, Three Champions as Hot Wheels Tour Ends Month Three

The season for the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour has seen so many firsts that it’s hard to list them.  That first show back in January, no one knew what to anticipate, but they got a new feel to an old format.  We saw new bodies on familiar chassis, and some new venues that got headlining shows and new fans getting different experiences than they may have gotten in the past.

When the tour rolled into the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, for a three-show weekend, another first happened.  This first…a body change.

When the Bigfoot team unloaded at the arena, of course Christian Norman carried the bright colors of the Hot Wheels Racing 1 Raptor, but his teammate, Darron Schnell, no longer had the classic racing stripes he’s been running since the beginning of the season.  That body was taken off, not because of damage, but because of something they have been waiting to do.

Back at the shop, their lead painter knew that the truck needed to closely match the die-cast that fans have been purchasing right since they hit the market.  Unfortunately, a 1974 F250 body was not available to use, especially since part of the fiberglass would need reworked to fit over the #19 chassis.  So, they utilized an extra Super Duty body they had in the shop, and with a diecast as the inspiration, the team in Pacific, Missouri, brought out a newer look Bigfoot, with a classic design.

No stripes, just straight-up blue with silver trim, and the infamous cartoon truck that the late Dan Patterson designed many years prior.

The new body was an immediate favorite at the Crash Zone prior to the first show on Friday evening, and Schnell looked to immediately made an impact in the opening wheelie competition.  But, on this night, it was his teammate that launched the namesake truck on both hits of the cars to secure the first win of the night.

When it comes to the second competition, donuts, it was simply too much once again.  The V8 Bomber of Steven Snellen took a set when he began his run, and at that point, it was just close eyes and hold on.  The double-digit record continues for the classic Chevrolet, as it’s become clear the only way Snellen will lose one of these contests will be if he makes a miscue or the truck decides to break.

The long jump competition did surprise a lot of folks in attendance, as it was the lone driver this year to put his truck on its side to win.  Bobby Holman was the first, and currently only, driver to say they landed on the roof, although it’s not something to brag about.  But, he ensured the Tiger Shark launched out of the water with a roar on this night, taking home the title.

Following intermission, a rejuvenated Megasaurus had his dinner, and the fans then settled in for some racing, a critical step on the way to the Titan Cup.

Schnell’s new look seemed to be good luck as he made it to the finals against a familiar foe, the Demo Derby Cadillac of Derick Anson.  Whether it was the new body, a strong reaction time, or possibly a combination of both, Schnell was not to be denied on this night, as he took home the racing victory.

To cap off the night, he was the final truck out for freestyle, and he left a lasting impression on the fans as he would be the one to finish the night as the freestyle champion, claiming yet another Titan Cup on the 2019 season before heading up to the autograph table to meet the fans.

FRIDAY RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Racing Finals:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Titan Cup Champion:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

 The next day meant a pair of shows for fans, and with the weather looking rather pleasant outside for the Virginia faithful, it meant that many could still enjoy the outdoor activities even after the afternoon show came to a conclusion.  Those fans came out in mass as the second Crash Zone was packed full with everyone getting pictures, autographs, and even deciding to show off some signs for the hosts of Hot Wheels Live, Joe Navitsky and Freddie Shepard.

It was all business once the floor got cleared of the red carpets, as this show decided to produce a few firsts for the tour.  It was not exactly clear initially what those firsts would be, but as the show progressed, eyes would open to see what it was.

The wheelie competition didn’t exactly surprise many because it’s been a while since Holman actually won this part of the event.  He did just that, as if he was poking his nose above the water, hoping to claw his way at a piece of bait.  One win in the bank, and it was time to spin some donuts.

Those donuts once again went to Snellen, but then the long jump contest went to Anson.  Three competitions, three different winners.  Things were shaping up to be rather interesting on the night as intermission loomed.

Darron Schnell debuted a brand-new Bigfoot body in Norfolk, one that looks similar in design to the Hot Wheels die-cast.

When it came to racing, Holman surprised everyone as he put the Tiger Shark in the finals up against Norman.  But, Norman’s Firestone tires locked on really quick on the line, and he made it across just ahead of the Shark’s nose.  That made it four different winners on the night, meaning freestyle had even more on the line than anything on the night.

That is when something rather unique occurred.  Despite being in the middle of the lineup, Schnell put on a clinic once again for freestyle, making him 2-for-2 on the weekend in that competition.  But then it created a bit of a situation.  Normally, the amount of wins would determine who was taking home the Titan Cup.  But, for the first time all season, all five competitions were won by different drivers.  So, how to determine the winner?

The answer:  consistency.  Despite only winning wheelies, Holman actually finished runner-up in the other four parts of the show, and that was consistent enough that it gave him the very first Titan Cup for the entire Holman camp all season.  A massive accomplishment for the veteran driver.

SATURDAY MATINEE RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Freestyle:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Titan Cup Champion:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

 There would be little time to recoup as the crews went head-first into repairs for the final show of the weekend as they would do another program on Saturday night.  It also meant there was no Crash Zone to prepare for, simply because trying to get things moved around such as the trucks, equipment, and some new iron for the final show would cause too much chaos.

