MONSTER TRUCKS RETURN TO TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY ON JULY 13-14

FREESTYLE MX STARS ALSO VISIT THE TRACK IN PREP FOR X GAMES

by Brian Spaid

  July 6, 2002

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            FRANKLIN, PA …. Although the oval track will be silent on July 13-14, Tri-City Speedway will still roar with the sound of racing engines as Schwab’s Ford of Titusville, Pa., presents the return of the Monster Trucks to the Venango County motorsports venue.

This season, Co-Promoters Mike Graham and Roger Crick made the show even bigger as World of Wheels of Seneca, Pa., presents the FreestyleMX motorcycles and Fred Sibley’s wild Coors Beer Wagon Jet Truck will perform vehicle meltdowns. During the show, Dr. Pyro will also thrill the crowd with his crazy pyrotechnics.

            “Everyone had a blast last year with the Monster Trucks,” said Crick. “We enjoyed the show a lot, and many fans asked for their return. We thought it would be fun to add something for everyone with even more attractions.”

            Leading the Monster Truck contingent is the most popular behemoth, Bigfoot. Driven by well-known Monster Truck pilot Eric Tack of Butler, Pa., Bigfoot will invade Tri-City for the first time in the track’s history.  The Ford 4x4 Monster Truck will also be at Schwab’s Ford in Titusville, Pa., on Thursday July 11^th  from 3 to 8 p.m. and Friday July 12^th from 12 to 6 p.m.  Fans can earn a chance to win Bigfoot prizes at the popular Ford truck dealership. Among the prizes will be a free dinner with Tack.

            Other Monster Trucks slated to appear with Bigfoot are Holman’s Beast, Awesome Kong, Play’n for Keeps, Congo and Max Torch.

            ESPN’s X Games features acrobatic freestyle motocross racers in some of the wildest two-wheel action each year. Eight of the top FreestyleMX riders in the nation will be at Tri-City on July 13-14 to demonstrate the thrills and spills experienced by these daredevils as they prepare for the 2002 X Games to be held in Philadelphia on August 15-18.

Among the riders will be 2001 X Games Gold Medalist “Cowboy” Kenny Bartram of Stillwater, Okla.  Bartram currently leads the IFMA FreestyleMX point standings with 17 wins. In addition, Jeremy Carter will compete as he gets ready for his X Games return after suffering two broken legs in last year’s event. Other top FreestyleMX stars scheduled to compete at Tri-City will be Jesse Olson, who is sixth in the IFMA points, John and Robert Distler, Caleb Wyatt, Doug Parsons and Steve Elrod.  Recently, Wyatt accomplished a 360-degree backflip on his 250cc motorcycle to become the first FreestyleMX driver to perform the Holy Grail of stunts.

All of the FreestyleMX riders will be at World of Wheels on Saturday July 13^th to sign autographs and meet fans from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

            Joining the Monster Trucks and FreestyleMX riders will be “Airplane” Fred Sibley, who attracts a lot of attention when he fires up the 12,000 horsepower jet engine in his Coors Beer Wagon Jet Truck.  He will meltdown an unfortunate, disabled vehicle in a matter of seconds.  Sibley will be in action on both nights, and fans should be ready for a hot and loud display of awesome power from the jet engine.

Sprinkled throughout each event will be the pyrotechnics of Dr. Pyro and Cartwright Fireworks of Franklin, Pa.  Famous for his fireworks, Dr. Pyro is working on wild explosive tricks for this event.  The technical wizard always likes to test new and inventive pyrotechnics before an appreciative crowd.

            Each event starts with a pit party from 3 to 4 p.m. and the action starts at 6 p.m.  General admission tickets for the event are $16 for students and adults ages 13 and older, and $8 for children ages 4 to 12.  Ticket outlets include Schwab’s Ford, World of Wheels and Wear Else, which is located at the Clarion (Pa.) Mall.  The fast-selling ducats are also available at the track and will be sold at the door.

            For more information, please contact the track at (814) 676-1681 or the track office at (814) 473-4038.