Milwaukee Thunder Nationals
Saturday Night
This would be another adventurous night to add to my long list of crazy monster truck trips but I was more than looking forward to it. I hit the road back to Milwaukee at about 2:30 to get back to the arena a little bit before the Pit Party. After circling the confusing one-way streets around the building several times, I finally found a quick place to park and get inside, it was a blustery 12 degrees outside. I stumbled into the entrance and there weren't many people around including Dave Rappach who had stepped out to find lunch. I found Steve and mingled around with him for a while and he told me the extent of the damages on Rap Attack and that Godzilla had the frame fixed but there were other problems developing with it. All the drivers except Steve Hearly who was off working on his truck were at the driver's meeting. Dave went and found me a Rap Attack crew shirt and I threw it on just as the gates were opened for the Pit Party.
I roamed about the Pit Party for a while then finally got the chance to meet and talk with Brian Braunschweig aka SunkDuck for us Monster Mayhem people. Brian was down from Minneapolis to be on Track Crew (they do the World Finals show too) and also do display with the R/C Monster Crew. They had a bunch of R/C trucks on display plus a few of Brian's custom truck creations.
Brian is in the black shirt with Steve to his left.
The rest of the Pit Party time I was basically just standing around with Steve killing time and talkin' about whatever. I got to talk with Trey Meyers, the Black Stallion crew chief, briefly as well whom I hadn't seen since May in Farmington. We chatted for a few minutes but then he had to get to work as the trucks were moving to their pit spots and work needed to be done on Black Stallion. That wasn't the only truck that needed work as Steve Hearly and his crew were still thrashing on the steering pump. They'd been working nearly the whole day to get it fixed and still couldn't get it to work on both sets of wheels. Rappach was just doing some fine tuning and as he said "I just can't sit here, I got to do something" and went to work pounding shock brackets back flat and into place. Vaters and his crew were working on the transmission that had started to go away at the end of last night. Rolling Thunder and Full Boar seemed to be safe as far as anything needed to be fixed. The clock ticked away and with showtime upon us, trucks were still thrashing.
My first priority was to attend to anything Dave needed with Rap Attack but I was also able to still take pictures from down in the pits. I missed out on some shots if I just simply couldn't get an angle from where I was or if the track crew thought I was "in an unsafe location." But Steve Maver backed me up once again with some great pictures. What action does Saturday night hold? Let's find out!
Wheelie Contest
Full Boar-- Ed got the first crack at the cars just like Friday and was looking to stand it up on its end again. He lined up in the right lane for his hit and hit the gas hard to the cars and then the truck just stopped, resting on the first car. The transmission that had been replaced last night had just blew apart into a dozen pieces! A very ominous start to the show. Full Boar would be pushed off the cars with a loader and then rolled into the pit by track crew. Ed was very upset but vowed to get the truck back for competition later in the night.
Godzilla-- Steve Hearly had the truck put back together enough where he was going to be able to run and wasn't about to disappoint the home state crowd. Hearly pulled into the left lane for his jump, squared the truck up and then mashed Godzilla into the cars getting a huge wheelstand and walked the truck all the way across and off the cars! Awesome jump that sent the crowd crazy and a perfect score from the judges as well as from me. Score: 10.
Rolling Thunder-- Last night in Racing, Jim Bendzick was putting some major league air underneath Rolling Thunder and wanted to put some more on display for the wheelie contest. Bendzick chose the right lane for his jump and got a good run towards the cars but the truck just didn't get up in the air as he wanted. An alright jump but nothing stand out. Score: 4.
Rap Attack-- With trucks already falling victim to breakage, I had my fingers crossed that Rap Attack wouldn't be the next on the list. Dave lined up the cars a bit at an angle and that caused for a crossed up jump and not too much air. A good jump but the rear wheels just would not get off the ground. Score: 3.
After the truck landed, Dave was having a very hard time trying to get the truck to move correctly as the rear wheels were not centering. So much for the crossing of fingers. After messing with it for a minute, he finally got the tires to line up enough to get him back into the pits. Dave hopped out and didn't know what the problem was but went to work to fix it. After tightening a few screws and pushing some wires it was looking fine.
