Rochester will Rumble and Roar - Monster Jam is coming
Like many people, when Mark Hall is stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway, he dreams of climbing into one of those giant monster trucks with 70-inch-tall tires and crushing all those who sit in his way. Unlike most people, this is exactly what Hall gets to do when he gets out of a traffic jam.
Hall, along with his older brother Tim, are part of Hall Brothers Racing — a monster-truck team featuring the $150,000, 10-foot-tall, 10,300-pound and 2,000-horsepower 2006 Dodge Ram heavy-duty truck known as “Raminator.”
Raminator and world champions Grave Digger and El Toro Loco will be just some of the featured monster trucks at this weekend’s Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Thunder Nationals at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and can fly 130 feet — a distance greater than 14 cars side by side — and up to 35 feet in the air.
“We actually have a see-through fire wall on the bottom of the truck so when I am up in the air, I can actually still see the ground,” said Hall. “Getting paid to drive a monster truck is really the coolest job in the world.”
Born and raised in and around Champaign, Ill., Hall has been involved in racing from the word go.
“My dad was a race announcer,” he said. “On weekends, Mom would just pack us kids up and off we would go to the races. It was great, and we loved every minute of it.”
In 1978, Hall, along with his brother, began to make their dream of becoming race drivers come true.
The brothers started out running mud races with a stock truck and very little cash. Working out of their parents’ two-car garage, they began the task of working their way up through the ranks moving into the world of monster trucks in 1987.
“We struggled a lot in those days,” said Hall. “But we were definitely determined.”
Running on weekends and working during the week, the brothers amassed every dollar possible and, in 1988, decided they were ready to go racing on a full-time basis.
With Tim handling all the building and tuning, and Mark doing the fabricating, welding and driving, the duo continued their climb to the top. Winning numerous events and accolades along the way, Mark Hall began to make a name for himself as one of the foremost competitors in monster truck racing.
Today, Hall not only races in a number of series and special events, but also travels the country doing dealer appearances and charity functions. He has won 12 national series championships.
“Racing has changed radically over the years,” he said. “Years ago, you could just show up and race — today, it is very different. You have to be able to continually interface with sponsors, media and fans. I consider myself extremely lucky because I love what I do and I really feel blessed to be able to do it. Not many of us get to do what we truly love.”
As part of the Thunder Nationals, fans will not only be able to watch their favorite trucks demolish everything in site, but they will also have the opportunity to get a view of the massive trucks up-close and meet the drivers during Saturday’s pit party.
“To see a kid’s eyes light up when they are standing next to Raminator is just amazing,” said Hall.
“Just remember to bring ear plugs because Raminator is incredibly loud — that’s the thunder part.”
Source: Rochester will Rumble and Roar - Monster Jam is coming
Hall, along with his older brother Tim, are part of Hall Brothers Racing — a monster-truck team featuring the $150,000, 10-foot-tall, 10,300-pound and 2,000-horsepower 2006 Dodge Ram heavy-duty truck known as “Raminator.”
Raminator and world champions Grave Digger and El Toro Loco will be just some of the featured monster trucks at this weekend’s Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Thunder Nationals at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and can fly 130 feet — a distance greater than 14 cars side by side — and up to 35 feet in the air.
“We actually have a see-through fire wall on the bottom of the truck so when I am up in the air, I can actually still see the ground,” said Hall. “Getting paid to drive a monster truck is really the coolest job in the world.”
Born and raised in and around Champaign, Ill., Hall has been involved in racing from the word go.
“My dad was a race announcer,” he said. “On weekends, Mom would just pack us kids up and off we would go to the races. It was great, and we loved every minute of it.”
In 1978, Hall, along with his brother, began to make their dream of becoming race drivers come true.
The brothers started out running mud races with a stock truck and very little cash. Working out of their parents’ two-car garage, they began the task of working their way up through the ranks moving into the world of monster trucks in 1987.
“We struggled a lot in those days,” said Hall. “But we were definitely determined.”
Running on weekends and working during the week, the brothers amassed every dollar possible and, in 1988, decided they were ready to go racing on a full-time basis.
With Tim handling all the building and tuning, and Mark doing the fabricating, welding and driving, the duo continued their climb to the top. Winning numerous events and accolades along the way, Mark Hall began to make a name for himself as one of the foremost competitors in monster truck racing.
Today, Hall not only races in a number of series and special events, but also travels the country doing dealer appearances and charity functions. He has won 12 national series championships.
“Racing has changed radically over the years,” he said. “Years ago, you could just show up and race — today, it is very different. You have to be able to continually interface with sponsors, media and fans. I consider myself extremely lucky because I love what I do and I really feel blessed to be able to do it. Not many of us get to do what we truly love.”
As part of the Thunder Nationals, fans will not only be able to watch their favorite trucks demolish everything in site, but they will also have the opportunity to get a view of the massive trucks up-close and meet the drivers during Saturday’s pit party.
“To see a kid’s eyes light up when they are standing next to Raminator is just amazing,” said Hall.
“Just remember to bring ear plugs because Raminator is incredibly loud — that’s the thunder part.”
Source: Rochester will Rumble and Roar - Monster Jam is coming
