Thursday, January 3, 2008

Facts of Destruction

TindelMichi Monster Sized Numbers

Trucks: Usually 11 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, a monster truck must weigh a minimum of 9,000 pounds, with some monster trucks weighing as much as 12,000 pounds. The less the body weighs, the more strength and weight can be put into the frame and engine without sacrificing speed and maneuverability. Average cost: $150,000.

Engines: Custom-built, supercharged and methanol-injected, a monster truck engine burns up to 2.5 gallons of methanol per run (approximately 250 feet). The size of the motor is limited to 575 cubic feet, according to United States Hot Rod Association (USHRA) regulations. The average monster truck team will go through five engines in one year. Average cost per engine: $35,000.

Body: Made of fiberglass, a monster truck body is custom designed. A fiberglass company generally owns the mold to the design. Average initial cost: $50,000. Average cost of remakes: $3,000.

Tires: Manufactured by Goodyear and Firestone, monster truck tires must be 66 inches high and 43 inches wide. The average monster truck team will go through eight tires in one year. Tires are customized and hand cut to accommodate track conditions. Cutting one tire takes approximately 50 hours. Average cost: $2,600 each.

Shocks: Most monster trucks run with nitrogen gas shocks. Some trucks run with one shock per tire, while others run with as many as two per tire. The complete shock package includes a coil-over-shock kit and spring. Average cost: $1,250 each.

Paint: A monster truck must be painted to cover the rough fiberglass body. Airbrushing logos and specialized artwork add to the cost. Average cost: $3,500.

Race Team Budget: A monster truck team incurs a number of expenses throughout the year from repairs and maintenance on a monster truck and the hauler to fuel, racing uniforms, lodging and food. Average cost per year: $250,000.

Crushed Cars: Steel body full-size cars are the vehicles typically crushed during a monster truck event. Cars, as well as vans, buses, motor homes, airplanes and ambulances, are attained from local junkyards and returned after each event. Average number of cars crushed per year: 3,000.


TindelMichi : Priceless