With Monster Jam coming up this Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., we thought we’d give you a little insight about what it takes to judge the freestyle competition.
During a 90 second freestyle run, the mechanical competitors of Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam face off, smashing their way around (and often through) the obstacles on the track, including buses, cars, dirt jumps, planes, camping caravans, large recreational vehicles and more. Pushed to their physical limits, their mission is to entertain the fans and tame the course. As the freestyle competition unfolds, the drivers work vigorously to out-perform the other monster trucks by impressing the freestyle judges to win the competition. Judges score Monster Jam freestyle on a scale of 1 to 10. Below are some of the criteria used to determine the score.
Points are given on:
- Number and variety of tricks
- Hitting the most obstacles on the track including cars, buses, caravans and dirt jumps
- Higher jumps get higher scores
- Donuts (or Cyclone Donuts)
- Hitting the obstacles in reverse
- Spectacular stunt – something unexpected or seemingly impossible
- Saves – skillfully driving to avoid a roll-over or crash, often “saving” the trick by driving on the two side wheels until the truck rights itself
- Wheelies
- Sky Wheelies
- Combinations – performing multiple tricks using obstacles in one pass
Deductions are given on:
- Rollovers
- Reverse receives a deduction unless the truck is hitting an obstacle
- Failing to use the entire time allotted
- Using more than the time allotted
- No stops! Use the full time allotted
Now you should probably make your way here to any of the 3 shows this weekend and test out your new found knowledge. Get tix at http://www.dahlstickets.com, opening night tickets are just $14. Hurry – prices increase $2 day of show.
See the trucks up close and personal at 3 Advance Auto Parts on Thursday, Jan. 5 from 2 – 6 p.m., and get driver autographs!
Grave Digger:
Thursday, January 5th 2012 from 2-6 PM
Advanced Auto Parts
4801 SE 14th St
Des Moines
Bounty Hunter:
Thursday, January 5th 2012 from 2-6 PM
Advanced Auto Parts (Store #5811)
1817 University Ave
Des Moines
Scarlet Bandit
Thursday, January 5th 2012 from 2-6 PM
Advanced Auto Parts (Store #5104)
2519 Easton Blvd
Des Moines