Still, the fans came out ready for the final show, and got treated to another first on the weekend.

For the first time in a long while, every truck on the tour won at least one competition, as it was Holman’s son, Cody, that stood up the radical Bone Shaker to the roof to take home the wheelie competition.  Six trucks, each with at least one win on the weekend became quite the accomplishment.

After that, things seemed a bit more “normal” if there is such a thing in monster trucks.

The reason things got a bit more normal is because when the night continued after the donut contest, one driver took control.  Anson took the Demo Derby to the top of the heap first by launching farther than any driver in the long jump contest.

After freestyle motocross, intermission, and a third meal for Megasaurus, Anson made his way again to the finals, taking on Schnell once again.  This time, Anson got the better of him for his second win on the night.

Then to make sure the final Titan Cup was coming home to the Bluegrass State, Anson finished the night going last in freestyle, and put forth a run that saw his truck touch every corner of the arena, every car, every van, and leave rubber on the concrete when the lights went red.

Three consecutive event wins allowed Anson to take home yet another title on the season, and he celebrated with the fans in the autograph line as he had a fist bump with every individual that came in front of him.  An excellent way to end yet another phenomenal weekend of action.

SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby, def. Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Freestyle:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

 There’s no time to even relax, because the tour is back in action this Saturday and Sunday, with yet another first on the season.  Yes, it’s a two-show weekend, but for the first time, neither show is during the evening.  It’s a pair of matinees at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Both days have a Crash Zone prior to each event, so fans can get up close to the life size die-casts that put on these performances.  Get those tickets now, and experience Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

[monstersmonthly]

Louisville’s Hometown Driver Sweeps Latest Hot Wheels Weekend

As the calendar drew closer to the beginning of spring, and also with a green celebration on the horizon, the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour decided to get involved as they had been on a rest for a couple weeks.  In a way, it was the tour’s Spring Break, as the six-truck field had an opportunity to head back to team headquarters and do some necessary repairs that had been put off because of the weekly grind.

But, it appeared that everything was intact as the trucks loaded up and made a trip to the heartland of the country.  In fact, they headed to an area that already is rather famous because of one Lionel Sanders.

That name may seem insignificant, however when the term Colonel is added as a suffix, that name becomes recognized by practically everyone across the country.  This man, retired from the military, was looking for a way to make extra money, and all he had was a fried chicken recipe.  One restaurant took a chance, and accepted his offer of paying him five cents for each piece of chicken sold.

At that moment, Kentucky Fried Chicken was created.  And over the weekend, the Hot Wheels Tour made the trip to Louisville, Kentucky, and the KFC Yum! Center for a pair of shows to welcome in the fans prior to the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

The early show welcomed a large crowd to the Crash Zone, and it seemed the hosts Ken Navitsky and Freddie Sheppard were extremely into getting the fans ready for the excitement that was to come.  It was clear as the arena was packed full from corner to corner.

It all started with some fresh cars, and some wheelie hits to get everyone going.  Every truck decided to sky to the ceiling, but it was an aquatic cat that got things going in the win column.  Bobby Holman decided to put the Tiger Shark at the top of the heap, his first win in a few weeks, and put the rest of the field on notice that he was out to make a statement.

That statement had to go on hold, because when it came to the donut contest, once again, no one was stopping Steven Snellen.  The V8 Bomber was not denied once again as his truck found the groove, and spun right into a perfect cyclone, adding a 13th consecutive donut win to the resume.

Following a bit of a showing of freestyle motocross, it was time for the long jump contest, and at that moment, the hometown boy decided to put on a show.

Just like Snellen, Derick Anson was riding a streak of long jump victories, and the fact he called Louisville his home added more incentive to win.  He was not denied as he made it a baker’s dozen of victories, making it all even on the night heading into intermission.

Unfortunately for one team, the racing part of the night caused some issues, and it meant that a lot of work was needing in between shows.  Holman’s son, Cody, lost the transmission in the Bone Shaker, and it meant he was out for the remainder of the afternoon.  Luckily, the team was prepared and had the spare components in the hauler.  All the while, the competition worked through the bracket and it was Anson again in the finals, this time taking on the Bigfoot Racing Raptor of Darron Schnell.

Home cooking proved to be the best taste of all, because Anson launched the Demo Derby Cadillac across the line to victory, almost ensuring he was taking home the Titan Cup.

He did not, however, make it a sweep of the big events, because when it came to freestyle, Schnell was not being denied.  His truck may be carrying the classic racing stripes, but when it came to showing what the #19 chassis can do when it came time to stretch it’s legs, this night belonged to him, as he would take the freestyle victory to close out the afternoon.  It was not enough, sadly, to steal the Titan Cup away from Anson, as he would show off the big trophy to his Kentucky faithful in the post-show autograph line.

SATURDAY MATINEE RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby, def. Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Freestyle:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Titan Cup Champion:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Prior to the afternoon show, the KFC Yum! Center staff got an extra special treat, exclusive for them.  Rolling in with a separate hauler, the Bigfoot team unloaded the beginning of the industry.  Off went the 48-inch tires, and on went a set of 66×43 Firestones, giving it an iconic look that truly began what is now a 44-year run of being the leader.  Bigfoot #1 was in the house, exclusive for the staff.