Black Stallion-- Vaters was the crowd vote on Friday and was looking to pull off a wheelstand for the win again. Vaters picked the right lane and hit them with good momentum and pulled up a very nice wheelstand and tried to ride it out but the front end dropped too soon. Good jump but not enough to de-throne Godzilla. Score: 8.
In the pits, people were running every which way trying to get trucks fixed. There was an army of people at Full Boar doing the transmission swap, Vaters and Trey were messing with the transmission more as well as the rear shocks and Steve Hearly and his crewman were still fighting the steering pump. The Donut Contest was next and the winner from Friday night, Full Boar, and the current wheelie contest winner, Godzilla, would not be able to compete in it due to breakage.
Donut Contest
Rolling Thunder-- Same problems as Friday night in which the truck would not stay on the ground and kept wanting to bounce. I had people in the way and couldn't get much of a shot that's why there isn't one. Score: 1.
Rap Attack-- With the steering all figured out, Rappach had a clear shot of taking the win in this event. He used as much speed as possible and gave the donuts several tries but didn't come away with more than 1 at a time. The tires would rock up and then slam to the ground, scorching the tires. A good effort and I thought he did pretty well considering. Score: 6.
Black Stallion-- Vaters and his team took a different approach to this contest. They filled the rear shock pressure all the way up to stick the nose to the ground more hoping that would make the truck spin better. Good plan and I figured it was a good idea too, but the result wasn't anything great. Vaters did get a donut or two off but I didn't see it as anything better than Rap Attack did. Score: 7. He was voted the crowd winner though.
Rap Attack was fine after his run but it was back to work on Black Stallion and people were still thrashing on Godzilla and Full Boar. Freestyle was up next and every truck was ready to run in some capacity except Full Boar as it was still a question as whether the transmission would be back in place in time to run.
FREESTYLE
Godzilla-- The steering problems continued to plague Godzilla but Hearly was going to give it his best shot with rear wheel steering only. His pit spot was right in front of the left lane of cars so Steve just tore out of the pits and smashed into the cars and pulled another huge wheel standing jump much like earlier in the night. He stayed straight over the cars and once he landed the truck didn't go anywhere. I thought he had broken but then Godzilla starts moving in reverse. A USHRA track crew guy shoved me out of the way thinking I was too close for some reason (uhhh sure) right as Hearly blasts Godzilla in reverse over the cars the opposite direction! Awesome reverser that landed the truck nicely back into his pit stall. Good innovation for sure. Score: 5.
Rolling Thunder-- Jim Bendzick had built up momentum all Friday night and now it was time to let it loose. Jim tore onto the track and hit anything and everything and did it very fast. He started at the left lane with a good jump nearly clearing the cars then was hard on the gas to get back and go at it again. Another good jump off the right side this time and getting closer to clearing the cars. Back to the left side with a big air shot barely catching the tires on the last car but Jim was already cranking the truck back to the start for more hits. He blasted down the side and swung the truck back to the left side perfectly and launched over the five cars totally clearing them. He thundered down on the concrete and pulled up a slap wheelie! Bendzick rode it out for as far as he could before getting near to the wall. The crowd went wild especially the Rolling Thunder cheering section up where I was sitting last night along with Jim's wife Lynn who was cheering her husband on down by me. Bendzick roared down for one more hit on the right side to finish out the run and saluted the crowd to a big ovation. About as all out you can go on the Thunder Nationals track and Bendzick stuck every move. Perfect score from everyone! Score: 10!
Rap Attack-- Rappach was going to have to really attack the track to impress the judges after the run laid down by Rolling Thunder. Rappach didn't hesitate doing so and blasted a crossed up jump off the left set to open his run. He was trying to keep the pace up to get in as many hits as possible and had Rap Attack back to the cars in no time. A great hit in the right lane nearly clearing the set getting all four off the ground. Rappach motored on back to the left side and didn't even bother lining the truck up and just hit it how it was pointed and jumped really crossed up but it looked awesome. Rappach spun the truck around and popped the truck up onto the left lane cars going the opposite direction and rolled across them lining up his reverse jump. Rappach took his time making sure Rap Attack was lined up just right and then nailed the truck into reverse and sailed all the way over the cars just barely grazing the front tires on the last car. Awesome backwards leap to end the run. Score: 8.
