2010 NewsINTRODUCING AMBER WALKER, THE NEW MS. BIGFOOT!
“I am very excited to be joining Team BIGFOOT!” said a beaming Walker. Although her name may be unfamiliar to some monster truck fans, her resume doesn’t disappoint. From 2001 through 2006 Walker spent her time as a driver and crew member for a large monster truck team based out of northern Indiana, campaigning trucks like Boogey Van and Monster Patrol at various events across North America. Interestingly enough, Amber will find some familiar faces at Team BIGFOOT, including Rodney Tweedy and Larry Swim, who both happen to be alumni of the same team for which Amber worked. “I am so very fortunate to be back working with some old colleagues and friends, as well as making new ones along the way,” stated Walker. She added that “this opportunity is a wonderful chance for me to get back to doing what I love, and doing it for the best team around.” “We are very excited to have Amber on board to help re-launch the Ms. BIGFOOT name and identity,” said BIGFOOT 4x4 Inc. President Ann Trent. “I think it is going to be a great program on a number of levels, not the least of which encouraging our female fan base to get more involved. They deserve to have a BIGFOOT to root for as well!” Trent no doubt has a heartfelt connection to the Ms. BIGFOOT legacy, as her mother, Marilyn Chandler (wife of BIGFOOT creator Bob Chandler), debuted the original Ms. BIGFOOT in the mid 1980’s to great fanfare, along the way becoming the first female monster truck driver. “I think all of the guys will be gunning for her on-track at the events Ms. BIGFOOT will be competing at, but I feel she [Amber] will do just fine. Aside from her talent behind the wheel, her understanding of the mechanical side of the trucks and the awesome crew standing behind her at BIGFOOT will help propel her toward victory lane.” “All in all, this is really just a great honor to be asked to drive a BIGFOOT truck, especially carrying on the tradition of the Ms. BIGFOOT name,” said Walker. “I’ve loved this sport and its fans for a long time now, and I’m ready to make some new ones behind the wheel of Ms. BIGFOOT. I’m ready to show the boys that I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty and put the pedal to the metal!” Click picture for full-size version.Amber and Ms. BIGFOOT are currently scheduled to appear at eight events from May through September, including stops on the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals tour (Springfield, MO; Lima, OH; Bloomsburg, PA: Rochester, MN; and Indianapolis, IN), the BIGFOOT 4X4/Midwest Four Wheel Drive Open House in June, and non-points events in West Valley, UT and Las Vegas, NV. For more details on the above listed events and the entire BIGFOOT appearance schedule, fans can visit Bigfoot4x4.com/Events. In addition, keep your eyes peeled for some NEW specially-designed Ms. BIGFOOT women’s t-shirts, hats, koozies, and posters! BIGFOOT CREATOR BOB CHANDLER TO ACT AS GRAND MARSHAL FOR NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS
The 30th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals will feature top teams and drivers in several classes qualifying and competing in thrilling side-by-side drag racing. Classes in competition include Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Cars, Pro-Mod, Pro-Stock Motorcycle, and Pro-Stock (featuring Summit Racing Equipment-backed drivers Jason Line and Greg Anderson). All of the great action will take place at the legendary Atlanta Dragway, just outside of Atlanta. Although he is no doubt more accustomed to the dirt environs of monster truck competition, Chandler is undoubtedly looking forward to the event. “As wild as monster truck racing has become over the last two decades, the basic element of side-by-side drag racing is still there; most of us are drag racers at heart.” He went on to explain that “There is nothing quite like the immediacy of seeing two drivers and two vehicles settle things in just a few lightning quick seconds.” Chandler is credited as being the father of the monster truck industry, as his personal pickup truck eventually became BIGFOOT #1, the world’s first monster truck, 35 years ago. Always one to help push his sport forward, Chandler has helped spearhead a number of advancements in monster truck safety, performance, and competition. Since monster trucks began competing for points championships in 1988, Chandler’s BIGFOOT team, which now has a total of nine vehicles including five race trucks, has amassed 25 National Championships. The BIGFOOT team counts Summit Racing Equipment among their major sponsors, a relationship that has served both organizations quite well. “I’m very excited to nose around the pits and to meet all of the great fans that will be attending the race,” said Chandler. “What a great honor it is to be asked by the NHRA and Summit Racing to be the Grand Marshal for a national event. It truly is a privilege.” Click picture for full-size version.