That doesn’t mean the fans weren’t without a legacy to meet and greet, because during the Crash Zone at the earlier show, Mr. Bob Chandler himself was meeting the fans.  It was a moment that had not been seen all season, but one that the Louisville faithful were extremely happy to be a part of.

Now in between shows, the Foot team was helping get Team Beast ready to go as they continued to work on the Tiger Shark long after the first event came to an end.

Mission accomplished, because all six trucks were fresh and ready to rock for the evening performance.

Once again, the wheelie contest started things off, and although the Shark was pulling out a spectacular performance, the title sponsor was the one at the top on this evening.  Christian Norman in the other Raptor, Hot Wheels Racing 1, soared across the cars in both directions with the nose pointed towards the roof.  Win one in the books for the Bigfoot group, as Norman celebrated with his brother, Phillip, and Schnell.

The donut contest that followed was excellent for one team, but also unfortunate for another.  As has become common, Snellen spun into a spin cycle just like a Whirlpool dryer.  Fourteen straight competitions as the winner, that streak is intact.

But, once again, a Team Beast machine went down.

Bobby had the Tiger Shark going strong in donuts, but suddenly lost power.  The truck got towed to the pit.  What was thought to be a second transmission failure turned out to be a lot different.  It turned out to be the problem wasn’t the transmission itself, but the transfer case.  A bearing exploded causing all the drive to come to a halt in both the front and rear wheels.  Of all the things to break, this piece was not one that could be fixed during the show, and that meant the Shark was released from competition for the remainder of the night.

Meanwhile, Anson decided to roar to life once again as he extended the long jump streak to 14, matching his teammate heading into intermission.

That intermission became an extended break as another first took place during the other side act.  During his performance, the Megasaurus transformer was enjoying his average snack, a mid-size import car.  But, suddenly it appeared the big beast broke it’s neck, during it’s dinner.  So, rather than choke on the car, and risk the heavy pieces breaking off and causing even more damage, the tracked transformer went into the pits, car in jaw, and rested for the night.  It would be post-show when the crew would be able to do some work.

With two competitions remaining, it was clear that that the Kentucky boy was in control, and trying to wrestle it away was going to be the ultimate challenge.

The challenge was accepted, but in the end, that challenge was too much.

Anson again proved his quickness on the light, taking his second win in racing of the weekend over Schnell, and just to put a major stamp on the successful home show for this Kentucky boy, he would throw down his best freestyle in front of fans, family, and the entire Hot Wheels staff.  Without a doubt, the Titan Cup was staying with Anson, and even Colonel Sanders would be proud to present him with a huge bucket of chicken.  There would be no original recipe for this occasion, because he burned down the show to the point where only extra crispy would do.

SATURDAY EVENING RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby, def. Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Freestyle:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

 The tour gets one week off before returning to action to close out the month of March, as on March 29 and 30, the Hot Wheels monsters will travel to Norfolk, Virginia, at the Scope Arena for three events.

The Crash Zone will take place prior to the evening performance on March 29, plus the afternoon performance the next day.  Get those tickets and pack the stands as the winter tour is close to conclusion, and that means fewer chances to see the $4 toys turn into six-figure behemoths.

[monstersmonthly]

February Familiarity: Schnell and Anson Overall Winners in Hot Wheels Tour

From the first opening weekend to the middle of February, the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live inaugural campaign has been all about bringing the tiny die-casts available in store an online to life. For a small $4 purchase, a kid’s day is made. But then, to see that small truck that is made of plastic, metal and rubber suddenly be made of steel, fiberglass, and have the power of 1500 horses, makes that purchase seem worth more.

But every show, every weekend, of the six trucks that rolled tires onto the concrete floor, two have been the ones to watch.

Darron Schnell has carried the banner for the original monster truck, Bigfoot, every weekend and has done so with authority, running the racing stripes that brought Bigfoot it’s first ever championship back in 1990. His closest competitor, a familiar running mate, Derick Anson.

The Demo Derby Cadillac made a big statement in the first week of action, and seven weeks later was still doing so. Both were ready to rock and roll, and a trip to the Albany Civic Center in Albany, Georgia, would play host to the eighth consecutive week of action. But, luckily for the teams, the lone two shows would occur on one day of competition.

An early Crash Zone welcomed in an enormous crowd that got up close to the big trucks, but then once the floor was cleared, and helmets strapped on, it was time to get to business.

Up first, just like every week, was the wheelie competition, and this show was highlighted by a driver who needed to replace the nose of his truck after a previous rollover. Bobby Holman brought out the Tiger Shark, all repaired and looking sleek, and stood the orange, black and white machine to the roof on both hits on the red stack of cars. Being first out had it’s advantages, and it was enough that the crowd would give him the victory to start out the afternoon.

But, when it came to doing donuts, another streak was on the line. Steven Snellen had accomplished a 10-event streak of victories in the competition, as he’s gotten so comfortable at the wheel of the V8 Bomber that he may not want to give up the seat after the season concludes.

However, that was not on his mind as he whipped the classic Chevrolet into a cyclone that lit up the floor with smoke. It was ten, but now the streak went to 11 events after the fans overwhelmingly approved his winning run.

