Longview, Texas-Sudden Impact Racing its act to Longview, Texas, enjoying blazing hot weather, blazing fast racing passes, and sizzling freestyles as part of a fantastic weekend in the lone star state.

Amsoil Shock Therapy and Redcat Racing Ground Pounder took to the straight line racing course and had plenty of room to let the horsepower do some work. Amsoil Shock Therapy and driver Jon Zimmer ended up in the finals against the truck that started it all, Bigfoot. Off the line, Amsoil Shock Therapy was fast, then settled down quickly and soared to a great racing victory! Some driving was also required after crossing the finish line, as Amsoil Shock Therapy was a little crossed up and bumped into a freestyle obstacle!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuUelkBPI1Q

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSsFSVMykCc

It was only a preview of what would happen next, however, as Redcat Racing Ground Pounder took to the track with David Brown behind the wheel. After breaking an axle early in the run, Redcat Racing Ground Pounder refused to give up, launching over everything on the track, then ending a bit early after getting crossed up between a van stack and another stack of cars. This resulted in an awkward launch and a hard rollover. Driver was fine, truck was not, as damage was sustained to the body, a four-link bar, and the cage.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6l_ao728Wo

Amsoil Shock Therapy was not to be denied on this night, and picked up where Brown and Redcat Racing Ground Pounder left off, and then some! Incredible air, a great slap wheelie after a vertical launch on a van stack, and high-speed cyclones were all a part of an amazing Amsoil Shock Therapy freestyle that capped the weekend off in style.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i42I90pvd4

“I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend,” said Zimmer. “I got to thank Amsoil and Sudden Impact Racing in front of the whole crowd, and I was really happy with how racing and freestyle went. Anytime you can get a sweep, it feels fantastic.”

Austin, Texas-Sudden Impact Racing on the bill for Austin, Texas, showcasing teamwork and dedication to the sponsors and fans in the Travis County Expo Center. Many times teams are presented with hardships throughout a weekend of racing and freestyle, but Cult Energy Activator and Amsoil Excaliber got the job done with another highly successful show.

Things started off on the best note possible, with Cult Energy Activator and Mike Barnes meshing quickly to perform a 90-degree vertical, picture-perfect sky wheelie that left the fans standing and cheering (and the tailgate of Cult a little banged up!), and also netted Sudden Impact Racing a victory!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LICNG3RmLNQ

Amsoil Excaliber suffered a setback almost immediately during the wheelie contest, but did so in spectacular fashion. Ryan stood Amsoil Excaliber up in a great wheelie of his own, but had a car move out from under him, tossing the truck onto the sidewalls of the Sudden Impact Racing tires. Ryan brought Amsoil Excaliber back onto all four wheels with a great piece of driving, but gashed a tire in the process.

“I was happy to have saved the truck from more damage,” said Ryan. “The fans were really happy with how both Sudden Impact Racing trucks did in the wheelie contest, though!”

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSBF5eVCEyA

Cult Energy Activator didn’t stop with a wheelie contest victory, making it all the way to the racing finals before losing a close run. Amsoil Excaliber’s Chris Ryan was forced to watch the racing competition from the sidelines after the cut tire in the wheelie contest, but came back with a vengeance in freestyle! After Barnes’ great run in Cult Energy Activator, the truck was brought to the pits and a tire from Cult Energy Activator was quickly put onto Amsoil Excaliber, a great example of efficiency and teamwork.

Ryan showed his appreciation and launched the truck all over the arena to the cheers of the Texas crowd. Big air and cyclone donuts were the name of the game, and Ryan was awarded second place for his efforts on the night.

“We worked hard this weekend, that’s for sure,” said Ryan. “We never mind working hard if it turns the fans and sponsors on, though!”

We will keep you posted on next weekend’s events!

Filed under: Event Recaps, Team News by Brandon

(photo courtesy Michael Moser)

Fayetteville, NC-Sudden Impact Racing had one truck in action this weekend, and that was all they needed. When the sponsor for that truck is Amsoil, the name is Shock Therapy, and the driver is Jon Zimmer, certain expectations are now in place. Amsoil Shock Therapy and Zimmer delivered on those expectations and much more in Fayetteville.

“I was very happy with the weekend,” said Zimmer. “When the lights come on, it’s time to perform, and when I can satisfy the fans, sponsors, and myself, it’s a great feeling.”