Fans can visit our Team BIGFOOT page for more information on all the BIGFOOT monster trucks and Bob Chandler, including a live event schedule, truck and driver biographies (including Chandler’s), photos, videos, and much more. BIGFOOT announces partnership with Champion System!
February 24, 2010 - (St. Louis, MO) Custom motorsports apparel manufacturer Champion System, and BIGFOOT, The Original Monster Truck®, have announced a partnership through 2012, making Champion System the “Official Crew Uniform of BIGFOOT”.
Eric Cody, Motorsports Division Director for Champion System was equally ecstatic. “Since first taking the world by storm in the early 1980’s, BIGFOOT has achieved unparalleled success in the sport of monster truck racing. We [Champion System] always look to partner with companies that are leaders in their sport and have quality operations. Choosing Team BIGFOOT was a no-brainer.” Cody went on to explain that “BIGFOOT’s rich history and tradition is something we are very proud to now be a part of. 35 years ago they almost single-handedly created an entire motorsport, and their team has been consummate professionals from the start. By partnering with Champion System for their uniform needs, I think they’ll be raising the bar even higher, and we are proud to be right there with them.” “Champion System has just been fantastic to work with,” said BIGFOOT Marketing Specialist Kyle Doyle. “Champion System’s downloadable shirt templates made it easy for our staff to lay out a design that everyone could agree on. That, coupled with their low minimums and unlimited color selection at no extra charge makes them the obvious choice.” Team BIGFOOT is celebrating their 35th Anniversary in 2010, a landmark that is unrivaled in the sport of monster truck racing. The team, which currently consists of BIGFOOT #1 (The Original Monster Truck), BIGFOOT #5 (the world’s tallest and heaviest pickup truck), five competition monster trucks and two static-display monster trucks will have accumulated over 700 appearance days at monster truck events, trade shows, drag races, car shows, and Firestone events over the course of the year. To learn more about Champion System and their extensive line of custom apparel for the motorsports world, including their super-affordable “CS-5” five-shirt minimum, check them out online at www.champ-sys.com. BIGFOOT ULTIMATE DISPLAY PACKAGE WINNER ANNOUNCED!(St. Louis, MO) While most folks have yet to figure out their Memorial Day plans, Jonathan Northcutt and his staff at Madill Motor Sales in the tiny town of Madill, OK have an idea of what their Memorial Day weekend will entail. And, if nothing else, they definitely know they need to make some room…a LOT of room!
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“This event is huge by anyone’s standards, both literally and figuratively” said Trent. “This is a very exciting stop for our team on our 35th Anniversary tour, and I think this will be a really great event for Madill as well!”
Northcutt echoed those sentiments: “I really think we are going to have a great crowd over the course of the weekend. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the folks at BIGFOOT giving us the chance to host such an awesome event!” So what part of the event is Northcutt most excited about?
“I’m ready for the car crushing!”
Be sure to mark your calendars and keep an eye right here for more details as they become available!
February 8, 2010 - Be sure to make a bid on this Bad Boy I BIGFOOT tailgate, autographed by driver Larry Swim! Larry and the Bad Boy BIGFOOT (BIGFOOT #14) won the 2009 Checkered Flag Productions Points Championship while using this tailgate. As you can tell, it has been wrecked multiple times, from Larry standing the truck up on it's tailgate! To see the listing CLICK HERE.
When you think of longevity and dedication in the monster truck industry, it is hard not to think of the BIGFOOT team as a whole. But within the organization, few peoples’ record of service better represents those two qualities more than that of Ron Bachmann, driver of BIGFOOT #12.
Bachmann,
known affectionately by his teammates and peers as “Lurch” due to his
towering stance, has spent a remarkable 25 years at BIGFOOT performing
just about every task imaginable, and traveling to a list of places that
would make a National Geographic editor’s head spin.