Freestyle motocross put on a bit of entertainment to let every truck cool off after such a wild performance, but then Anson was ready to extend his own streak, that being one in the long jump competition.

Demo Derby fans were overjoyed when the same streak that started two weeks ago got extended yet another show, as Anson soared the graffiti Cadillac across the car stack farther than any driver, and took home another win on the season. For yet another show, three events…three winners, so the intermission break certainly made for a great time to regroup and work on equipment before racing began.

That portion of the show came down to a teammate battle.

Schnell again made his way into the finals with the Bigfoot Raptor, while on the opposing lane was teammate Christian Norman in the Hot Wheels Racing 1 Raptor. Both have been extremely tough to beat on the lights all season, but Norman has achieved a few more wins than his fellow Foot wheelman.

That proved to be the case during the afternoon show as Norman made his way across the line first, taking home yet another victory on the season.

Four events with a different winner in each once again meant the freestyle portion of the show would determine the Titan Cup champion. Track crews came out and reset the pyramid in the center of the arena, and at this moment, it was time to turn things loose, and let the six teams show off for the crowd in attendance.

The final truck out, the original machine, put on a clinic that not one driver could match. Schnell would not be denied, as he swept the biggest parts of the show to ensure the Titan Cup was coming back to Pacific, Missouri. Show one officially in the books.

SATURDAY MATINEE RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Donut Contest: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot, def. Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1

Freestyle: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Titan Cup Champion: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

No Crash Zone was coming in between events, simply because of the fact too little time would elapse to get the trucks set up for the displays and also try to move in all new car stacks for the second show. So, crews pulled the trucks into the pit area to go over all the moving parts of the truck were in working order, and also decided to clean up the looks a bit by giving the bodies a bit of a once-over cleaning.

By the time doors opened for the evening show, things calmed back down and were ready to get going for the second of two shows on the day.

The wheelie contest again started the night, and for those that had even attended the early show, they were in store for a bit of a repeat. Once again, the Tiger Shark decided to poke its nose above the water, or in this case the metal, on both hits to once again take home the victory to start the night.

Fans then got to see another pair of streaks get extended in between the freestyle motocross performances as once again, Snellen spun his way to a donut contest victory, then Anson soared his way to another long jump win. Each of those streaks now hit 12 consecutive events, and appears to not be slowing down for anyone.

Following intermission, the enormous Megasaurus had an evening meal of a sub-compact, and seemed to enjoy the meal enough to where the big beast let out a belch. But, the scraps needed cleared out in order to make the racing lanes fair for all.

As much as Schnell wanted to make it 2-for-2 on the day, instead his teammate went to the finals, and he then had the opportunity to take down Anson for the first big championship of the second show.

He was quick on the lights, and put the title sponsor in victory lane, as Norman launched to the finish line and took yet another victory on the season for the main team. Another event with four different winners leading into freestyle, something that has become a common theme since the introduction of the long jump competition a few weeks into the season. This certainly made it important for freestyle once again.

Track crews got things set up, and all safety officials had their radios at the ready, as it was time to officially crown the final champion of the night, and the overall champion for the show.

Nothing on this night was keeping Anson from another Cup, as he floored the slick tires onto the concrete and would not yield. He hit every stack from every direction, made sure every fan got a good look at the truck by making sure the entire floor was covered. Anson had everything fall his way, and when hosts Ken Navitsky and Freddie Shepard hit the floor, they not only declared him the freestyle winner, but handed over the Titan Cup. The big dogs on the tour once again dominated, and the rest of the field still is playing catch up just so they can also have their name etched on that trophy.

SATURDAY EVENING RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Donut Contest: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals: Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

In life, and in competition, everyone deserves to have a break fall their way. Not so much in the name of breaking the truck, but rather a break to actually breathe.

After eight straight weeks of action, every team and every driver now gets a chance to head back home, and take some time off. In fact, the series is getting a deserving two weeks off from action before making a trip back to the heartland of the country. This will give teams a chance to get back to their home shops, and go through the equipment for a bit to repair any damage that may not have been seen during the weekly grind to start the year.

Up next on the year is a St. Patrick’s Day weekend pair of events in Louisville, Kentucky, at an arena that is named probably after the state’s most iconic individual.

Although he’s currently protrayed as “RoboCop,” there’s no doubt that Colonel Sanders is well represented at the KFC Yum! Center.

Another two-show weekend in the course of just one day will welcome fans, with a Crash Zone prior to the matinee performance. Bring the toys, and see how much they match up to their life-size counterparts. Tickets are available, so buy now.

[monstersmonthly]

Bigfoot and Demo Derby Battle to a Draw in Hot Wheels Week 8

For the last pair of weekends, the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live schedule has been one of the more grueling weekends for every team in competition.  It’s well known in the monster truck world that having four shows over the course of three days is tough on equipment, because there’s not much time to repair parts if something does go awry during an event.

Every team deserves a break, both because they need it, and also having fewer shows means that fans will come out in bigger numbers across the board for the action in the arena.

