MyBayCity Photos By Julie McCallum

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GRAVE DIGGER Makes Appearance In Saginaw

Monster Jam Delivers Big Names To The Dow Event Center

March 8, 2009
By: Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor

Feld Motor Sport's Monster Jam brought in Monster Truck Names as well as a monster audience at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw over the weekend!

It was a three show event -- one on Friday night and two on Saturday -- including the 'Built Ford Tough Pit Party' Saturday afternoon.

Monster Jam is one of the biggest, baddest motor sports in the world, and has quickly become one of the world's favorite family touring events, entertaining more then 4 million fans at more than 300 performances around the globe.

The Monster Trucks catch air up to 15-20 feet high in this arena and 30-40 feet high in larger arenas.

It's an electrifying and bone-chilling experience and when these drivers start their engines, you not only hear it, but feel it too!



(Above) The Monster Line Up Included, (L/R) DONKEY KONG, Driver: Frank Krmel, GRAVE DIGGER, Driver: Charlie Pauken, RAP ATTACK, Driver: Dave Rappach, TAZ, Driver: Adam Anderson, U.S. AIR FORCE, Driver: Damon Bradshaw.



(Above L/R) ROUND 1 - Taz and Rap Attack battle it out in the Monster Wheelie Competition.



(Above) Donkey Kong driver Frank Krmel said he races 35 to 38 weekends a year which equals out to approximately 100 shows a year. Krmel grew up just north of Detroit driving go-carts which probably got him started. Before the weekend's shows in Saginaw Krmel said his plan was to go big for freestyle and try not to get shafted by Grave Digger.

Krmel said, "My goals: GO BIG, JUMP HIGH, WIN!"



(Above) U.S. Air Force, goes big during the wheelie competition.



(Above) ADAM ANDERSON, is not only the driver of TAZ but also the son of Dennis Anderson, Grave Digger originator! The young Anderson has made a name for himself, developing his own image, own style, own fans and his own story. Adam admits that the Grave Digger team will always be a part of him.



(Above) Driver Damon Bradshaw during the donut competition.



(Above) Driver, Pauken , (Grave Digger) wins the donut competition. Pauken said to his fans, "You guys rock today!"



(Above/Below) Team Michigan of Quad Wars signs autographs, and goes on to win the 'quad wars'.





(Above) Grave Digger driver Charlie Pauken signs an autograph for Robin before the first show on Saturday in the pits.



(Above Left) Driver of Rap Attack, Dave Rappach takes time to talk to a young fan. (Above Right) U.S. Air Force driver Damon Bradshaw signs a 2009 official souvenir yearbook.



Rappach (Rap Attack) said, "It's gonna be even crazier today and tonight, my goal is to Survive!"



(Above L/R) Freestyle BMX maybe wasn't as loud as the monster trucks, but got just as crazy.



(Above) Grave Digger took all the victories (Saturday Afternoon Event) in both racing and wheelie competition, until it came to the freestyle. Although he lost it to this flip, the crowd cheer was just as big. Freestyle victory went to TAZ, Adam Anderson.