In his past life, the 48-year old Jerseyville, IL resident was a bouncer at a night club, a job the former Nebraska Cornhusker lineman was well-suited for. But when the opportunity arose to work for BIGFOOT in the then-new monster truck industry, Bachmann made the move. “It was something new at the time, and it looked pretty fun,” he explained. “I literally walked into Midwest Four Wheel Drive (Home of BIGFOOT) one day, and asked to speak to Bob Chandler. Sure enough, he came up to the storefront to talk to me. I told him I’d like to try working for him, and the rest is history.”
With 25 years of experience traveling with the world’s best-known fleet of monster trucks, Bachmann has met his share of fans, both at home and abroad. His outgoing nature and fan-friendly demeanor make him the ideal employee to operate the BIGFOOT #12 static display truck. That fact, combined with his experience racing BIGFOOT trucks in the past and working in the shop, gives him the ability to talk shop with the best of them. “One of the best parts of working at BIGFOOT is all the great people you meet,” said Bachmann. He added that “Working for the Chandler family for so long has made them feel like family to me, and that is definitely one of my favorite parts of being here.”
That statement is echoed by BIGFOOT President Ann Trent, the eldest daughter of BIGFOOT creators Bob & Marilyn Chandler. “I always like to say that Ronnie is a big part of the family. My siblings and I have literally grown up with him; simply put, he’s a fixture around here and we are so happy to have him with us!”
After years of traveling the globe (literally) with BIGFOOT, including appearances in Japan and the UK, Bachmann still enjoys returning to his small-town home in IL, particularly to go four-wheeling and hunting. Bachmann recalls his trips to Japan, where the local population was quite fascinated by his height and size. “At one point, they tried to talk me into becoming a sumo wrestler. But I don’t think that’s quite my cup of tea.”
When asked to recall some of his fondest memories of traveling with BIGFOOT, some come quicker than others for Bachmann. “Well, I don’t remember the first time I drove a BIGFOOT truck over cars, that was back in the caveman days!” he chuckles. “But I’ll never forget Bonnie B.’s 7-layer chocolate cake, out in Gloucester, VA. Now that was some good stuff!”
RON BACHMANN Quick Facts:
Driver of BIGFOOT #12
Age: 48
Hometown: Jerseyville, IL
Years at BIGFOOT: 25
Years in Monster Trucks: 25
Ron's Driver Profile Page - CLICK HERE.
Ron's Anniversary News Story - CLICK HERE.
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January 5, 2009 - More BIG news has been released by the boys and girls at BIGFOOT® 4x4 Inc. in St. Louis this week that is sure to have girls everywhere revving their engines with excitement. As part of their 35th Anniversary celebration, Team BIGFOOT (who brought you BIGFOOT #1, The Original Monster Truck®) are rolling out a modern-day replica of their famed "Ms. BIGFOOT" truck, which originally debuted in the mid-1980's. The truck features a more lady-like graphics package, and will make its competition debut on May 1st in Springfield, MO at the 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals. As one might expect, the 1500hp race truck will be piloted by a female driver; however, the BIGFOOT camp is staying tight-lipped about who their driver (or drivers) will be for the truck's schedule. For more information on the BIGFOOT team, including their 2010 schedule of events, visit them at Bigfoot4x4.com/Events.
BIGFOOT would like thank all of our sponsors for their continued support.
For a complete list of Team BIGFOOT's Sponsors, CLICK HERE.
"BIGFOOT"®, "Snake Bite"® and
"The Original Monster Truck"®
are all registered trademarks of BIGFOOT 4x4, Inc.,
St. Louis, Missouri USA
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March
11, 2010 - (St. Louis, MO) Following on the heels of the announcement
that 
March
8, 2010 - (St. Louis, MO) Race fans of all ages will be in for a treat
during the 30th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals
this May, as 
“We
are absolutely thrilled to have Champion System aboard as the official
crew uniform supplier for BIGFOOT,” said BIGFOOT 4x4 Inc. Vice President
Bob Trent. “The core values behind the BIGFOOT team are quality,
professionalism, and performance. It is no coincidence that our values
align perfectly with those of Champion System.” He added that “we
strive for a high level of professionalism with our events, from
performance and appearance of our truck to the appearance and capabilities
of our staff. Thanks to Champion System, we’ll be looking as
professional as ever.”
