Blue Thunder (truck)

Infobox Monstertruck
name=Blue Thunder

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image_caption=Blue Thunder at the 2007 Monster Jam in Stafford Springs, CT
owner=Live Nation and Ford
driver=Linsey Weenk, Tony Farrell, Norm Miller
style=2008 Ford F-350 Superduty
engine=540 ci Merlin, Blown & Injected
home_city= Detroit, MI
year_created=c.a.2000

Blue Thunder is a monster truck currently racing in the USHRA Monster Jam series. It is sponsored by the truck division of Ford Motor Company and Live Nation. The truck has several similarities with the monster truck Bigfoot. Some fans have seen Blue Thunder as a replacement for Bigfoot in the Monster Jam series. The truck has been moderately successful and has won several major events. However, it has not yet won a championship. Blue Thunder is used by Ford Motor Company for promotional purposes along with competition.

Truck history

Ford Motor Company teamed up with Live Nation to create a monster truck that would highlight its "Ford Tough" campaign. The body style would be based on the F series Ford pickup with the body style being changed with each model year. Patrick Chassis was chosen to construct the chassis for Blue Thunder [ [http://www.rcmonstermotorsports.com/realmonstertruckdetailpage.asp?TruckID=135] RC Monster Motorsports: Blue Thunder ] . The drive line consists of a Merlin 540ci blown & injected engine with a Dedenbear two speed automatic transmission. The tires on Blue Thunder are 66" Goodyear Terra Tires. Construction of two trucks with the "Blue Thunder" name were completed. The debut of Blue Thunder was January 6, 2001 at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas. Since its debut, it has placed in the finals every year. It performs at more than 20 events per year and is displayed at various promotional events. [ [http://www.monsterjamonline.com/trucks/Truck.2003-10-13.1720] Monster Jam Online: Blue Thunder ] It also has been licensed for various toys and for two upcoming video games [ [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=23738] Press release by "Game Press" 3/23/2007 "Activision Publishing Signs Exclusive Deal With Live Nation" ]

Drivers

* Lyle Hancock
* Norm Miller
* Bobby Zoellner
* George Balhan
* Tony Farrell
* Linsey Weenk
* Lee O'Donnell (on one occasion)

When the Blue Thunder debuted in 2001, Lyle Hancock was the primary driver. Through the years, Norm Miller, Bobby Zoellner, George Balhan and Tony Farrell have also been drivers. In July 2007, it was announced that Linsey Weenk of CSK Motorsports joined Live Nation Motorsports to drive Blue Thunder. He debuted at Monsters on Mainstreet in Kankakee, IL Speedway. [ [http://www.monsterjamonline.com/news/Article.2007-07-20.0834] MonsterJamOnline ]

Awards

Monster Jam World Finals

* 2001
#Driver: Lyle Hancock
# Racing: Lost to Goldberg in the Final
#Freestyle: N/A

* 2002

#Driver: Lyle Hancock
#Racing: Lost to Team Meents in First Round
#Freestyle: Scored 35 - Tied for Third

* 2003

#Driver: Lyle Hancock
#Racing: Lost to Madusa in First Round
#Freestyle: Scored 34 - Third

* 2004

#Driver: Tony Farrell
#Racing: Lost to Blacksmith in Second Round
#Freestyle: Scored 9 - Three Way Tie Last

* 2005

#Driver: Tony Farrell
#Racing: Lost to Bounty Hunter in Quarterfinals
#Freestyle: Scored 31 Tied First Place With Bounty Hunter. Scored 36 ,Second Place, In Tie breaker

*2006

#Driver: Tony Farrell
#Racing: Lost to Taz in Second Round
#Freestyle: Scored 24 - Sixth

*2007

#Driver: Tony Farrell
#Racing: Lost to Monster Mutt Second Round
#Freestyle: Scored 21 - Three way tie Tenth

*2008

#Driver: Linsey Weenk
#Racing: Lost to Bounty Hunter in second round
#Freestyle Scored 30 - Tied Grave Digger for fourth

Other monster trucks named Blue Thunder

There was also an earlier monster truck under the same name campaigned by Kevin Dabney and Kirk Dabney which had a Camaro body and raced in the 1980s ["Monstrous Trucks", Bill Holder, 1989 Gallery Books, page 73 (ISBN 0831760761)] . The two vehicles are unrelated although the name of the current truck may have been derived from the earlier vehicle.

ee also

*List of monster trucks

References