Behind the Scenes Reveals | The Making of Monster Jam Tracks + Trucks

The transformation of massive venues has always amazed me, even as an adult. Recently at a local venue, chart-topping headline performers were bringing rhythmic music and masterfully choreographed dance moves to a high-tech stage bursting with flashing strobe lights and amped up instruments before a high energy audience. Following that thrilling moment, flawless routines of top-ranked professional ice skaters were sliding and gliding across a showcase arena rink of glistening ice dazzling crowds with their grace and technicality. Fans roared in for a rousing, major sporting event with earsplitting team spirit echoing throughout the venue. The next transformation was for the rough and tumble destruction of world-renowned, larger-than-life monster trucks rolling in to prep for another unforgettable pit party. Here's a behind the scenes reveal of the making of Monster Jam tracks and trucks.

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Behind the Scenes Reveals | The Making of Monster Jam Tracks + Trucks

I have often wondered how it is that these premier international arenas transform into completely different venues for each stellar event shining on the marquee to grace the space. Monster Jam race tracks require so much more craftsmanship to complete the transformation than dumping a mound of dirt around the arena. The talent and skill of the Monster Jam track building team includes the work of the world’s best dirt track construction professionals. Building a Monster Jam track in some of the most famous stadiums requires a major construction project before each and every car-crushing event.

Before the monstrous dirt track construction begins, the Monster Jam track builders first determine the most effective ways to protect the existing flooring, turf or grass. To complete the total transformation from event space to race track, the track construction crew covers the floor or field and manages the delivery of the dirt and formation of the track. Afterwards, the Monster Jam tech staff stages the additional track obstacles and the customization of the Monster Jam track and venue.

Here’s a look at the transformation of a stadium from a football field into a ready-for-action, Monster Jam dirt track.

100,000 square feet of plastic and 6,000 sheets of plywood double layered to cover the grass

7,500 tons of dirt (300 truck loads)

1,500 working hours to build and remove track from beginning to end

1,500 gallons of fuel to power the machinery

1,200 feet of banners to dress the track

500 work hours to install and remove the plastic and plywood field cover

72-130 hours for the entire construction cycle from field to racetrack and back to field, depending on the type of field being covered.

30 gallons of paint to paint obstacles and track

30 dump trucks used

25 crush cars

20 pieces of heavy machinery

18 hours to paint logos and designs on track and obstacles

8-10 Dirt Crew members

6 dumpsters used as safety barriers (could be up to 40 in certain stadiums)

4 crush vans (plus 2 larger obstacles depending on track)

    

As the growing trends call for an increased demand for more dynamic freestyle competitions and increasingly technical tracks, the demands on the construction crews have comparatively increased. The need to make a quick transformation from set-up to take-down while carefully protecting the arena grounds is an essential skill. Just take a moment to consider all of the behind the scenes action required to take a stadium from a fully functioning football field one week, to a Monster Jam race track, and then ready for a battle of the bands the following week.

Monster Jam® is the perfect sports entertainment brand that mixes racing, showmanship, the ultimate fan connection and accessibility into one incredible show. Featuring the world’s most famous 1,500 horse power Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam events are the only place where fans will see legendary behemoth machines, including: Grave Digger®, Max D℠, Man of Steel™, El Toro Loco®, Batman™, and many more, compete in jaw-dropping spectacles.

Visit MonsterJam.com for more information and updates!

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