While trying to get back to the pits, the steering started acting up again on Rap Attack. Dave fumbled around with it and tried to get the rear wheels to cooperate. He jumped out and told me go find the chargers and with my camera dangling around my neck I and threw the chargers by the truck while Dave found some extension cords. I smartened up and decided to lose the camera so I could actually get stuff done. I had it all hooked up just as Black Stallion was hitting the track so I grabbed the camera back.
Black Stallion-- Vaters' trademark reverse jump has already been used twice in freestyle and in fine fashion. He would have to bust out something a little bit extra if he hoped to take the win this night. Vaters started strong with some big leaps over the right set of cars, getting the front end up in the air and just letting the rear cruise along low. Vaters lined up the left side cars and unleashed a massive jump, easily clearing the entire set and then some. He turned the truck around and crawled across them setting him his reverse jump. The bar was already raised but when is Vaters not up for a challenge! Mike stabbed the gas in reverse and sent Black Stallion flyin' hard and fast over the cars with a perfect reverse jump clearing the cars with ease. The crowd ate that up and Black Stallion earned a 30 from the judges but my Score: 9.
Full Boar-- All the time possible had been allowed for Ed Eckert and crew to get the new transmission in Full Boar and it was right down to the wire but Full Boar would run in Freestyle! Eckert took on the cars a few times getting some alright jump but he was out matched several times in the big air department. But he was going to deliver on what the crowd wanted to see and that was some donuts! Ed cut Full Boar loose on the open concrete and ripped off a huge display of tire smoking donuts much to everyone's delight. Another shot at the cars and that was it. Best donuts of the night by far plus some ok jumps and Ed was also given a 30 score by the judges. But I guess I don't agree. Score: 6.
Rolling Thunder, Full Boar and Black Stallion went to a cheer off
for the Freestyle win and it was pretty close between Thunder and Boar but it was Full
Boar who got the crowd vote. Do I agree? Ehhh...I don't know. All three runs were great
and had unique moves but the momentum Bendzick had and the speed he put into that run sold
it for me. Rolling Thunder takes Freestyle in my books.
During intermission, crews were back to work on Black Stallion's transmission and
still with Godzilla's steering pump. Rap Attack didn't need any mechanical attention just
some more fuel which Dave dragged in from the freezing cold. He fueled Rap Attack up then
relaxed for awhile as did I. But no rest here, its time to go Racing!!
Racing Round 1
Rap Attack vs. Rolling Thunder-- Lane choice went to Bendzick in Rolling Thunder and he chose the left lane. Could Bendzick break the streak of losses in the left lane? Both trucks staged and were ready on the line. The light hit green and the throttles hit the floor! Nearly even off the line and as they hit the cars the left lane air shots continued as Rolling Thunder went up and Rap Attack went straight out and stayed low to take the win. Even with different cars, the lanes are again playing favorites. Winner: Rap Attack.
Godzilla vs. Black Stallion-- Vaters took the faster right lane and put the still steering trouble plagued Godzilla in the left lane. But Godzilla has run very strong and there's no need for steering on a Thunder Nationals race. On the green, Vaters rocketed off the line ahead of Godzilla and held the lead across the cars while Godzilla was going airborne again in the other lane. Winner: Black Stallion.
Racing Round 2
Godzilla vs. Full Boar-- Full Boar got the BYE into Round 2 per being the Freestyle winner and would take on the Fast Loser, Godzilla. Eckert used his lane choice and stuck Godzilla back over in the left lane. Eckert was all fired up after the Freestyle win and kept it flowing for racing and drilled Hearly on the line. Ed kept it fast and low over the cars while Zilla was flyin' high again. Winner: Full Boar. Big props to Steve Hearly for the effort he displayed in each event despite fighting his truck all night.
Rap Attack vs. Black Stallion-- Vaters right lane, Rappach left lane. The mind games from last nights Final round came back to play here. Rappach was persistent in finding a good line to the cars. Vaters was restless as well over in the right lane. Rappach had the truck positioned as far to the left as he could to try and get a lower shot at the cars. They both were finally set and pulled to stage with the motors rev'd way up. The light went green and Rappach bolted off the line in a hurry hitting the cars just ahead of Black Stallion. Rappach got crossed up in the air again and lost ground because of it allowing Vaters who was staying low and quick in the right lane to pull just ahead and nip Rap Attack by half a tire at the line. Winner: Black Stallion.