Amsoil Shock Therapy did just that. In three shows on the weekend, Amsoil Shock Therapy took a racing victory and two freestyles home with top honors. Other than a bit of expected wear and tear on the body, the truck was no worse for wear, a true testament to the hard work and maintenance the crew performs every week, as well as the product being run in it.

“Tim Bush, Brandon Lagarde, and the entire Sudden Impact Racing Team have us running great every weekend,” said Zimmer. “We work hard and expect as much of the truck as we do of ourselves.”

Amsoil Shock Therapy may have exceeded even the team’s lofty expectations with a high-speed, high-energy freestyle for the final show of the weekend, a no-doubt win for the team. Cross-threading hits, huge air, and trademark cyclone donuts were all the order of the day for Zimmer as he spun Amsoil Shock Therapy around over and over, then emerged to a roar of approval from the crowd, and another win for Sudden Impact Racing and Amsoil Shock Therapy.

Minus a bit of body work, Amsoil Shock Therapy is once again ready to go, and will be in action in Longview, Texas this weekend along with Amsoil Excaliber. We’ll keep you posted!

Filed under: Event Recaps by Brandon

Pueblo, CO-Sudden Impact Racing came up big in Pueblo, enjoying another fantastic weekend of racing and freestyle, including a new course format.

“We did three-wide racing in Pueblo, and Mitch Tulachka (Cult Energy Activator) and I were able to get the job done and have a good weekend overall,” said Redcat Racing Ground Pounder’s Chris Ryan.

Sometimes a monster truck driver is limited by their space on the floor or the obstacles, and in the case of the obstacles, this happened in Pueblo. With good lift from the obstacles being at a premium, Redcat Racing Ground Pounder and Cult Energy Activator still shone, catching plenty of air and exciting the fans throughout the weekend. They were also competitive every round of racing, although no victories came back with the team.

“We’re in the hunt if we’re not on top, and we couldn’t do it without support from Sudden Impact Racing’s entire team or our sponsors, as well as Lindsey Hilgendorf this weekend for helping crew,” said Ryan.

Next, the team is headed to Austin, Texas, for some fun in the sun. We’ll keep you posted!

Garden City, Kansas-Sudden Impact Racing was literally a one-man wrecking crew in Garden City, with Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber both being driven by Jon Zimmer.

“I was in a situation where neither of the trucks were a hundred percent after breakage of various kinds at the shows, but I wouldn’t let down the fans or Amsoil,” said Zimmer. “Cameron Migues helped me out a great deal this weekend, and we made it happen no matter what got thrown at us.”

A semi-finals of racing appearance despite engine problems and plenty of big air in freestyle from both Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber kept the crowd on its feet and Zimmer one busy man as he switched between fixing the trucks and driving them to huge-air, fast-paced freestyles, including a broken spindle at the end of his final run of the weekend!

“It was a lot of work overall, but I’ve never minded working hard,” said Zimmer. “We love what we do, and we love any support we get from sponsors and our fans!”

Next, results are coming from Fayetteville, North Carolina shows from yesterday and today. We’ll keep you posted!

Filed under: Event Recaps, Team News by Brandon

Elko, Minnesota-Sudden Impact Racing has absolutely no “quit” in them whatsoever, thrilling the fans at Elko Speedway no matter what obstacles stood in their way. After two rounds of freestyle, the fans left buzzing about the cyclone donuts, big air, and fast-paced excitement they had just witnessed courtesy of Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber.

“We had a couple of things get in our way, but we did everything we could to make sure we represented Amsoil and all of our sponsors to the fullest,” said Amsoil Shock Therapy driver Jon Zimmer. “You only get so much time to show the fans what you’ve got, and we made the most of what we had.”

Amsoil Excaliber made highlights in its first freestyle, with some big air and a small slap wheelie to get the crowd on their feet.

“I ran one of my first shows here last year, and I feel I’ve improved greatly since then,” said Ryan. “We have a great team here, and I’m glad both myself and the team are doing well.”

Both Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber were presented with a challenge before the second round of freestyle, as a bus jump stunt that was part of another act at the speedway went awry. The bus plowed into the car stack the monster trucks were to jump, mashing up the cars and scattering them over the track. No matter for Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber, however. Zimmer and Ryan lit the speedway up anyway, performing a dual freestyle that began with big air, a save, and a flat-tired, three-wheel cyclone for Amsoil Shock Therapy! Zimmer waved to the fans, then cheered Ryan and Amsoil Excaliber on as they continued freestyling. Amsoil Excaliber launched over the entire set of scattered cars several times and ended with a blazing cyclone donut, kicking up dust and making it hard to even see the trucks!

