This may have been on your mind for quite some time, but now you’re really considering what it takes to become a monster truck driver. No matter what career path you’ve taken so far or thought about taking, monster truck driving requires some preparation and research.
If you’re serious about the monster truck industry, here are some tips on how you can get into the business as a driver:
Becoming a Driver
First and foremost, it’s vital for you to obtain your commercial driver’s license at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. This requires you to pass an exam, which then gives you a permit. Just like a regular driver’s license, you’ll have to pass a road skill and driving exam. This is the first step in the process of becoming a monster truck driver.
One thing to be aware of is that you should have some extensive knowledge of vehicles in general. The inner workings of an automobile can be difficult to understand, but when your goal is to drive monster trucks, it’s important to have the knowledge of how automobiles work.
Building a Monster Truck
The building process is the toughest of them all because without a monster truck, networking with professionals becomes much more difficult.
- Acquire the Truck Body – Obtaining a truck body is the first thing you should do. Full-sized trucks are usually recommended. You’ll need to make sure that the body has an engine and a transmission, even if they aren’t functional. It’s easier to reuse mounting brackets and other parts.
- Get the Parts You Need – Monster trucks need to have the right parts to allow them to be highly-intensive off-roading, jumping, crashing, and racing machines. SCS Gearbox is your best choice for gearboxes and more. From axles to torsion bars, we have everything you need to build your truck.
- Upgrading the Truck – You should be aware that you’ll need a lift and some new tires for your truck body to be turned into a monster truck. You’ll also need to upgrade the engine, transmission and transfer-case components for the heavy-duty use.
Getting Involved in the Monster Truck Industry
Networking plays a major role in every type of career field. Moving up in the industry requires you to attend events, get to know the professionals, and immerse yourself in the dedication of the monster truck industry. Attending the Monster Jamis a must if you want to be aware of how the monster truck industry works. Going the extra mile with local fairs, displays and other truck events will give you an edge. Getting your truck’s name out there within the industry will help you make a name for yourself.
Get a Gig with a Monster Truck Team
This is the best way to get yourself in the business. You may get lucky and land a gig with a major team, but that’s usually a pipe dream. Building your resume can be difficult, but if you apply yourself and put yourself into the best situations training with a team, you’ll set yourself up for success.
Monster Truck Driver Goal
You never want to stay stuck on a monster truck team, so it’s important to embrace every aspect of the business. This could even be working as a mechanic to learn everything there is to know about the mechanics of the trucks. Experience and knowledge will get you to the top. Apprenticing on a team is necessary before you can acquire your own and start driving on your own team.
Building a Team and Sponsorship
The next step of your long-term goal is building a team around you of experienced professionals and getting sponsored because it’s going to be quite a bit of money repairing and replacing a monster truck every year.
If you’re looking to get into building a monster truck, or you need parts for your truck, we recommend contacting SCS Gearbox at 419-483-7278 today!