I was unsure who had won until I saw the replay up on the screen. Dave didn't know who had won either and when he pulled into the pits jumped out and was asking who won and was more than unhappy when I said Black Stallion. Rappach thought he had got him and heck I did too at first but he was beat at the finish. Rap Attack ran hard but just fell short.
FINALS
Black Stallion vs. Full Boar-- Vaters would take the right lane but the much heavier Full Boar would be in the left lane. Would that weight work as an advantage to keep the truck lower? The crowd was pretty split on who they wanted to win and it was time to settle it on the track. Light hit green and Stallion blasted off the line and flew over the cars with a perfect, fast and low jump. Eckert was behind from the start but put in a great leap and did stay much lower over the cars and made it close at the end but it was Black Stallion coming away with the victory. Winner: Black Stallion.
After his win, Vaters let loose with a bonus freestyle and was attacking the cars very quickly several times then set up for another reverse jump! He lined up on the left set and blasted across the cars with his second successful reverse leap of the night. Great way to close out the show.
The show was over but the work was only beginning. Dave Rappach was
headed up to the concourse to sign autographs and he looked to me and said "You know
how to change the tires?" I looked back at him, paused and said "SURE DO!"
Yes, I do know how and I have helped but never done it all by myself. This would be an
adventure. I grabbed Dave's impactor (the device used to remove the bolts from the wheels)
and went to work on the rear wheels. It only took me a few seconds to realize something
wasn't right. The bit on the end of the impactor would not stay on. I found Dave and asked
him and he said it was broke and I would just have to work around it. Alrighty, so I tried
again and wasn't getting too far. I didn't want to look like I had no idea what I was
doing and wanted to get this done before Dave came back.
I gave it another shot and started flyin' bolts off left and right. I got 6 off the
left rear wheel but the last two just wouldn't budge. I was getting frustrated but
decided to just move on to the other tire and come back to it. All eight on that one flew
off in no time so I felt alot better. I went back to the other side and after some
struggling and Steve Maver taunting and making fun of me from the stands I was able to get
the last two off. I knocked the left tire off by myself but had to borrow some help from
Steve Hearly's crew man to get the right side off. The transport tires went on without a
hitch and I lowered the jack on the rear and moved to the front. Now that doesn't sound
like much but this was wearing me out already and I was starting to question just what in
the heck I was doing down here.
The front wheels were not going to be nice to me. I spun off about half the bolts on
each side and the rest were just going to not budge. After stopping to calm down to give
it another shot, a bunch of them started coming off finally. I got the right front off and
got the last bolts off the left which gave me lots of relief. But that left front was not
coming off the axle. I had it jacked to the sky and it still wasn't budging. Steve came
over and was trying to knock it off with me but neither of us could get it moving and it
didn't help slipping all over the floor on fluids either.
Dave showed back up on the floor and I said I got three off but pointed to the last
one and said "no idea why it won't come off." Dave walked past the tire and just
smiled and looked at me: "The bottom bolt is still on." #@#$*@(#$!!!!!!
I was upset at myself for not seeing it but relieved Dave took it all in stride. He
lowered the jack down and spun off the last bolt then we knocked the tire off. I threw the
last transport tires on while Dave went to clean up stuff. After what seemed like an
eternity and after struggling several times, I was finally finished taking the tires of
Rap Attack.
Steve was pretty much done with his track cleaning as well and we got Steve Hearly's daughter to take this shot of the two hardest working guys in Milwaukee
Dave came back to move Rap Attack outside and I jumped on his 6x6
quad and followed him out to the hauler. He got Rap Attack loaded in and secured
everything down right about 12:30am. Dave thanked me for the help but I was quick to
return it for allowing me even the shot to help out. He entrusted me, a 19yr old guy he'd
never met before, with a heck of a lot and I hope I didn't let him down and would love the
chance to get more experience and do it all again.
I hit the road at 12:45am and had two hours of driving ahead of me then 4+ hours back
to school on Sunday. All for the love of the sport!
Big thanks to Dave Rappach of course, Mike McFarlin, Mike and Steve Maver and the Godzilla crew man whose name I never got. Thank you all very much for helping to make this weekend one to remember.