“When I got out to wave to the fans, we got a big cheer, and that makes it worth all the hard work,” said Ryan. “Amsoil Excaliber and Amsoil Shock Therapy were running good for us.”

Next, the team heads for three shows in three cities in three days in Canada. The “three by three tour” will kick off in Develuveille, Quebec August 27. We’ll keep you posted!

Filed under: Event Recaps, Team News by Brandon

West Valley, Utah-Sudden Impact Racing headed to Rocky Mountain Raceway in Utah to brave the unique figure-8-style racing course and wild freestyle obstacles, coming away with another successful stop on their summer tour. Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber battled it out with the rest of the field in a great two-day event.

The first event saw Amsoil Shock Therapy run into some problems in racing after a third-place qualifying effort, but in true Sudden Impact Racing Fashion, make up for it in freestyle. After a solid effort from Amsoil Excaliber, Amsoil Shock Therapy took to the track, and made quick work of all the obstacles on the track.

“We only had a minute to freestyle the first night, so there was no time for messing around, which was fine by me,” driver Jon Zimmer said. “I got to catch some big air after being upset about how racing went, and ended up in second. We love to turn the fans on, and they left happy, so that’s what mattered to me!”

Amsoil Excaliber and Amsoil Shock Therapy would face off in the first round of racing for the second event, with Amsoil Shock Therapy taking the victory.

“We’d rather see both Amsoil trucks in the finals, but if I have to lose to anyone, I’d rather have it be Zimmer,” said Amsoil Excaliber’s Chris Ryan. “Overall, it was a strong weekend, and we both did very well the second night in freestyle.”

Indeed, freestyle was the strong point, as Ryan took to the track and aired Amsoil Excaliber out over many obstacles on track, warming the excited crowd up for Amsoil Shock Therapy’s freestyle. 2010 Monster Jam World Finals competitor Jon Zimmer let loose with a fantastic freestyle that earned him a second-place finish and a great closer to the weekend. Everything that could be done on the track short of tearing the truck up, Zimmer did—incredible air over every obstacle on the track, great slap wheelies, and some high-speed cyclone donuts to cap off the show and let the fans see, feel, and hear the great Holbrook Engine powering Amsoil Shock Therapy!

Next up for team Sudden Impact Racing is a trip to Elko, Minnesota for some more freestyle on August 21.

Honesdale, PA-Sudden Impact Racing pulled into Pennsylvania with the same goal as always—pleasing the fans and sponsors. For that, it was mission accomplished in Honesdale for a freestyle-only, two-night show.

“We were able to show the people at Redcat Racing what the Ground Pounder monster truck and Sudden Impact Racing are all about,” said Redcat Racing Ground Pounder driver Ben Winslow. “We’re pleased to have such great sponsors on the team, and they make us able to give back to the fans.”

The weekend started with Tim Missentzis in Cult Energy Activator, who refused to give up on the truck or the fans, starting things off with some great air over the cars and vans on the track, then experiencing electrical problems that sent the truck to the pits. While Redcat Racing Ground Pounder took its turn in freestyle with some big air of its own over some flattened cars, Cult Energy Activator was being fixed, and came back out for another go at the track, catching some more great air until an engine problem ended the truck’s event.

“Sometimes things aren’t ideal in monster trucks, and Cult Energy Activator’s engine had a valve go through the piston and bounce into the oil pan,” said Winslow. “Tim worked really hard to get the truck back out there, and we made it happen the best we could for Cult and the fans!”

Redcat Racing Ground Pounder made the best of a drier track the next day, catching more big air and making full passes in freestyle to the delight of the Pennsylvania crowd. Another quick turnaround is necessary, as Winslow and the team need to leave for another show soon.

“These long days and nights are hard, but it’s worth it when we look in the stands and see all the kids happy, cheering us on,” said Winslow. “We’ll be ready for the next show!”

No rest for the weary, as the next show was Gaithersburg, Maryland on August 18-19. We’ll keep you posted!

Filed under: Event Recaps, Team News by Brandon

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvVX-9kTnA4

Filed under: Check This Out! by Brandon

Monroe, Michigan and Rossburg, Ohio-Sudden Impact Racing was out in full force for Midwest Monster Truck Events’ Monroe, Michigan event, and made it two events in two states in two days, rounding out the weekend with an event at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg. Both places were a great success for Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber.