This past weekend, the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, hosted a weekend of intense action for the Hot Wheels machines, but it would ultimately be an easier weekend for teams, because it was just a two-show event over the course of one day.  Sure, it meant fewer times behind the wheel, but it also raised the intensity up among the six drivers.  To no one’s surprise, the Saturday afternoon Crash Zone brought out a vast array of fans, as hosts Freddie Sheppard and Ken Navitsky kept the entertainment high and the crowd engaged.

After putting away all the displays and allowing the crowd to get into their seats, the afternoon festivities were set to get rolling.  Fans were ready for the trucks to come to life, and just like always, the start of the action began with wheelies.

This week’s opening victory went to a young man who’s finally found his groove at the wheel on the tour, Cody Holman.  The Bone Shaker was soaring to the sky on the afternoon, as he took the opening round competition.

Navitsky and Sheppard kept the crowd going as the beasts cooled off, but then it was time to begin a smoke show.  The donut contest was next, and every truck was trying so hard to figure out a way to beat out the V8 Bomber, as Steven Snellen was the winner of the last eight competitions.  On this afternoon…things remained the same.

Snellen smoked the tires like he has the last two weeks to record his ninth consecutive donut contest victory, and it’s clear he is not looking to let up at all as the year continues.

Freestyle motocross gave everyone a nice break to let things settle back down, and when the engines fired yet again, it was all about distance as it was time to go after a long jump title.

This time, just like the last two weekends, it was the Demo Derby Cadillac of Derick Anson making the leap across the cars and landing well beyond the rest of the field, taking home what is now his ninth consecutive victory in the competition.  The graffiti-colored SUV is certainly soaring to new heights with every opportunity.

Fans and teams got a chance to really take a break during intermission, and in doing so allowed drivers to get even more focused and get their reflexes reacting as quick as possible.

Racing got started after the beast Megasaurus had his lunch on an old subcompact car, and when it came down to the finals, Anson made it in, but he was joined by probably the best racer on the tour this year, Christian Norman in the Hot Wheels Racing 1 Raptor.

Both launched on the line with authority, but Norman seemed to keep the nose down just enough to stretch to the line first, giving him yet another racing win on the season to his very large tally.

Then, the floor was cleared, one of the cars got moved beside the light blue van in the center of the arena, and the safety crew was put on standby.  The final part of the night was ready to rock, and freestyle was the competition that would officially determine the winner of the afternoon’s Titan Cup.

Every driver took to the course extremely hard, hammering with speed and authority, getting the crowd roaring with what seemed every motion.

This afternoon, it was Anson that put on a clinic against the rest of the lineup to take home yet another freestyle crown, and take another Titan Cup back to Kentucky to share with the team.

SATURDAY MATINEE RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

 With just about four hours between the conclusion of the afternoon event to the start of the second, teams had to do a lot of reworking to make changes for the second show.  Luckily, unlike last weekend, no teams needed major repairs before needing to compete once again.  Most of the work was done with the crews themselves getting hands on, as the drivers continued to sign autographs prior to the doors opening up for the evening show.

The track crew was busy as well, as they needed to maneuver some fresh iron into position for the second performance.  But, by the time the gates opened for round two on the day, the only indication that a prior show ever occurred was the rubber marks on the floor.

But, another crowd was ready to witness the $3.88 toys available at Target and Walmart come full size and hit the track.

The wheelie contest did see a bit of a difference in winner, as after being shut out of the early show, Darron Schnell skied the Bigfoot Raptor to the top of the arena on each of his hits on the fresh car stacks.  It certainly gave the team from Pacific, Missouri, a boost in morale as they had only a few wins between Schnell and Norman over the last several weeks outside of the racing bracket.

But, the next two events were mirror images of the afternoon, as both Snellen and Anson won their tenth consecutive donut and long jump contests, respectively, to keep a streak alive.

In between, the freestyle motocross and another dinner break for Megasaurus got the crowd really hyped up for when racing came around.  It ultimately came down to the heavyweight battle between Foot and Demo Derby, just as so many prior showdowns in weeks past.  This time, Schnell got the better of the Cadillac, reacting quickly to the green light and powered to the racing win on the evening.

Two wins on the night meant Schnell was leading the Titan Cup standings, and it would take a strong performance in freestyle to dethrone him.

Anson was up to the challenge, and after a performance that included a couple donuts, some fast hits on all the stacks and the van, and a couple moments where he got almost over, he was declared the winner of freestyle on this night.  However, even with that win, his runner-up finish was the deciding factor.  That meant Schnell because of his racing victory was the official Titan Cup champion of the second show.

Quite the way to end the weekend in the home town of Elvis Presley.

SATURDAY EVENING RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

 Another two-show weekend awaits the Hot Wheels tour next weekend, but this one is a trip south to the state that just recently played host to Super Bowl XLIII.

The Peach State is awaiting a pair of shows on February 23 in Albany, Georgia, inside the Albany Civic Center.  Tickets are available for both shows, with the 1:30 p.m. performance having a Crash Zone party prior to show time.

Get your seats now to see the Hot Wheels on the shelf become life-size beasts.

