Events Coverage

"There's No Stopping Us"

The Gold Coast was certainly ready for its share of motor mayhem, as anyone and everyone who loves their entertainment big and loud showed up at the Parklands Showgrounds on New Year’s weekend to witness the Monsters Tour of Destruction. Monster trucks, freestyle motocross, mega stunts and the jet van all made up the ground-shaking combination, which has thrilled nearly 800,000 fans across Australia in 2007.

The return to the Coast was certainly something to look forward to. Unfortunately, due to a weeks worth of rain and even further grim forecasts, the overall number of spectators were down on previous years. But for those willing to gamble on their outing, they certainly were not disappointed. The rain eased off by showtime and in fact, looking back on the show, Gold Coaster’s were rewarded with more than they realised, since in the following days, all official New Year’s entertainment would be cancelled as a result of the storms.

Despite these setbacks, the show was pulled off quite successfully. All the planned performances were completed in rapid succession, and with Adam Brand and Wade Aunger hosting the show, the crowd were further kept on their feet, clapping and cheering all night long. Clive Featherby also garnered the attention of the crowd, giving his race helmet to a lucky child, and taking a father and son on a passenger ride in the Flying Inferno firewall stunt. From the point of view of the spectators, the night couldn’t be any more thrilling and awe-inspiring.

The view from the pits was in stark contrast to the spectators experience however, as everyone was constantly on edge. Only a few days earlier, the trucks had performed 950km’s away south, at Fairfield NSW. As a result of that show, Lindsay Houston and the team at LDI Kustoms had to make the usual panic drive down from the Sunshine Coast to repair the damage sustained from the Fairfield encounter by Devils Dodge and Outback Thunda. Adding to that, they also got to work on Batman, applying a brand new vinyl scheme.

The team at KC’s Fireworks couldn’t find the time to rest either. Right from the showtime’s get go, the monster trucks began to show difficulties. Scooby Doo had flooded the oil sump with coolant, which was soon diagnosed as a cracked head. Somewhat fortunately though, due to the cooler running nature of an alcohol fuelled engine, Scooby was able to make short trips out on field, and go on to perform one of the nights best wheel stands. The new sensation, Devils Dodge, also experienced problems very early in the show. After the first jump, the Dodge lost all drive to the rear wheels, slowing down its momentum over the crush cars, ending any chance of pulling perfect sky wheelies. Outback Thunda and Bear Foot were lucky to escape major mechanical setbacks. Both had lost ignition on several occasions throughout the night, but were able to be refired to complete their spectacular runs. Batman had showed no problems and ran consistent passes all night long.

The Parklands show had every potential to become a disaster for the attending crowd. However, due to the unheeding commitment of the teams at KC’s Fireworks, LDI Kustoms and all other teams involved, the overall show was able to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds against it and come out a roaring success. Both the teams at LDI and KC’s kept a solid pace throughout morning, day and night, working on the trucks in the days leading up to the event. Nobody stopped until the job was complete - but as they would also tell anyone, the job is never complete, as there is always the next show…

©1999-2008