Q. What is a Monster Truck?
A. For the purposes of this FAQ we'll call a Monster Truck a highly modified four wheel drive vehicle. The most distinguishing characteristic is the extreme oversize tires.
Most monster trucks are speed and handling enhanced in order to race similar trucks over obstacle courses usually set up with cars to run over(crush), dirt ramps to jump, possibly a little water puddle, and a drag racing style timing system.
Q. What is the AMTRA?
A. The AMTRA or Australian Monster Truck Racing Association is the organization of Monster Truck owners, drivers, sponsors, promoters, officials and Fans.
This group exists to promote the sport and to provide safety guidelines for conducting events.
Mr Clive Featherby
PO Box 6112
Mooloolah Queensland 4553
Phone 07 5494 5098
Mobile 0407 713 566
Fax 07 5494 5091
Email featherby@bigpond.com
Q. How many Monster Trucks are there?
A. There are currently 5 trucks in the Kc's fireworks fleet alone. You can see a list of these trucks along with their specifications in the Trucks section of this webpage
Around the world there are over 500 monster trucks, only 100 or so of
which are full blown racing trucks. Others are exhibition, car crushers, ride trucks, or promotions vehicles. This includes the majority in the USA. There are several in Canada, England, and New Zealand.
Q. How big are those Tyres?
A. 66 inches tall by 43 inches wide with about 10 psi of air. They weigh about 900 lbs. with rims and (sometimes) tubes. Most of these tyres are run tubeless unless a puncture or other problems forces a tube to be installed.
Q. Where do their tyres come from?
A. These tires are often used on fertilizer spreaders and are called
Flotation tires because they spread the vehicle's weight across a wider surface. Some Monster Trucks have floated on water with these large tyres on.
Q. How big are those engines?
A. The engine in an AMTRA certified truck must be no larger than 575 cubic inches! This refers to the bore or barrel size x the stroke or travel length!
Q. Can someone please explain planetaries and why they are so important?
A. The planetaries are the wheel hubs of most monster trucks! A Planetary drive will have a input shaft entering one side with a gear (called a sun gear) on the `inside the hub' end. Three stationary `planet' gears
will engage this `sun' gear and inturn engage a ring gear fastened to the outside case that transfers the shaft torque through the planet gears and on to the ring gear. The ring gear is fastened to the hub and the hub mounts
the wheel and tire.
Monster truck Planetaries provide a bigger bearing surface and much more `meat' (metal mass) than a standard hub and bearing like a school bus rear axle would have. There is also a gear reduction since the planet gears, the sun gear and the outer ring can be different sizes (well, effective size on the outer ring gear).
On a monster truck, the planetary also incorporates the steering knuckle and Universal joint that allows the wheels to turn and steer the vehicle.
Planetary gear data
Q. How fast can a Monster Truck go?
A. Captain Crusher has a top speed of 130 km/h. On the quickest courses, drivers usually can get the truck up to 100 km/h in a 100 meter span. Typically indoors, drivers max out at 40 - 60 km/h.
Q. How heavy are most Monster Trucks?
A. Somewhere in the range of 5 tonnes.
Older trucks from the early 80's weighed nearly 10 tonnes. and added
weight simply because they would look better crushing cars. However as time evolved and monster truck racing was introduced, most started using aluminum to replace steel, tubular chassis and fiberglass bodies to reduce the weight.
Q. How do they move a Monster Truck from one place to another?
A. Most often these are hauled in a semi-trailer with all the tools and spare parts needed to move and repair the Monster Truck. On a real short run the truck may be `Wide Loaded' on a flat bed trailer.
Q. HOW DO YOU GET IN THEM THINGS?
A. In most of the new fiberglass body trucks, there is a hatch in the floor for the drivers to climb up through.
On a older truck, the driver would open the door, grab hold of the seat and door, push off the front tyre and pull himself into the truck. The hatch is definitely easier.
Q. How does the driver steer the rear wheels? Are they hooked to the Steering wheel also?
A. No, the rear wheels are not hooked to the steering wheel. On most Monster Trucks there is a toggle switch mounted where the driver can operate it with his free hand. The centre is off and moving the toggle in either direction cause the rear wheels to steer more left or right.
Many of these steering systems also have a second switch to select a
automatic centering capability. When the driver removes pressure on the steering toggle the wheels will return to a centred (straight ahead) position.
Finally, when racing most drivers mechanically lock the rear steering at centre position by bolting on a locking bar or aligning a hole in a locking tab on the steering tie rod with a corresponding hole on the rear housing.
Q. What kind of fuel do they run in a Monster Truck?
A. Racing Methanol (alcohol) is the fuel of choice for most monster trucks. Methanol runs cooler while producing more horsepower.
Most of these trucks use a little gasoline to start the engine, either squirting it in by hand through the Blower air intake or using an auxiliary fuel pump to inject a small amount to the intake area.
