HISTORY

In 1981 the first car crush took place in a stadium show. It didn’t take long for others to follow in Bob Chandler’s foot steps and create their own monster trucks. Once you put two high horse power vehicles side by side you create an atmosphere for competition. The monster truck industry was growing fast and the trucks were getting faster and faster. Monster trucks, in the mid 80’s, were large cumbersome vehicles with stiff suspensions and huge engines. It became obvious that it would be necessary to institute regulations to help put together a safe environment for not only the competitors but for the fans too.

A letter was drafted by Bob Chandler and George Carpenter inviting monster truck owner/drivers to a get together in St Louis in September 1987 that was to take place in conjunction with a local show . Eleven drivers attended the meeting at the BIGFOOT shop where initial discussions took place. An interim board was selected that included George Carpenter, Danny Tassone (Star Monster) and Denise Robinson (formerly of Clydesdale).

Three months later (12/07/87), the first official MTRA meeting was held. 49 owner/drivers attended and an official board was voted on.

The first board members of the MTRA:
- Bob Chandler (BIGFOOT) – President
- George Carpenter – Assistant President/Safety Director
- Bill Weaver (Rambo) – Director
- Fred Shafer (Bear Foot) – Director
- Jon Breen (Stomper Bully) – Director
- Donna Purcell – Secretary/Treasurer

Decisions made at this first meeting included:
- Inspection Sheets will be used
- A complete Rule book was voted on
- Membership categories were designated (Owner, Promoter, Sponsor, Associate)
- Membership fees

The monster truck owners/drivers were very excited about the future of the monster truck industry and felt that the MTRA would only enhance its longevity by helping produce a safe environment that will help draw the growing fan base.

All major promoters soon supported and used the MTRA rules. Promoters have even come to the MTRA and requested to use (copy) the MTRA rules as part of their rule book for their activities. Promoters can and have been encouraged to participate in the MTRA as associate and board members.

Since 1988 there has been an annual MTRA meeting.

The MTRA has been innovative in developing and establishing stringent safety guidelines required by all members, some of which include the following:

- Remote Ignition Interrupter (RII) – enables the vehicle to be shut down from a remote location.
- Annual inspections for vehicle certification – keeps vehicles safe for drivers and spectators.
- Certified drivers – drivers must pass a two part driving test to get a “Class A” certification.
- Truck Inspections: Initial inspections would take place upon enrollment.

In 1989 a training session for inspectors was added as part of the annual meeting. MTRA members interested in becoming certified truck inspectors are required to attended this 4 hour technical training session. At the end of the training session a thorough test is administered which members must pass to become certified. Members must be recertified each year.

The MTRA is very positive about the future of its organization and the Monster Truck industry as a whole.

MTRA AWARDS

The Monster Truck Racing Association is an organization made up of many of the top monster truck teams in the industry. At the end of each year, the MTRA membership gets together to honor outstanding member accomplishments during the long season. Here are some of the past winners of the MTRA Awards:

2009

Driver of the Year – Larry Swim, Bigfoot #14
Truck of the Year – Tie: Tail Gator / Bigfoot #16 / High Maintenance
Rookie of the Year – Zach Adams, Rislone Defender
Most Improved Team of the Year – Truk Wurks Off Road
Mechanic of the Year – John Petersen, Bigfoot 4×4
Promoter of the Year – Image Promotions
Sportsman of the Year – Mike West
Safety Award – Marty Garza

2008

Driver of the Year – Tie: Doug Noelke, Tail Gator / Dan Runte, Bigfoot #16
Truck of the Year – Tail Gator
Rookie of the Year – Jerry Dalton, Bigfoot #11
Most Improved Team of the Year – Big Dawg 4×4
Mechanic of the Year – Tim Hall, Hall Brothers Racing
Promoter of the Year – Image Promotions
Sportsman of the Year – Tie: Doug Noelke / Jeff & Jocelyn Perrin
Safety Award – George Eisenhart

2007

Driver of the Year – Mark Hall, Raminator
Truck of the Year – Raminator
Rookie of the Year – Lionel Easler, Instigator
Most Improved Team of the Year – Big Dawg 4×4
Mechanic of the Year – Tim Hall, Hall Brothers Racing
Promoter of the Year – Image Promotions
Sportsman of the Year – Doug Noelke
Safety Award – Mike West

