TheMonsterBlogger

The Allen Report: IMTM Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reunion 2015

November 16, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger Leave a Comment

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

EVENT DATE: November 13th-14th, 2015

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, we make a trip by air to Auburn, Indiana, for the fifth consecutive year. Auburn is known as the former “little Detroit” where cars and racing have shaped the town since the 1930’s and still do, with a great number of automotive museums to attend. Once more, we went to the Kruse Automotive and Carriage Museum for the Fifth Annual International Monster Truck Museum Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reunion. Nearly 300 people from places like Texas, Maryland and Washington State were in attendance to watch four iconic monster truck personalities become the twenty-second through twenty-fifth inductees into the International Monster Truck Museum Hall of Fame. A new record of both classic and current monster trucks were on display throughout the weekend. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Feature Articles, Featured News, Monster Photos, News, The Allen Report Tagged With: Alan Tura, Auburn, Bigfoot 4x4, Billy Joe Miles, Breen Boys Racing Toys, David Morris, Equalizer, Gene Patterson, Goliath, IMTM Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reunion, Indiana, International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame, TNT Motorsports

Monster Photos: Monster X Tour – Gonzales, LA 2015

November 13, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 1 Comment

Event Information

Event: Monster X Tour
Venue: Lamar Dixon Expo Center
Location: Gonzales, Louisiana
Date: November 6th-7th, 2015
Photographer: Matthew Ison (Check out Matthew Ison Photography on Facebook)

Truck Lineup

Ground Pounder (Brandon Lagarde), Holman’s Beast (Bobby Holman), Mad Trax (Keith Ponthieux), Son of Beast (Cody Holman), Sudden Impact (Roddy Fahnestock) [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Featured News, Monster Photos, News Tagged With: Bobby Holman, Brandon Lagarde, Cody Holman, Gonzales, Ground Pounder, Holman's Beast, Keith Ponthieux, Lamar Dixon Expo Center, Louisiana, Mad Trax, Monster Truck Entertainment, monster x tour, Roddy Fahnestock, Son of Beast, Sudden Impact, Sudden Impact Racing

The Allen Report: Monster Trucks & FMX – Phoenix, AZ 2015

November 9, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 2 Comments

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

EVENT DATE: November 7th-8th, 2015

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, we go to the Arizona State Fairgrounds, a venue that has pretty much seen it all for the past one-hundred and thirty years, from the pre-war capital of motor racing in the city of Phoenix to a premier rodeo venue. And, of course, the Sanderson Ford Arena has seen no shortage of monster truck action, as it did over the fair closing weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Six gear grinding, ground pounding monster trucks arrived to do battle in six shows throughout the weekend. The shows consisted of wheelie contest and freestyle over Friday and Saturday before the High Jump and freestyle competitions on Sunday.

The shows featured Lake Havasu City, Arizona’s Mark Schroeder and his Felon truck. From just a few hours south of Phoenix was Rod Wood and his McGruff monster, ready to take a bite out of the competition. There also was Mexico’s Cesar Nunez driving the sleek 1963 split window Corvette Rat Attack. There also was the California based father and son team of Rick and Eric Swanson. Rick, as usual, piloted his bright yellow trophy truck Obsession and twenty year old Eric took the helm of his blue pickup truck bodied Obsessed. Rounding out the field was Tucson’s Sam Sturges in his 1942 Dodge Panel Wagon Unnamed & Untamed. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Feature Articles, Featured News, Monster Photos, News, The Allen Report Tagged With: Arizona, Arizona State Fair, Cesar Nunez, Eric Swanson, Grand Canyon State Promotions, Mark Schroeder, McGruff, Obsessed, Obsession, Obsession Racing, Phoenix, Rat Attack, Rick Swanson, Rod Wood, Sam Sturges, Sturges Motorsports, The Felon, Unnamed & Untamed

The Allen Report: Monster Truck Fall Nationals – Turlock, CA 2015

October 19, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 2 Comments

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

EVENT DATE: October 17th, 2015

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, we venture to Turlock, California, not far from Sacramento, which for fifty-one weeks a year is a farming community where life generally consists of dodging flies, delivering fruit and staying safe on the highways. But on this weekend, six of the best car crushing, dirt pounding monster trucks in the west came to the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds for the annual Coors Light Monster Truck Fall Nationals. The end of an era had arrived as this was the last show promoted by John Borba, the founder of WGAS Motorsports, as his daughter Chelsea plans to take over the business in 2016 and beyond.