Q. How can I get a ride in a Monster Truck?
A. Kc's has a Monster Patrol Rides Truck, at most of their events.
It can seat up to 12 people at a time. The truck has all the features of a racing tuck including rear steer. The motor runs on normal fuel the same as the average family car.
Q. How can I get a Pit Pass??
A. To get into a pit party is free of charge at most shows.
Pit Passes are given to Media Representatives and people who are required to be in the Pit Area during the show.
Q. I know the drivers wear seat belts, helmets and special suits. Can you elaborate a little on what they have in the truck?
A. The drivers wear fire resistant suits, gloves, a helmet liner and shoes. They are held into the seat by a standard 5 way racing harness.
The helmets are racing quality Snell Foundation approved (Minimum rating is Snell 90).
Drivers must wear a neck collar and some drivers wear a `kidney belt' to help absorb the impact compression forces on the spine and neck.
Q. How much does a Monster Truck cost?
A. A monster truck can cost around $300,000, with the motor costing anything up to $100,000 alone.
Q. How long does it take to build a Monster truck?
A. It can take anywhere from 3 months to a year to build a monster truck. Of course this figure varies depending on how much time is put into detail work and how many people are working on the project.
Q. When can I see monster trucks in my town?
A. For a listing of the most up-to-date events, check out the
Event calendar at Kc's fireworks website: http://www.kcsfireworks.com/eventinfo.php
This schedule is updated every few weeks and has two or three month's worth of information so that you only get the most accurate information available. Along with the schedule, you can view information about the event & get the telephone number of the promoter putting on the event.
Q. How can I get the autograph of my favorite driver?
A. There are a few different ways to accomplish this. One way is to attend an event. A lot of times, there is a pit party before the races where you can meet the drivers & get their autographs. There is also a autograph table at many events, immediately after the event.
Q. How can I get a Tee-Shirt of my favorite truck(s)
A. http://www.kcsfireworks.com/shop/ or there is usually a merchandise van or stand at most events.
Q. Where can I find a large group of pictures and Info in one place on the Internet?
A. On this site (right here)! Or have a look at some of the links here on the links page.
Q. Is there a mailing list?
A. If you become an Associate Member of the AMTRA, you will receive The Monster Monthly Newsletter.
Q. Is their someplace I can chat or e-mail to other people interested in Monster Trucks?
A. Try posting on the Discussion Board on this website, the members there will be happy to answer your questions. I know some of the drivers browse the forums, so who knows you might actually get a reply from one of them…
A. For the purposes of this FAQ we'll call a Monster Truck a highly modified four wheel drive vehicle. The most distinguishing characteristic is the extreme oversize tires.
Most monster trucks are speed and handling enhanced in order to race similar trucks over obstacle courses usually set up with cars to run over(crush), dirt ramps to jump, possibly a little water puddle, and a drag racing style timing system.
Q. What is the AMTRA?
A. The AMTRA or Australian Monster Truck Racing Association is the organization of Monster Truck owners, drivers, sponsors, promoters, officials and Fans.
This group exists to promote the sport and to provide safety guidelines for conducting events.
Mr Clive Featherby
PO Box 6112
Mooloolah Queensland 4553
Phone 07 5494 5098
Mobile 0407 713 566
Fax 07 5494 5091
Email featherby@bigpond.com
Q. How many Monster Trucks are there?
A. There are currently 5 trucks in the Kc's fireworks fleet alone. You can see a list of these trucks along with their specifications in the Trucks section of this webpage
Around the world there are over 500 monster trucks, only 100 or so of
which are full blown racing trucks. Others are exhibition, car crushers, ride trucks, or promotions vehicles. This includes the majority in the USA. There are several in Canada, England, and New Zealand.
Q. How big are those Tyres?
A. 66 inches tall by 43 inches wide with about 10 psi of air. They weigh about 900 lbs. with rims and (sometimes) tubes. Most of these tyres are run tubeless unless a puncture or other problems forces a tube to be installed.
Q. Where do their tyres come from?
A. These tires are often used on fertilizer spreaders and are called
Flotation tires because they spread the vehicle's weight across a wider surface. Some Monster Trucks have floated on water with these large tyres on.
Q. How big are those engines?
A. The engine in an AMTRA certified truck must be no larger than 575 cubic inches! This refers to the bore or barrel size x the stroke or travel length!
Q. Can someone please explain planetaries and why they are so important?
A. The planetaries are the wheel hubs of most monster trucks! A Planetary drive will have a input shaft entering one side with a gear (called a sun gear) on the `inside the hub' end. Three stationary `planet' gears
will engage this `sun' gear and inturn engage a ring gear fastened to the outside case that transfers the shaft torque through the planet gears and on to the ring gear. The ring gear is fastened to the hub and the hub mounts
the wheel and tire.
Monster truck Planetaries provide a bigger bearing surface and much more `meat' (metal mass) than a standard hub and bearing like a school bus rear axle would have. There is also a gear reduction since the planet gears, the sun gear and the outer ring can be different sizes (well, effective size on the outer ring gear).