[monstersmonthly]

V8 Bomber Spoils the Bigfoot Homecoming on the Hot Wheels Tour

The great song by Jon Bon Jovi that said, “Who says you can’t go home?”  Heading home is a sense of belonging, security, comfort and enjoyment.  That is something that can happen in sports every single week.  College teams love playing in front of their home crowd because of the atmosphere they bring.  NFL, hockey, even high school sports have the same feeling.

Racing is no different, as a driver always wants to win in front of their home fans, almost making it feel more gratifying to know this is their turf, and they own it.

Monster trucks are no different, especially when a new tour comes into town.  Making that first impression is enormous, and for the Bigfoot team, that opportunity came over the weekend at the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was the city, and the Show Me Center was the venue.  For both Darron Schnell in Bigfoot and Christian Norman in Hot Wheels Racing 1, which is run on the Bigfoot 18 chassis, this was their house, and it was time to protect it.  In this case, they had more chances to do so, as this was the first week of the season that saw four total shows to thrill the fans.

But, that defending of the house did not get started right away, as Friday night’s wheelie contest was taken by the lone driver yet to earn a win on the season, Cody Holman in the Bone Shaker.  Right after, Steven Snellen decided to make the tires scream on the V8 Bomber to take home the donut contest.  Derick Anson then soared the Demo Derby Cadillac to victory in the long jump contest.

Three competitions, and the home state trucks were shut out.  In order to even get an opportunity at the Titan Cup, one of the two needed to make it a winning night in racing.

As luck would have it, not only did one truck make it to the finals, but both did.  It literally was the best possible case for the team based out of Pacific, Missouri, and in this instance, the white Raptor for Norman made it across the line first, beating out Schnell for victory.  Four different competitions meant freestyle literally was the deciding factor on the night.  Yet, in the end, even that complicated matters.

The reason:  it was Schnell, the next-to-last truck out, that put on a clinic on the floor, hammering every obstacle and even putting down a smoke show with a couple donuts.

He ultimately was declared the freestyle champion, but with five different winners, who exactly was taking home the Titan Cup?

Per rules that were used during the opening weekend, by virtue of his runner-up finish in racing, Schnell had earned the right to take home the first Titan Cup of the weekend, and take the first home-state win for the Missouri based team.

FRIDAY RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Freestyle:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Titan Cup Champion:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

 A night to get everything buttoned down seemed to be an advantage for everyone, especially since these concrete shows are hard on the trucks.  With four shows over the weekend, an afternoon matinee is often hard to tell if everyone will go too hard, too early, or if they will save the trucks for the finale.

One guy not waiting around to show what he can do was Schnell, as he entered Saturday afternoon wanting to defend his Titan Cup from the previous night.  He did just that with the opening wheelie competition victory.

After that, however, a classic Chevrolet was coming front and center.

A week ago, Snellen finally took hold of his first Titan Cup, but one of them was certainly not enough.  So, in order to secure another big trophy for the hauler, he decided to let loose and let the V8 Bomber make an impact.

He did that right away, scoring his second straight donut contest, smoking the Ukraine tires as if they were in use at a barbecue establishment in Kansas City.  He then followed that up with a long jump victory, beating out his teammate in the process.

Darron Schnell made the home-state crowd smile with a few wheelie contest wins, and the opening Titan Cup triumph.

After a bit of freestyle motocross and some interaction with the fans, which included some of the drivers dancing on their tires to the music being played, the racing portion of the night got under way.

When it settled, the familiar face from the previous night decided to make it a double, as the bright white Hot Wheels Racing 1 machine of Norman stood tall for show two.

But nothing was keeping Snellen from his quest.  He was in the middle of the field for the final freestyle portion of the show, and as often as he’s driven this chassis, he’s become quite comfortable behind the wheel.  Every hit was perfect, and every slide, cyclone, and wheelie was excellent.  He took home a third win on the night, and that meant two different drivers now earned a Titan Cup on the weekend.

SATURDAY MATINEE RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Racing Finals:  Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Titan Cup Champion:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

 Prior to the second show of the day, the track crew had a lot of work needing done.  A lot of fresh metal needed brought in for the evening performance.  And this time, rather than just stick with the traditional red and yellow, a bit more color was brought into the arena.  The van stack got a pop of color thanks to a North Carolina blue box van that got sandwiched in the center.

The change didn’t mean much for the teams, as they were busy going back over the trucks to ensure all the bolts were tightened back down, and the fuel cells were loaded back up for the night’s performance.

A second show in one day did mean there was no Crash Zone ahead of the performance, which maybe in a sense was a sad thing for the fans that came back out for the six-truck field.  But, they were still ready to witness the toy trucks go big on the night.

Fans that may have attended the Friday performance were getting a case of the repeats, because the first two competitions saw the exact same winners.

Holman put the Bone Shaker on the wheelie bar to take the opening contest of the night, and then Snellen decided to do a hat trick in donuts.  Then, seeming to keep with the theme, Anson then put on another rocket performance in the Demo Derby Cadillac to take home the long jump contest.

Three competitions, and the same winners from Friday night were on a roll.  It then continued, although with a slightly different final.

Norman all season has been quick on the starting lights, and on this night he was just that once again as he was yet again the racing champion.  With four aspects in, something had to give, especially since the Titan Cup was up in the air once again.  It was coming back down to freestyle, but this time the trend of repeats came to an end.  Well, repeats from Friday that is.