Coming to do battle were former World Champions Jim Creten and Bounty Hunter, with wife Dawn in Scarlet Bandit right behind. Kelvin Ramer brought his 1934 Ford Coupe Time Flys to the fairgrounds. New Georgia Tech student Rosalee Ramer flew in to drive her usual truck Wild Flower. Finally, the “Flying Spaniard” Tony Canedo brought his signature Play N’ 4 Keeps along as did Roger Stidell in his usual Destroyer from Washington state. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Feature Articles, Featured News, Monster Photos, News, The Allen Report Tagged With: 2Xtreme Racing, Bounty Hunter, California, Dawn Creten, Destroyer, Jimmy Creten, Kelvin Ramer, Monster Truck Fall Nationals, Play'n 4 Keeps, Roger Stidell, Rosalee Ramer, Scarlet Bandit, Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, Time Flys, Tony Canedo, Turlock, WGAS Motorsports, Wild Flower

The Allen Report: Monster Truck Show – Perris, CA 2015

October 5, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 2 Comments

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

EVENT DATE: October 3rd, 2015

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, we make our way to Perris, CA, a quiet town which, for fifty-one weeks a year is a quiet, relaxing SoCal town. But on this weekend, WGAS Motorsports brought eight of the best monster trucks in the region to Perris Auto Speedway to open the Southern California fair. Former World Champion Jim Creten and Bounty Hunter lead the charge with wife and teammate Dawn Creten right behind in her typical Scarlet Bandit. Defending the home state turf was Kelvin Ramer in his 1934 Ford Coupe Time Flys. Wild Flower was in the house as well, but with Rosalee Ramer busy attending Georgia Tech, the driver’s seat was occupied by Kelvin’s friend Jeff Souza. Tony Canedo brought his fan favorite Play N’ 4 Keeps to the Speedway, with Roger Stidell in Destroyer right behind. Tony pulled double duty this weekend, also driving Survivor while friend John Northcutt took to the cockpit of Tony’s third truck, Enforcer. When a capacity crowd piled in for the freestyle action, taking place on the front straight-a-way of the Perris Auto Speedway, all signs pointed to a real battle for the championship. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Feature Articles, Featured News, Monster Photos, News, The Allen Report Tagged With: 2Xtreme Racing, Bounty Hunter, California, Dawn Creten, Destroyer, Enforcer, Jeff Souza, Jimmy Creten, John Northcutt, Kelvin Ramer, Monster Truck Show, Perris, Play'n 4 Keeps, Roger Stidell, Scarlet Bandit, Survivor, Time Flys, Tony Canedo, WGAS Motorsports, Wild Flower

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Indianapolis, IN 2015

September 30, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 2 Comments

Event Information

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Indiana State Fairgrounds
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: September 18th-20th, 2015
Photographer: Katelin White (Check out Katelin White Photography on Facebook)

Truck Lineup

Avenger (Jim Koehler), General Tire (Steve Koehler), Lucas Oil Bigfoot #18 (Larry Swim), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Retro Bigfoot #14 (Josh Gibson), Summit Bigfoot #21 (Dan Runte), XDP (Dave Radzierez) [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Featured News, Monster Photos, News Tagged With: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals, Avenger, Bigfoot, Bigfoot 4x4, Dan Runte, Dave Radzierez, Family Events, General Tire, Hall Brothers Racing, Indiana, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Jim Koehler, Josh Gibson, Larry Swim, Lucas Oil Bigfoot 18, Mark Hall, Mat Dishman, Raminator, Rammunition, Retro Bigfoot 14, Steve Koehler, Summit Bigfoot 21, Team Bigfoot, Team Scream, XDP

The Allen Report: Monster Truck Show – Globe, AZ 2015

September 21, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 1 Comment

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

EVENT DATE: September 19th, 2015

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, we make a short trip over to Globe, Arizona, a small town where mining, copper and quaint little shops are a natural part of life. But on this night at the Gila County Fairgrounds, four gear grinding, dirt slinging monster trucks made their debut at the county fair to a packed and enthusiastic house. From just down the road in Marana, Arizona was Rod Wood driving McGruff, ready to take a bite out of the competition. From the polar opposite side of the state in Parker, Arizona were Mark Schroeder and his truck convicted of mass devastation, the Felon. Finally, New Mexico’s Jack Koberna brought two of his trucks to the show. Jack himself drove the Rislone sponsored Tuff-E-Nuff while friend “T-Bone” took the reins of the world’s only two wheel drive monster truck, Cyborg. A standing room only crowd took to the grandstand to watch wheelie contest, Chicago style racing and car munching, high flying freestyle. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Feature Articles, Featured News, Monster Photos, News, The Allen Report Tagged With: Arizona, Cyborg, Gila County Fairgrounds, Globe, Jack Koberna, Mark Schroeder, McGruff, Monster Truck Show, Rod Wood, The Felon, Tuff Enuff

Monster Photos: Night of Fire & Destruction – Essex Junction, VT 2015

September 3, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 3 Comments

Event Information

Event: Night of Fire & Destruction
Venue: Champlain Valley Fair
Location: Essex Junction, Vermont
Date: August 30th, 2015
Photographer: Katelin White (Check out Katelin White Photography on Facebook)