On a monster truck, the planetary also incorporates the steering knuckle and Universal joint that allows the wheels to turn and steer the vehicle.
Planetary gear data
Q. How fast can a Monster Truck go?
A. Captain Crusher has a top speed of 130 km/h. On the quickest courses, drivers usually can get the truck up to 100 km/h in a 100 meter span. Typically indoors, drivers max out at 40 - 60 km/h.
Q. How heavy are most Monster Trucks?
A. Somewhere in the range of 5 tonnes.
Older trucks from the early 80's weighed nearly 10 tonnes. and added
weight simply because they would look better crushing cars. However as time evolved and monster truck racing was introduced, most started using aluminum to replace steel, tubular chassis and fiberglass bodies to reduce the weight.
Q. How do they move a Monster Truck from one place to another?
A. Most often these are hauled in a semi-trailer with all the tools and spare parts needed to move and repair the Monster Truck. On a real short run the truck may be `Wide Loaded' on a flat bed trailer.
Q. HOW DO YOU GET IN THEM THINGS?
A. In most of the new fiberglass body trucks, there is a hatch in the floor for the drivers to climb up through.
On a older truck, the driver would open the door, grab hold of the seat and door, push off the front tyre and pull himself into the truck. The hatch is definitely easier.
Q. How does the driver steer the rear wheels? Are they hooked to the Steering wheel also?
A. No, the rear wheels are not hooked to the steering wheel. On most Monster Trucks there is a toggle switch mounted where the driver can operate it with his free hand. The centre is off and moving the toggle in either direction cause the rear wheels to steer more left or right.
Many of these steering systems also have a second switch to select a
automatic centering capability. When the driver removes pressure on the steering toggle the wheels will return to a centred (straight ahead) position.
Finally, when racing most drivers mechanically lock the rear steering at centre position by bolting on a locking bar or aligning a hole in a locking tab on the steering tie rod with a corresponding hole on the rear housing.
Q. What kind of fuel do they run in a Monster Truck?
A. Racing Methanol (alcohol) is the fuel of choice for most monster trucks. Methanol runs cooler while producing more horsepower.
Most of these trucks use a little gasoline to start the engine, either squirting it in by hand through the Blower air intake or using an auxiliary fuel pump to inject a small amount to the intake area.
Q. How can I get a ride in a Monster Truck?
A. Kc's has a Monster Patrol Rides Truck, at most of their events.
It can seat up to 12 people at a time. The truck has all the features of a racing tuck including rear steer. The motor runs on normal fuel the same as the average family car.
Q. How can I get a Pit Pass??
A. To get into a pit party is free of charge at most shows.
Pit Passes are given to Media Representatives and people who are required to be in the Pit Area during the show.
Q. I know the drivers wear seat belts, helmets and special suits. Can you elaborate a little on what they have in the truck?
A. The drivers wear fire resistant suits, gloves, a helmet liner and shoes. They are held into the seat by a standard 5 way racing harness.
The helmets are racing quality Snell Foundation approved (Minimum rating is Snell 90).
Drivers must wear a neck collar and some drivers wear a `kidney belt' to help absorb the impact compression forces on the spine and neck.
Q. How much does a Monster Truck cost?
A. A monster truck can cost around $300,000, with the motor costing anything up to $100,000 alone.
Q. How long does it take to build a Monster truck?
A. It can take anywhere from 3 months to a year to build a monster truck. Of course this figure varies depending on how much time is put into detail work and how many people are working on the project.
Q. When can I see monster trucks in my town?
A. For a listing of the most up-to-date events, check out the
Event calendar at Kc's fireworks website: http://www.kcsfireworks.com/eventinfo.php
This schedule is updated every few weeks and has two or three month's worth of information so that you only get the most accurate information available. Along with the schedule, you can view information about the event & get the telephone number of the promoter putting on the event.
Q. How can I get the autograph of my favorite driver?
A. There are a few different ways to accomplish this. One way is to attend an event. A lot of times, there is a pit party before the races where you can meet the drivers & get their autographs. There is also a autograph table at many events, immediately after the event.
Q. How can I get a Tee-Shirt of my favorite truck(s)
A. http://www.kcsfireworks.com/shop/ or there is usually a merchandise van or stand at most events.
Q. Where can I find a large group of pictures and Info in one place on the Internet?
A. On this site (right here)! Or have a look at some of the links here on the links page.
Q. Is there a mailing list?
A. If you become an Associate Member of the AMTRA, you will receive The Monster Monthly Newsletter.
Q. Is their someplace I can chat or e-mail to other people interested in Monster Trucks?
A. Try posting on the Discussion Board on this website, the members there will be happy to answer your questions. I know some of the drivers browse the forums, so who knows you might actually get a reply from one of them…
FAQ's originally sourced from www.faqs.org/faqs/autos/sport/monster-trucks/
These have been modified to represent Australian Trucks and organisations.
These have been modified to represent Australian Trucks and organisations.