2006

Driver of the Year – Mark Hall, Raminator
Truck of the Year – Raminator
Rookie of the Year – Keith Sturgeon, Bigfoot #14
Most Improved Team of the Year – Rammunition
Mechanic of the Year – Tim Hall, Hall Brothers Racing
Promoter of the Year – Image Promotions
Sportsman of the Year – Rick Long
Safety Award – Kyle Doyle

2005

Driver of the Year – Mark Hall, Raminator
Truck of the Year – Raminator
Rookie of the Year – Rick Long, Bigfoot #11
Most Improved Team of the Year – Hoffman Motorsports
Mechanic of the Year – Roy Hooser, Bigfoot 4×4
Promoter of the Year – Image Promotions
Sportsman of the Year – Andy Hoffman
Safety Award – Bob Chandler

2004

Driver of the Year – Doug Noelke, Big Dawg
Truck of the Year – Raminator
Rookie of the Year – Geremie Dishman, Rammunition
Most Improved Team of the Year – Rammunition
Mechanic of the Year – Roy Hooser, Bigfoot 4×4
Promoter of the Year -
Sportsman of the Year -
Safety Award -

2003

Driver of the Year – Eric Tack, Bigfoot
Truck of the Year – Raminator
Rookie of the Year – Dale Gerding, Big Dawg
Most Improved Team of the Year -
Mechanic of the Year – Roy Hooser, Bigfoot 4×4
Promoter of the Year -
Sportsman of the Year -
Safety Award -

2002

Driver of the Year – Mark Hall, Raminator
Truck of the Year – Raminator
Rookie of the Year – Dale Benear, Rammunition
Most Improved Team of the Year – Big Dawg 4×4
Mechanic of the Year (First Year Given) – Roy Hooser, Bigfoot 4×4
Promoter of the Year – ??
Sportsman of the Year – ??
Safety Award – ??

2001

Driver of the Year – Mark Hall, Executioner
Truck of the Year – Executioner
Rookie of the Year – Doug Noelke, Big Dawg
Most Improved Team of the Year – Blown Thunder
Promoter of the Year – International Speedway Corporation
Sportsman of the Year – Doug Cole
Safety Award – Tim Hall

2000

Driver of the Year – Eric Tack
Truck of the Year – Bigfoot
Rookie of the Year – Brian Bertoletti
Most Improved Team of the Year – Nitro Fish / Ice Man
Promoter of the Year – International Speedway Corporation
Sportsman of the Year – John Seasock
Safety Award – John Seasock

1999

Driver of the Year – Dan Runte, Bigfoot
Truck of the Year – Bigfoot
Rookie of the Year – Jeff Patterson, Rampage
Most Improved Team of the Year – Sudden Impact
Promoter of the Year – Special Events
Sportsman of the Year – Mark Hall
Safety Award – Tim Hall

1998

Driver of the Year – Dan Runte, Bigfoot
Truck of the Year – Samson / Monster Patrol
Rookie of the Year -
Most Improved Team of the Year – Rampage
Promoter of the Year – USA Motorsports
Sportsman of the Year – John Seasock
Safety Award – Dan Patrick

1997

Driver of the Year – Eric Meagher, Bigfoot / Tom Meents, Monster Patrol
Truck of the Year – Bigfoot
Rookie of the Year – ??
Most Improved Team of the Year – Paul Shafer Motorsports
Promoter of the Year – USA Motorsports
Sportsman of the Year – John Seasock
Safety Award – Dan Patrick

1996

Driver of the Year – Mark Hall, Executioner
Truck of the Year – Executioner
Rookie of the Year -
Most Improved Team of the Year – Hall Brothers Racing
Promoter of the Year – USA Motorsports
Sportsman of the Year – Dan Patrick
Safety Award – Diehl Wilson

1995

Driver of the Year – Dan Runte, Bigfoot
Truck of the Year -
Rookie of the Year -
Most Improved Team of the Year -
Promoter of the Year -
Sportsman of the Year -
Safety Award -

1994

Driver of the Year – Dan Runte, Bigfoot
Truck of the Year – Samson
Rookie of the Year -
Most Improved Team of the Year -
Promoter of the Year -
Sportsman of the Year – Dan Patrick
Safety Award -

1993

Driver of the Year – Dan Runte, Bigfoot
Truck of the Year – Bigfoot #11
Rookie of the Year -
Most Improved Team of the Year -
Promoter of the Year -
Sportsman of the Year -
Safety Award -