Truck Lineup

Hurricane Force (Steve Thompson), Jethro Tow (Jeff Bursey), Rislone Defender (Zach Adams), Storm Damage (Mike Thompson), Summit Bigfoot #21 (Dan Runte), XDP (Dave Radzierez) [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Featured News, Monster Photos, News Tagged With: Bigfoot, Bigfoot 4x4, Champlain Valley Fair, Dan Runte, Dave Radzierez, Essex Junction, Hurricane Force, Jeff Bursey, Jethrow Tow, KSR Motorsports, Mike Thompson, Night of Fire & Destruction, Rislone Defender, Steve Thompson, Storm Damage, Summit Bigfoot 21, Team Bigfoot, Vermont, XDP, Zach Adams

The Allen Report: Maverik Clash of the Titans – West Valley City, UT 2015

August 10, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 3 Comments

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

EVENT DATE: August 8th-9th, 2015

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, we travel to West Valley City, Utah, just a stone’s throw from Salt Lake City, for the sixth year in a row. It’s a city known for snowy mountains and home of hockey’s Utah Grizzlies and basketball’s Utah Jazz. But on this day, ten huge names in monster trucks were going full bore outdoors in the nineteenth annual Maverik Clash of the Titans at the motor race facility Rocky Mountain Raceways. Jimmy Creten was back again, ready to defend the clean sweep he got a year ago in his sleek Bounty Hunter Black n’ Yellow. Wife Dawn Creten was ready to give it all in her usual Scarlet Bandit. Trent Montgomery was in the house in Knucklehead, the official monster vehicle of metal band Five Finger Death Punch. Newcomer Brian Maes rounded out Team 2Xtreme Racing in Iron Outlaw. Larry Swim was looking to take the title back to St. Louis as the pilot of Firestone Bigfoot #18, with rookie Josh Gibson right behind in the classic bodied Retro Bigfoot #14. It was sophomore season at RMR for Doug Charles and his radical looking Wild Thang, complete with an emotional tribute to original owner, Tony Farrell on the side. Travis Groth was gearing up for the show in his bright orange Trouble Maker while twin brother Tyler was doing the same in his green Double Trouble. Finally, hometown driver Ron Duncombe was ready to give the fans a show in his Maverik Monster Trakker. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Feature Articles, Featured News, Monster Photos, News, The Allen Report Tagged With: 2Xtreme Racing, Bigfoot, Bigfoot 4x4, Bounty Hunter, Brian Maes, Dawn Creten, Double Trouble, Doug Charles, Firestone Bigfoot 18, Iron Outlaw, Jimmy Creten, Josh Gibson, Knucklehead, Larry Swim, Maverik Clash of the Titans, Maverik Monster Trakkar, Mirror Image Racing, Retro Bigfoot 14, Rocky Mountain Raceway, Ron Duncombe, Scarlet Bandit, Team Bigfoot, Travis Groth, Trent Montgomery, Trouble Maker, Tyler Groth, Utah, West Valley City, Wild Thang

Monster Photos: East Texas Summer Spectacular – Lufkin, TX 2015

August 6, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 2 Comments

Event Information

Event: East Texas Summer Spectacular
Venue: Angelina County Expo Center
Location: Lufkin, Texas
Date: July 31st-August 1st, 2015
Photographer: Matthew Ison (Check out Matthew Ison Photography on Facebook)

Truck Lineup

Amsoil Shock Therapy (Roddy Fahnestock), Big Chief (Chris Trussell), Gun Slinger (Scott Hartsock), Predator (Allen Pezo), Pouncer (Ron Nelson), Tantrum (James Chandler) [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Featured News, Monster Photos, News Tagged With: Allen Pezo, Amsoil Shock Therapy, Angelina County Expo Center, Big Chief, Chris Trussell, East Texas Summer Spectacular, Extreme Monster Productions LLC, Gun Slinger, James Chandler, Lufkin, Pouncer, Predator, Predator Racing, Roddy Fahnestock, Ron Nelson, Scott Hartsock, Sudden Impact Racing, Tantrum, Texas

Monster Photos: Mechanical Mayhem – Amite, LA 2015

July 27, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 2 Comments

Event Information

Event: Mechanical Mayhem
Venue: Florida Parishes Arena
Location: Amite, Louisiana
Date: July 31st-August 1st, 2015
Photographer: Matthew Ison (Check out Matthew Ison Photography on Facebook)

Truck Lineup

Amsoil Shock Therapy (Steven Hill), Ballistic (James Chandler), Ground Pounder (Roddy Fahnestock), Sudden Impact (Chad Poston), Tantrum (Dillon Fenley) [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Featured News, Monster Photos, News Tagged With: Amite, Amsoil Shock Therapy, Ballistic, Chad Poston, Dillon Fenley, Extreme Team 4x4', Florida Parishes Arena, Ground Pounder, James Chandler, Louisiana, Mechanical Mayhem, Roddy Fahnestock, Steven Hill, Sudden Impact, Sudden Impact Racing, Tantrum

