'Tuff trucks and monsters at Champion Saturday'

If you ever wanted to take a close up look at a monster truck Friday is your opportunity.

Monster Patrol is one of several who will be in action at Champion Motor Speedway Saturday for a Pro Monster Truck Racing Association show.

"This will be an all-out, freestyle show for the trucks," said Steve Quercio, show coordinator.

Monster Patrol will be at Les Schwab Tire Center from 2-6 p.m. today for fans to get a gander at the enormous size of the car-crushing behemoths. Monster Patrol is based in Chicago and is driven by Gino Scali.

"This is really a top of the line truck," Quercio said.

"It will blow everybody away."

Quercio also encourages locals with their own tuff trucks to enter the competition. No, not to be crushed by the big guys, but to see who has the best tuff truck and can conquer the course in record time. Also, anyone who wants to enter the destruction derby is welcome to do so.

"It will be a fun deal. We already have some guys from Gardnerville entered for the destruction derby," Quercio said.

"For the tuff truck competition, this is made for locals. All they need are a helmet and seatbelt. They run for time over humps, bumps and small jumps. They're not going to tear their stuff up -- unless they get a little extreme with it."

The show includes the monster trucks, tuff truck competition and destruction derby, which Quercio said is plenty of show in itself. Each monster truck driver is paid a $5,000 appearance fee. The trucks weigh about 10,000 pounds and have about as much horsepower as an alcohol-powered funny car. The tires stand about 7-feet high and weigh about 1,000 pounds each.

Scheduled to appear are Bear Foot, Paddy Wagon, Captain Insano from Idaho, Arachnophobia from Florida and Monster Patrol from Chicago.

"This show goes rain or shine," Quercio said. "We'd like a good turnout so we can make it an annual event. It all depends on the folks."

Tickets are $12 in advance and are available at area Les Schwab Tire Centers or ticketmaster.com. Admission includes a pit party at 6 p.m. to meet the drivers and get autographs prior to the 7:30 p.m. show. Children 4-younger are free.

IF YOU GO

What: Monster Truck Show

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, July 26

Where: Champion Motor Speedway, 1210 Race Track Road (off Bigelow)

Cost: $12; 4-younger free, tickets at Les Schwab Tire Center

Call: 267-0505