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Piles of dirt dumped inside PPG Paints Arena for Monster Jam
It’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it.
Sixty trucks carrying 1,200 yards of clay dirt were unloaded Thursday inside PPG Paints Arena in preparation for The Monster Jam Triple Threat. The competition is in town Friday through Sunday.
The show is produced by Feld Entertainment.
“It takes us about eight hours to bring it in and build it,” said Kenny Henry, track construction manager for Feld, a Florida-based company. “It is easier to remove — takes about five hours.”
Nate Smallwood | Tribune-Review Crews prepare PPG Paints Arena for the upcoming Monster Jam show on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.It takes precision to set up the course, he said. The ice for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ hockey rink remains underneath, covered by plywood. A base is built and the dirt from Pittsburgh-based Duncan Excavating is brought in. Monster Jam supplies the obstacles.
Nate Smallwood | Tribune-Review Crews prepare PPG Paints Arena for the upcoming Monster Jam show on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.“It’s such a tight area and they are bumping and banging and they can roll over, because at times they are going airborne,” Henry said. “So we make it as safe as possible.”
Safety officials in the stands have remote controls to shut off a vehicle if they detect a problem or unsafe situation. The athletes must complete training at Monster Jam University in order to compete. It’s a sport where men and women can compete against each other.
“People love it,” said Henry. “These drivers have a huge following. It’s also a family-friendly event where fans can attend pit parties and meet the drivers and see the trucks up close.”
The athletes will ride various vehicles throughout the event.
Some will do back flips with the trucks.
With all of our tours performing for #ThisRaceSavesLives weekend, we have plenty of action shots ? for your viewing pleasure! https://t.co/k2orXQ0nX5 #MonsterJam pic.twitter.com/zCMSBO03FN— Monster Jam (@MonsterJam) February 5, 2020
Tour coordinator Heather Lamere handles accommodations and other details for the competitors.
“They are amazing to watch,” she said. “It makes me happy to see all the fans who are happy when they come to Monster Jam.”
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