After seeing his teammate take the victory earlier in the day, Anson decided to fuel his own desire to victory and let the graffiti coated machine do the talking.  He seemed to be enjoying showing off the new body for the tour, as he would take home the freestyle victory, and combined with the long jump, he would take home his first Titan Cup of the weekend.  Through three shows, three different teams were overall winners.  Now, with only one show remaining, it meant everything was on the line.

That final win was the one worth bragging over, because that Titan Cup champion could say they are champion for six days instead of only a few hours.

SATURDAY EVENING RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Cody Holman, Bone Shaker

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Freestyle:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

 Normally, the weekend would end at the point of Saturday’s two show run, and teams were loading up to head home.  Not this time.  The most challenging weekend to date was adding in one final show for the Missouri faithful, an afternoon delight on Sunday.

This meant a third Crash Zone, and the go-home show as it is called would mean there was no limit as to what could happen.

What did happen was a few repeats, and a couple amazing feats.

Just like the previous afternoon, Schnell skied the racing stripes Raptor to the roof to earn his second wheelie victory on the weekend.  But then, a first on the entire tour.  One entire competition was possibly going to see a grand slam champion, and on this day…it became real.  Snellen smoked the tires to the point where the rubber was left on the concrete.  It meant another donut contest win, but it also in turn meant the first four-show sweep of a competition on the season.

Anson cheered on his teammate from the pits, but then came right out in the long jump contest to prove that he too was able to be victorious.

Then, of all things that could happen, another sweep took place.

Norman pushed the Hot Wheels Racing 1 Raptor up to the finals for the fourth straight time in racing, and pushed so hard he crossed the line triumphant once again.  Four shows, four racing victories, and in this case, four different winners in competition.  The Titan Cup was still in reach for everyone, depending on how hard they pushed freestyle.

Stellen decided to give the retro Chevrolet one final rush before landing on the tarmac, since his truck was painted like a wild old-school plane.

That run across the floor was plenty to give him another win on the night, and also capture his second overall Titan Cup on the weekend.  An awesome accomplishment to send the fans home with smiles on their faces, and joy in their hearts.

SUNDAY RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition:  Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Donut Contest:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump:  Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals:  Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Titan Cup Champion:  Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

 Another trip north next weekend will bring the Hot Wheels Live tour to a bit of a chilly area, as the tour heads to Bloomington, Illinois, and the Grossinger Motors Arena.

Just like last weekend, it’s a four-show slate with three Crash Zones slated for Friday, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday.  Get your tickets now, because everyone seems to be enjoying the $4 toys that are found in Walmart, Target and many other retailers become six-figure, life size replicas.

[monstersmonthly]

Titan Cup Sees a New Victor at Stop Four of Hot Wheels Tour

As a bitter cold wind began engulfing the northern tier of the United States, many were looking for a way to warm up. For those in Illinois, an area that is used to having a cold experience outside at Soldier Field, many decided to descend on a familiar venue for a little monster truck action.

However, this time, it was a familiar venue, but the newest tour, deciding to make a stop on the “sticky slick” floor of the Sears Centre Arena at Hoffman Estates.

The term “sticky slick” is a good way to call the floor, especially for those that have competed in the building before. A couple of the drivers that are part of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live season have been here as part of the Monster Truck Nationals. The reason: the floor is a bit tricky to get a handle on. Some spots the trucks will slide like a sprint car riding the cushion, but at others the tires will grip really quick, like a dragster launching off the line. The latter is often seen on the later shows, after some rubber is laid down on the surface.

So some of the drivers came in not sure what to expect when the show began, especially with things starting on a Saturday afternoon that saw the stands packed with fans wanting a taste of toys becoming real.

What they got to start things off was a new winner on the circuit.

All season long, the Holman group that pilots the Bone Shaker and Tiger Shark had been shut out of competition. Bobby Holman finally found a building that he was familiar with, and knew he could make a statement to the Chicago faithful. He did just that when he soared the Tiger Shark to the ceiling both times on the cars, and the fans decided it was a strong enough performance to give him the team’s first official victory on the season.

After a cool down period where the fans got to become part of the show thanks to some interaction from the hosts, that sticky yet slick floor was about ready to get a taste of rubber. The donut contest was ready for action, and another familiar face that has seen this venue decided to roar to life.

The original monster laid down a smoke show worthy of a victory, and Darron Schnell settled down his retro-looking Bigfoot Raptor in order gain his first win on the night.

One week prior, the Hot Wheels Tour officially added the long jump competition to their show, hoping to break a possible tie at the end of the night. It has proven beneficial, but the first show of the weekend also meant a third different winner. Derick Anson fired off the Demo Derby Cadillac to the sky, and launched it hard across the floor. His distance was better than any of the other participants, and he then took his first victory on the weekend.

Intermission allowed the teams to make adjustments, and also entertain the fans with some freestyle motocross. But when it came to racing, each team was locked in.

But, once again, a new face wound up victorious, although familiar with winning this season. Wearing his new firesuit, Christian Norman worked his way through the field to take home the racing victory in the Hot Wheels Racing 1 Raptor, much to the delight of many of the Foot fans in attendance. Four competitions, four different winners. At that moment, barring a fifth truck and driver winning the final competition, whomever secured the freestyle on the afternoon was taking home the Titan Cup.

