The Hills Family of Mt Isa: 2010 – JUNE. “The Monster Trucks are in Town”

The first week of June saw “Monster Trucks Australia” came to Mount Isa on their “Tour of Destruction”. http://www.monstertrucksaustralia.com.au/home

They came with four monster trucks, Jet Van in an Awesome car melting showdown, Freestyle Motorcross and Motorcycle Stunt Acts, Crazy Crane Drop with a car dropped from 35 meters crash to the ground and some fireworks.

The Monster Trucks ‘performed’ in the Rodeo Ground = not much room to move – but it was still pretty exciting!

Outback Thunda – Cooper’s favourite – until it started up!

The Jet Van.

Scooby Doo – voted the Kids most favourite truck!

Raptors Revenge and Avenger – both from the USA

Emi & Cooper getting ready for the LOUD Monster Trucks!

Outback Thunda up close!

Going through the motions.

On the next turn Outback Thunda “lost it”

Over it goes!!

Oh dear!!

Hey Mate – you right?

Look at the little digger! Actually – it is a full sized bobcat!

Bye Outback Thunda! It never came back – we were down to three!!

The JetVan getting started!

Mystery Machine Jet Van

The Mystery Machine Jet Van is a true sight to behold with it's amazing afterburner throwing flames in excess of 15 meters behind capable of melting a car within just moments. The Jet Van is a major attraction drawing crowds either in full flight action or just as a static display.
The Jet Van is powered by a Russian fighter jet engine producing 15000 horse power. This amazing Jet Van cost $150000 to build and uses 4 litres of jet fuel per second. This Jet Van is the fastest vehicle to travel down Bathurst's Conrod Straight, clocking an amazing 339 kilometres per hour. This is no normal van with special racing brakes that cost $12,000 alone, airbag suspension and a full roll cage.
The Jet Van became a statement of how far you could go with a stock standard delivery van. Award winning interiors have featured, devastating sound systems and leopard skin lining. Engines have progressed in size and power from the stock four cylinder, through a V6, to a V8 and now the only logical choice....
A Rolls Royce [600 series] Viper Jet is the centrepiece of this incredible vehicle. Punching out a max 6000 lbs of thrust [with the after burner on]. This compact jet will suck it's 300 litre tanks dry in around two and a half minutes.
The Jet Van is the culmination of eighteen months design and development work. Experts, in their respective fields, put the finishing touches to the Jet Van and guide it through the shake down process.
Upgraded brakes on all four corners will call a halt to proceedings and the original four cylinder power plant remains in place to facilitate easy and rapid access to almost any performance area. (taken from http://www.kcsfireworks.com/gallery/truckphoto/jetvangallery/)

The old van goes up……………..

………..the old van comes down!

Flying over the cars. They moving cars further and further away from the start to create a bigger jump area.

(note the silver ute closest to the fence)

This jump did not end so well. As there is so much loose dirt around the area – the rider lost his grip on the as he approached the ramp for the jump. The bike missed a good landing and the next thing the rider had come off the bike and was tumbling down a completely different ramp set up for the other motorcycle stunt act. The rider ended up hanging by his leg caught in the scaffolding of the ramp.

I am very happy to report – HE WALKED AWAY!!

These two broads are ‘local personalities’ – one is a reporter for the local newspaper (and Rodeo Queen entrant – who won the title of “Charity Queen” for raising $38,000 for the Leukemia
Foundation) the other is from the Local Radio Station.

They clung onto the bonnet of the car in preparation for………………….