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Bloomsburg, PA 2015

July 19, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 3 Comments

Event Information

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Bloomsburg Fairgrounds
Location: Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Date: July 10th-12th, 2015
Photographer: Katelin White (Check out Katelin White Photography on Facebook)

Truck Lineup

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Featured News, Monster Photos, News Tagged With: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals, Avenger, Bigfoot, Bigfoot 4x4, Bloomsburg, Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, Dan Runte, Dave Radzierez, Family Events, General Tire, Hall Brothers Racing, Jim Koehler, Josh Gibson, Larry Swim, Lucas Oil Bigfoot 18, Mark Hall, Mat Dishman, Pennsylvania, Raminator, Rammunition, Retro Bigfoot 14, Steve Koehler, Summit Bigfoot 21, Team Bigfoot, Team Scream, XDP

The Allen Report: Monster Truck Show – Pomona, CA 2015

July 5, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 1 Comment

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

EVENT DATE: July 4th, 2015

Weekend Recap

This time on “the Allen Report”, we once more venture to the Fairplex in Pomona, California, a town rich in motorsport history as the birthplace of the modern day drag racing funny car and a host city of one of the first ever stadium off road event produced by the legendary Mickey Thompson. But on Fourth of July, it was all about gear grinding monster trucks. Jim and Dawn Creten made the trip up from Del Mar with Bounty Hunter and Scarlet Bandit ready to thrill the fans, as did Tony Canedo, only this time pulling double duty in Play N’ 4 Keeps and Enforcer. And nineteen year old rising star Eric Swanson was in town ready to perform in his sharp looking off road bodied Obsessed monster. When a huge crowd piled in, all things appeared to point to an action packed night, and all the performers delivered. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Feature Articles, Featured News, Monster Photos, News, The Allen Report Tagged With: 2Xtreme Racing, Bounty Hunter, California, Dawn Creten, Enforcer, Eric Swanson, Jimmy Creten, Monster Truck Show, Obsessed, Obsession Racing, Play'n 4 Keeps, Pomona, Scarlet Bandit, Tony Canedo, WGAS Motorsports

The Allen Report: Monster Truck Show – Del Mar, CA 2015

July 4, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 1 Comment

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

EVENT DATE: July 1st-3rd, 2015

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, we travel back to the San Diego County Fair, a place that, for one hundred years, has delivered on fun rides, great food and exciting entertainment. And on the first, second and third of July, the entertainment was in the Del Mar Arena, where seven ground pounding monster trucks arrived to do battle in wheelie contest the first day, freestyle the second and, on the third day, qualifying in the afternoon and racing in the evening. The husband and wife team of Jim and Dawn Creten came to town, Jim in his sleek new black and yellow Bounty Hunter and Dawn in her traditional Scarlet Bandit. The “Flying Spaniard” Tony Canedo drove his newly purchased Survivor and Roger Stidell, as usual, piloted the trophy truck bodied Destroyer. The father-daughter team of Kelvin and Rosalee Ramer were in the house to defend their southern California home turf, Kelvin in his 1934 Ford Coupe Time Flys and Rosalee in her usual Wild Flower. Finally, Rick Swanson and his crowd-amazing Wrongway Rick arrived. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Feature Articles, Featured News, Monster Photos, News, The Allen Report Tagged With: 2Xtreme Racing, Bounty Hunter, California, Dawn Creten, Del Mar, Destroyer, Jimmy Creten, Kelvin Ramer, Monster Truck Show, Obsession Racing, Rick Swanson, Roger Stidell, Rosalee Ramer, Scarlet Bandit, Survivor, Time Flys, Tony Canedo, WGAS Motorsports, Wild Flower, Wrongway Rick

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Lima, OH 2015

June 2, 2015 by TheMonsterBlogger 2 Comments

Event Information

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Allen County Fairgrounds
Location: Lima, Ohio
Date: May 15th-17th, 2015
Photographer: Katelin White (Check out Katelin White Photography on Facebook)

Truck Lineup

Filed Under: 2015 Photos, Featured News, Monster Photos, News Tagged With: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals, Allen County Fairgrounds, Avenger, Bigfoot, Bigfoot 4x4, Dan Runte, Dave Radzierez, Family Events, General Tire, Hall Brothers Racing, Jim Koehler, Josh Gibson, Larry Swim, Lima, Lucas Oil Bigfoot 18, Mark Hall, Mat Dishman, Ohio, Raminator, Rammunition, Retro Bigfoot 14, Steve Koehler, Summit Bigfoot 21, Team Bigfoot, Team Scream, XDP