“It was an incredibly busy weekend, but we made it a great one for the team,” Amsoil Shock Therapy driver Jon Zimmer said. “I was able to take a couple of wins, and with the support of Amsoil and Sudden Impact Racing, we got it done!”

The first success of the weekend came from Zimmer’s teammate truck, Amsoil Excaliber. Chris “Panda” Ryan made his way to the racing final on a tricky S-style course, suffering a narrow defeat.

“I feel more and more comfortable in Amsoil Excaliber,” said Ryan. “I very much enjoy it every time I’m behind the wheel of this particular truck, and I think it showed this weekend.”

Indeed it did, as Amsoil Excaliber built on the racing success with a strong freestyle to get things started, then Amsoil Shock Therapy came out and bested all previous freestyles, taking the hands-down victory with a score of 26. Everywhere the fans looked, Amsoil Shock Therapy was there—big air, two-wheel saves, and plenty of momentum were key in another fantastic victory for the Amsoil Shock Therapy team.

“Every time I hit the track in Amsoil Shock Therapy, I have two things in mind,” said Zimmer. “One, please myself with my run, and two, please the fans and sponsors. Chances are, if I’ve done one, I’ve also made good on the other!”

After they made good on both in Monroe, the Sudden Impact Racing Team loaded up and headed to Rossburg, Ohio for a show at Eldora Speedway. Amsoil Shock Therapy would pick up right where it left off in Monroe, taking a wheelie contest victory, then experiencing engine trouble that would sideline the truck for the night.

“Sometimes in monster trucks you run things so hard for so long that eventually, something has to give no matter how much you maintain it,” said Zimmer. “Luckily for me, David Brown decided to be a great teammate and put me in Amsoil Excaliber for freestyle, and it worked out well.”

Brown had a good night racing Amsoil Excaliber, then turned things over to Zimmer as mentioned, demonstrating the great level of camaraderie and teamwork in Sudden Impact Racing.

“I was happy with the opportunity to drive Amsoil Excaliber at this show and a few others, and I knew that Zimmer wanted to please everyone and couldn’t with his engine being broken, so I decided to step out and let him have it,” said Brown.

The decision worked wonders for Amsoil Excaliber, as Zimmer was able to take another freestyle victory with his trademark huge air, great momentum, and high-speed donuts for the screaming fans. Now, the team heads to Michigan for a few repairs before heading on to the next show!

Cassopolis, Michigan-Sudden Impact Racing’s Redcat Racing Ground Pounder and Cult Energy Activator made the trip to Michigan for a wet event in Cassopolis, but each truck kept the fans happy with great performances all night.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get traction and do our maximum performance in wet conditions,” Redcat Racing Ground Pounder driver Ben Winslow said. “There are no excuses on this team, though. We came away with a good performance for Redcat, Cult, and Sudden Impact Racing.”

Cult Energy Activator and Redcat Racing Ground Pounder both got things started with great wheelies despite the aformentioned slick surface.

“I had a few electrical problems that kept my truck from competing in freestyle,” said Cult Energy Activator’s Chris Ryan. “It’s unfortunate that bad luck happens, but we’ll be back out there soon, and Ground Pounder picked up for me for sure!”

Redcat Racing Ground Pounder carried the SIR name proudly, skying the truck all over the place in Cassopolis to the delight of the fans. A huge highlight came when Winslow launched the truck in a huge leap over the bus stack on the track! Freestyle was a great showing for the team, and no further breakage occurred. Another show down, and no rest for the weary, as Sudden Impact Racing continues its fantastic summer tour. Another exciting weekend comes to a close for Sudden Impact Racing; next week sees the team in Honesdale, Pennsylvania and Rocky Mountain Raceway in Utah. We’ll keep you posted!

Filed under: Event Recaps, Team News by Brandon

Michigan fans, check out both Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber at Victory Lane Quick Oil Change locations. Information below:

http://www.suddenimpact.com/VictoryOil_399345_0729.pdf

Filed under: Check This Out! by Brandon

(photos courtesy Daniel Hennis) Corpus Christi, Texas-Sudden Impact Racing made their presence felt in Texas, matching the state mentality of “bigger is better” with bigger air, bigger wheelies, and more fun throughout the entire weekend.

