Australian Monster Nationals Preview

Australian Monster Nationals Preview - http://www.amt.mtm2.com/

Brisbane Australian Record - by Clive Featherby

For months we talked about the Australian Monster Nationals coming to the Brisbane Ekka RNA Showgrounds, and when it did hit Brisbane on January 20th, it lived up to all expectations. Right from the media day on the Wednesday prior, when basically every form of media in Brisbane turned up for the press day to see local football stars Allan Langer and Shane Webke, along with V8 Touring Car champion Craig Lowndes, strut their stuff in the monster trucks., the event had success written all over it. That night the monsters made every State and National news, had full colour features in next days newspaper and was on at least nine major radio stations.

A new record attendance of 20,202 was set for the Ekka show, and it was the first time in 18 years that the venue had been sold out. Amazingly, the last time this happened was when we ran one of our speedway spectaculars back in the 80's.

The crowd were treated to great stadium motocross action, awesome freestyle motocross with two backflippers, including Crusty Demon Cameron Sinclair, the two Jet Cars and by far the biggest fireworks display the venue had ever seen. Along with that, Jaye Featherby smashed through 3 firewalls on the bonnet of the stunt car, and of course there were the monster trucks!

The trucks started off with a grand parade that also led to the official unveiling of Batman. However, it seems, what surprised the capacity crowd more, was when former QUeensland State of Origin Captain, Allan "Alfie" Langer, jumped out of the truck to wave at the audience.

When the monsters did fire up, first up was a celebrity shootout between Langer in Batman, Craig Lowndes in Aussie Predator and Shane Webke behind the wheel of Monster Patrol. All three trucks and drivers performed surprisingly well, but it was the professional motor racing driver, Craig Lowndes, who without a doubt took out the competition, showing why he really is Australia's number one Touring Car driver.

Half way through the show was the sky wheelie competition, where each truck was given 90 seconds to perform the best sky wheelies and determine who would be the 2007 Australian Champion. Sherri Schafer, driving Bear Foot, was the first out and almost put the truck over on its left side on jump number two. The truck is not the best and is most probably the roughest truck we have ever brought in from the USA, so Sherri did well to do what she did. Later on, during the finale, Sherri would return in the crippled truck, would unbelievingly attempt to jump a row of cars with locked rear steering, and end up putting the truck on its roof!

Lowndes was next, driving Aussie Predator, and for only his second time in the truck, he was almost as good as any monster truck driver, ever in Australia, showing that these elite driver can really drive anything.

Monster Patrol was next, with Webke behind the wheel, but again, the second of the new USA trucks was breaking down badly, leaving one to wonder if these really are the conditions of the trucks that some US promoters are used to... and if so, they must perform extremely poor at shows...

"Alfie" Langer was next up in Batman, and had the crowd cheering straight away. However, he performed distance jumps, so didn't score too well, but was still brilliant considering this is not his regular job.

Next up was Billy Featherby in Captain Crusher, who had the crowd roaring with great jumps. However, the 15 year old still didn't attack one sky wheelie. By far, Billy was the most spectacular, and if it was any other competition, he would of won hand downs.

Last out was Outback Thunda, which was unfortunately losing power right from the first jump. In all honestly, the truck could do nothing but sky wheelies, as it broke down each time it got upright on the cars.

All in all, it was a great night of mixed family entertainment, that has lifted the profile of monster trucks in this part of the world. Unfortunately, the Ekka showgrounds will not be available in 2007 and 2008, due to renovations, so it will not be until be January 2009 that the trucks can return. Hopefully a new Brisbane venue can be found to patch up the gap while the building work is taking place.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• aussie
• monster
• truck
• monstertruck
• australia
• captian
• crusher
• patrol
• predator
• batman
• bearfoot
• outback
• thunda
• lowndes
• webke

[DEATHPONYDEATH666]

what was the last truck?

[GotAMT]

Outback Thunda is the last truck in the video.

[nolangreen]

that is the ugliest version of batman i have ever seen lol. Otherwise good video, alot of trucks i havent seen for a while.

[GotAMT]

You're not the only one who thinks Batman is ugly! Good news is that Batman will debut in early 2008 with a new retro body design.

[MarvelMTs]

Maybe this show wasn't much compared to the world finals you have now, but at least it sent you guys one step closer to a World Finals

[UsedCarsBrisbane]

looks like fun

[JAWSBRO1]

@DEATHPONYDEATH666 Outback thunda

[JAWSBRO1]

@freizzy28 and @poisonberries21 they drove like that cause that was some early shows they did and they didnt know how to drive real good but now they drive sick. and they can drive like the americans cause of parts and cost. its 10 times more to run the trucks over here then the USA

[freizzy28]

yer man i agree even though im an ausie i think they drive like pussies too, compared to the americans anyway

[poisonberries21]

trucks look awesome but the drivers are driving like pansies. wtf? get some real air on that shit.

[ibzrg120]

i havent seen monster patrol in sooooooo longgggggggg

[Hellafireleli]

the new batman is really wierd tho lol