Someone took that to heart because Schnell was ready to achieve the big trophy. He would power his way across the rather large floor at Hoffman Estates, hammering the car sets and the van stack in the center of the floor. Nothing was coming between he and an event title on this afternoon, as he would capture the freestyle title, and then held up the big title for all the fans to see.

SATURDAY MATINEE RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Donut Competition: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Long Jump: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Racing Finals: Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1, def. Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Freestyle: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Titan Cup Champion: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

The four-hour gap between the end of the first show on Saturday and the second show allowed the drivers to interact with their fans in the autograph line, while their crews went to work tightening up the bolts that may have worked loose. It also gave the concrete crew a chance to move out the crushed metal and move in some new pieces so that the second audience gets the same expectation as the first.

It meant there was no Crash Zone for the fans to attend, but that didn’t seem to detour anyone from making their way into the stands for the second helping of the weekend.

After seeing Norman follow up his racing win from earlier in the day with the opening wheelie victory, it was then time for another new face to achieve victory. But, in doing so on this night was not just about winning one competition. Instead, it was a quest for a Cup.

Steven Snellen had figured out the setup on the V8 Bomber over the first three weeks, and it was becoming clear he was not taking things lightly in the evening show. The four-week old EcoWork tires were lit up when the donut contest commenced, enough to give the classic looking Chevrolet the first win of the night, and of the weekend. Snellen then figured out how to get the airplane-painted machine to literally fly, as he went on and won the long jump contest as well.

Another pair of teammates took home Titan Cups in Illinois. Anson is used to the trophy, but his teammate finally got his.

Another pair of teammates took home Titan Cups in Illinois. Anson is used to the trophy, but his teammate finally got his. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Bimmerle

Although falling short of a racing win, which was taken by the afternoon Titan Cup champion, Schnell, somehow Snellen had a whole new attitude on this night.

He already had the Titan Cup lead for the night, but needed a way to ensure he was going home with his first big trophy. When it came time to freestyle, the silver and green machine was roaring, and the V8 Bomber decided to drop an explosion, although not literally, on the competition. The freestyle triumph on the night was the cherry on top of a spectacular night for Snellen, as he took home his first Titan Cup of the season to the delight of many fans, and even his fellow drivers. Quite the night for the pilot of the Bomber.

SATURDAY EVENING RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Christian Norman, Hot Wheels Racing 1

Donut Competition: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Racing Finals: Darron Schnell, Bigfoot, def. Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Freestyle: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Titan Cup Champion: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

A good night of rest and a night of very little breakage meant that when the final show of the weekend came about, each team had the green light to let loose. With no shows until the following weekend, why not go full-tilt and roar for another great crowd.

Holman took that to heart because after being shut out on the evening show, he stepped up big on the lone Sunday performance, taking home his second wheelie contest of the weekend.

Snellen then decided he wasn’t done yet, and one Titan Cup wasn’t enough.

Just like the previous evening, the V8 Bomber was performing flawlessly, and Snellen once again took home both the donut contest and the long jump. He was on his way to making it an easy ride to the championship, but it appeared his teammate wanted in on the action.

Anson had been shut out since Saturday afternoon, and he was tired of seeing his teammate take home wins, although he was happy to see the second truck in his fleet victorious.

He pushed the Demo Derby machine to a racing win on the afternoon, which then made it more of a challenge for Snellen to officially win the Titan Cup. At the same time, any other driver still had potential to steal it away with a freestyle victory. That could make it a challenge since if Anson or Holman took home that win, a tie-breaker would be needed.

Sure enough, Anson was the guy putting on a clinic on the sticky slick floor to close out the weekend, as he was hitting the stacks so hard even the paint on the tires decided it had enough and smeared across the rubber as if it was a Darlington Stripe.

But, with Anson winning freestyle, it was a matter of the tie-breaker to determine who among the teammates was the Titan Cup champion. Thanks to his racing win, Anson was given the crown as Snellen was eliminated in the semi-finals. Three events, three Titan Cup champions, and three shows with some very satisfied fans.

SUNDAY RESULTS:

Wheelie Competition: Bobby Holman, Tiger Shark

Donut Competiton: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Long Jump: Steven Snellen, V8 Bomber

Racing Finals: Derick Anson, Demo Derby, def. Darron Schnell, Bigfoot

Freestyle: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Titan Cup Champion: Derick Anson, Demo Derby

Next weekend is another first for the Hot Wheels Tour. The next stop is familiar for the Bigfoot camp, as it’s a trip to their home state of Missouri. Cape Girardeau will play host to the tour at the Show Me Center.

What makes this weekend a first is the fact it will be the longest of every stop.

It’s not a three show weekend…it’s a FOUR show weekend. One show on Friday night, Feb. 1, then a pair of shows on Saturday after Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction. Finally, prior to seeing the Patriots and the Rams hit the gridiron to decide the winner of the Lombardi Trophy, an afternoon delight will be ready for the fans.

A Crash Zone will happen prior to Friday, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday, so get those tickets to see the toy trucks come to life.