How to Become a Professional Monster Truck Driver

Competing in professional Monster Truck events is the dream of many aspiring drivers. Membership in the Monster Truck Racing Association (MTRA) is a major step towards achieving that goal. Some of the many aspects of the monster truck business are finding contact information, serving an apprenticeship, developing industry contacts, and investment of a substantial amount of money. If you would like to enter the professional touring circuit, you will need to be resourceful, inquisitive, and experienced in serving on other monster truck teams.

Things You'll Need

• Apprenticeship
• Monster Truck
• Mechanic Tools
• Directory of Monster Truck Owners & Drivers
• Driver and Monster Truck Insurance
• Calendar of Events
• Repairs & Maintenance
• School Tuition & Fees
• Semi-Trailer Expenses
• Age 25 or Older & Good Driving Record
• $100,000 + (for Monster Truck Ownership)
• Commercial Driver’s License

Instructions

Becoming a Monster Truck Driver

1. Racing in the monster truck field is a challenge and requires excellent driving and knowledge of the industry. There are approximately 500 monster trucks around the world but only about 100 trucks actually compete. The other 400 are used only in exhibitions such as car crushing. Although not a requirement, attending a school to learn the monster truck driving business is recommended. There are several monster truck schools which can be found on online.

2. Most monster truck drivers started out by working for other monster truck teams. Many race and exhibition teams require that prospective drivers have knowledge of mechanics, electrical and metal fabrication, and serve an apprenticeship (Bigfoot’s team requires a two-year apprenticeship). A directory of major monster truck teams can also be found online.

3. Working as an apprentice will allow you the opportunity to develop important industry contacts such as event promoters, drivers, and monster truck teams. It is recommended that you serve an apprentice or employee for at least one year before venturing out on your own. You can locate Monster truck job openings are available online.

4. It costs over $100,000 to purchase a monster truck. The engine alone can cost over $40,000. Costs of repairs, maintenance, insurance, transporting a monster truck, and other expenses are expensive as well. Monster trucks must be placed into a semi-trailer in order to transport. It can over three months to build a monster truck.

5. The major organization for monster truck drivers is the MTRA. Membership is not necessary but membership in the MTRA is usually necessary in order to successfully compete on a national level. There are several very informative websites covering monster trucks as a career. The MTRA also publishes a quarterly magazine to its members. A monster truck-related e-zine is published by the MTRA called “Monsters Monthly” available online.

Tips & Warnings

• You should regularly read monster truck trade publications to keep abreast of trends and news about the monster truck industry.

• It will be very difficult to enter the profession without membership in the MTRA.

Resources

• RacingSchools.com
• MonsterTrucks.net
• The Monster Truck FAQ