Monster truck shows are thrilling events that feature larger-than-life specially modified trucks competing in intense competitions and performing jaw-dropping stunts. Fans are drawn to monster truck shows for the deafening roar of massive engines, the smell of diesel and burning rubber, and the adrenaline rush of watching 10,000 pound vehicles fly through the air and crush smaller cars underneath their massive tires.
Typical Length of a Monster Truck Show
Most monster truck shows last between 2-3 hours total. This includes a pre-show pit party, the main monster truck performances, and any additional entertainment. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect from a typical monster truck event:
- Pit Party (1 hour): Fans can get up close to the trucks during the pre-show pit party. Drivers are available for autographs and photos, and you can see the monster trucks on display before the show. Pit parties are a chance to see the incredible size and power of these vehicles up close.
- Opening Ceremony (15 minutes): The show will begin with introductions of all the competing trucks and drivers. This often involves pyrotechnics and the trucks entering the arena one at a time.
- Truck Competitions (1.5 hours): The main event is the monster truck competitions, consisting of racing, donut contests, obstacle course challenges, and freestyle stunt driving. Fans will see non-stop action as the trucks perform gravity-defying jumps, race head-to-head, and crush obstacles beneath their tires.
- Intermission (15 minutes): Most shows include a short 15 minute intermission halfway through the competitions. This gives fans a chance to get refreshments and use the restroom.
- More Competitions (1 hour): After the intermission, the truck competitions will continue with more racing and freestyle action. The event will conclude with a final championship freestyle performance.
So in total, a typical monster truck event lasts between 2-3 hours from the start of the pit party to the end of the competition. The main truck performances take up about 2.5 hours of this time. The exact schedule may vary slightly between different shows.
Factors That Affect Monster Truck Show Length
There are a few key factors that will determine the total length of a particular monster truck event:
- Number of Competing Trucks – The more monster trucks entered into the competition, the longer the event will need to be to accommodate them. Major national events might feature 8-12 competing trucks, while a small local show may only have 3-4 trucks.
- Racing Brackets – During racing competitions, trucks compete in head-to-head brackets like a tournament. The number of racing rounds needed depends on how many trucks are competing. More trucks mean more racing action, and a longer show.
- Amount of Freestyle Performances – Each freestyle performance where a truck independently performs jaw-dropping stunts lasts 3-5 minutes. The number of freestyle rounds given to each truck impacts the total show length.
- Special Attractions – Some shows add length by incorporating special entertainment like jet truck racing, motocross, or even circus acts during intermission or between competitions.
- Venue Curfew – The event venue may have a strict curfew time by which the show must conclude, which limits how long the performances can go.
Shows at huge arenas with a dozen competing trucks and lots of extra entertainment will run longer, up to 3 hours total. Smaller local shows may wrap up in just 2 hours. Promoters will adjust the schedule of competitions and attractions to fill the allotted time.
Run Time of TV Broadcast Monster Truck Events
For fans watching monster truck events broadcast on television rather than seeing them live, the run time is notably shorter but still packed with non-stop action:
- A one hour TV broadcast will feature roughly 40-45 minutes of truck competitions edited together, along with commercial breaks.
- A two hour television broadcast of a major event like Monster Jam World Finals may have 90 minutes of monster truck action between commercials.
- Pay-per-view events are three hours with 2-2.5 hours of main competition coverage.
TV broadcasts condense and edit the competitions to showcase more on-track action and less downtime. Fans still get to witness all the biggest moments just in a tighter package. Monster truck television producers have it down to a science to fit the most excitement from a 2-3 hour live show into a 1-3 hour broadcast.
Why Monster Truck Shows Are Typically Shorter Than Other Live Events
At just 2-3 hours total, monster truck events are considered to be on the shorter side for live motorsports and entertainment shows. Here are some key reasons why monster trucking runs on the shorter side compared to other live events:
- Intense Action – These trucks pack a ton of intense racing, stunts, crashes and explosions into a short time. It’s pedal to the metal action from start to finish. Drawing it out into a longer show risks boring fans.
- Expense of Trucks – Operational costs to run these 10,000 pound trucks are extremely high. The promoters want to maximize profit, so shows are kept short to limit costs like truck fuel and maintenance.
- Loud Noise – The roaring noise of high-horsepower truck engines in an enclosed arena can reach unsafe sound levels. Promoters face noise ordinances and hearing safety concerns with longer shows.
NASCAR races, NFL games, and concerts can safely last 3+ hours. Monster truck shows compress all the excitement into a shorter 2-3 hour package to give fans a intensity-packed experience while being conscious of logistical factors. Fans leave these shows feeling like they just witnessed a high-thrill demolition derby rather than sitting through a long drawn out event.
Changes to Show Length Over the Years
Although 2-3 hours is the standard today, monster truck show lengths have evolved with the growth of the sport:
- In the 1980s when monster trucks were new, most shows were less than 2 hours total.
- As the sport gained popularity in the 1990s and competition multiplied, shows expanded to 2.5-3 hours to allow for more racing and freestyle.
- In the 2000s with advanced television production, many events shortened slightly for better TV broadcasts.
- Today with fast-paced hometown shows and huge national tours, the 2-3 hour standard balances live and TV scheduling.
While lengths have adjusted, monster truck shows have remained short, fast-paced events since their inception. Promoters have become experts at maximizing excitement within tight time frames. This helps explain why these shows continue selling out arenas after over 30 years.
Conclusion
Monster truck shows offer fans an unforgettable experience packed with intense competition, jaw-dropping stunts, and ear-splitting truck power. To deliver maximum high-octane entertainment value within operational limitations, these shows run 2-3 hours total, with about 2-2.5 hours dedicated to the main monster truck performances. Promoters condense the action into this compact timeframe to provide spectators with a non-stop adrenaline rush. After 30+ years of evolution in the sport, this 2-3 hour timeframe has become the standard that delivers the perfect dose of monster truck mayhem.