As a descendant of the truck that started the Monster Truck craze, this Ford Bigfoot stands it up going over the tire pit. Wheelies and burnouts completed each exhibition of these monsters.
If you're into trucks, the Truckin' & 4x4 Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix is the place to be. Held in October, this event offers so much variety that no one goes away disappointed. You can cruise the midway and visit the vendor booths, see the latest information on accessories and enhancements for trucks, and win prizes. Or check out the Show and Shine, where owners display their trucks and talk about the modifications they've made to them. It's a great way to get ideas for your own rig. Go visit the pit area-kids just love to walk through the pits to see the Tough Trucks and Monster Trucks up close.
Are fast trucks your thing? Then check out the drags to see trucks race side by side down the quarter-mile strip. Hold off on the beer for a while and take part in the Test Drive Experience. It's one thing to testdrive a truck or SUV on the street, but here was a chance to drive several in an off-road setting for free. Wanna drive an H2? A Wrangler? Once registered, drivers could test one after another. A short test course with potholes, big ditches, and off-camber turns helped give testers a better idea of the operation and capability of the vehicle. There was also a road course for those wanting to test out the street machines.
A running start is the key to getting through the tire pit quickly during the Tough Truck competition, and jumping over the log pile to clear them is risky, but effective.
Make sure to hit the grandstands early to catch the Tough Truck competition and to get good seats for the Monster Truck show. Bring your binoculars to get close views of the action as trucks run the race course, tackle the rock pile, charge through the tire pit, and blast over the log pile. Keep your seat for the Monster Truck competition lest you find yourself standing at the fence looking between the heads of people up front. As rock music booms, truck engines roar, and fans cheer, the Monster Trucks wheelie, jump, and spin, each trying to outperform the other. Wheels fly and trucks roll as the drivers push these rigs to the limits of their abilities. The day ends with the Miss Truckin' Nationals bikini contest and an opportunity to have your picture taken with the contestants, if the wife allows. Thanks again to sponsors GM and Toyo Tires for all the fun.
Little kids love big trucks, and the Monsters were a big hit with the crowd. Drivers were on hand to sign autographs in the Monster Truck pits before the competition, to the delight of the kids. Unnamed & Untamed shows how to get airborne off the log pile after doing a wheelie for the fans. | 
Big enough for ya? These medium-duty commercial trucks are gaining in popularity to build as 4x4s, as a GVWR under 26,001 does not require a commerical driver's license. The International CTX is another favorite for conversions. | 
In the Tough Truck competition the object is to get it done fast without getting stuck or rolling-that's the goal of the rock pile. Negotiating the boulders at warp speed takes more luck than skill, but the crowd loved it. |