It began with a great display Thursday, where Redcat Racing Ground Pounder was outside with driver Ben Winslow signing autographs for fans and introducing them to the great Ground Pounder RC Monster Truck.

“It’s always great to see fans and how excited they are over the Ground Pounder—both the big one and the RC,” said Winslow. “From there, we had a good weekend at the show too, so it was a win-win!”

Part of the good weekend in Corpus Christi included a wheelie contest victory for Redcat Racing Ground Pounder. The truck was completely vertical and landed on the last car in a five-car set, earning a roar of approval from the Texas crowd as Winslow drove Redcat Racing Ground Pounder to an exciting victory for the Sudden Impact team.

“Chris (Ryan, driver of Cult Energy Activator) set the bar high in Cult Energy Activator every time, and he and I competed against both each other and the other trucks out there,” said Winslow.

That competitive nature was not lost on Ryan and the Cult Energy Activator, as he laid down some nice wheelies of his own and a great set of donuts, going along with the high-energy theme Cult Energy Activator drinkers enjoy seeing in the truck.

“I felt good out there, especially on the donuts,” said Ryan. “The crowd loves it when you can take a 10,000-pound monster truck and get it going in a cyclone!”

Redcat Racing Ground Pounder and Cult Energy Activator closed the weekend with the second show, where Cult Energy Activator got another great wheelie, Redcat Racing Ground Pounder made a final-round appearance in racing, and freestyle, where another second-place finish turned the great fans of Texas on to Sudden Impact Racing. Overall, it was another great weekend for the record book, and the fans left Corpus Christi happy. We’ll keep you posted on future shows!

Full results can be seen HERE.

Filed under: Event Recaps, Team News by Brandon

Toledo, Ohio-Sudden Impact Racing turned in a great performance at one of the highlight shows of the summer monster truck season in Toledo, Ohio, earning two great victories in a hotly-contested weekend. Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber each picked up victories in a total team effort, beginning with Friday’s wheelie contest, where Amsoil Excaliber took a great victory with a 90-degree vertical wheelie.

“It was my second show behind the wheel of Amsoil Excaliber, and man, that truck works great,” said driver David Brown. “After the first attempt I knew what I needed to do for the second one, and the truck reacts so great. Amsoil and Sudden Impact Racing were great to me this weekend!”

After that great start, Amsoil Shock Therapy kept things right on rolling, defeating Grave Digger with a great run in the finals for a huge racing victory. Driver Jon Zimmer kept Amsoil Shock Therapy running smooth and fast around the two-turn course, earning the fast qualifying position and never lifting.

“I felt good about the night we had in Toledo,” Zimmer said. “It’s great to have Sudden Impact Racing and Amsoil behind us, and getting a racing victory is always outstanding!”

Rain then struck the Toledo Speedway, but Sudden Impact Racing would not be denied a chance to show off for their fans in freestyle, sliding around the concrete jungle of obstacles and thrilling the fans who stuck it out in the weather.

Amsoil Shock Therapy and Amsoil Excaliber each pushed hard on Saturday, with highlights including another tailgate-dragging wheelie from Amsoil Excaliber, then outstanding freestyles from both Amsoil Excaliber and Amsoil Shock Therapy closed the weekend in style. Amsoil Excaliber hit everything on the track with great momentum and worked in a slap wheelie as well, earning a 19 from the judges.

Amsoil Shock Therapy then lit the crowd on fire with a bit of everything, including huge air, cyclone donuts, and a great wheelie up and over a van stack. When the run ended, the truck was enveloped in smoke from a trademark Jon Zimmer/Amsoil Shock Therapy donut, along with a huge cheer from the excited fans at Toledo Speedway. Full results can be seen HERE.

Next up for Sudden Impact Racing is Monroe, Michigan.

Mobile, Alabama-Sudden Impact Racing was on hand at the Mobile Civic Center in Alabama to keep the crowd cheering at the Freestyle Mania event, and for that, it was mission accomplished. Redcat Racing Ground Pounder and Cult Energy Activator persevered through some difficult challenges throughout the event, giving a great performance for the fans.

Redcat Racing Ground Pounder provided several highlight moments throughout the event, including this vertical wheelie, among others:

“We were very excited to bring Sudden Impact Racing and Redcat Racing Ground Pounder to Mobile,” said driver Ben Winslow. “I loved every minute of it, and overall it was a great show.”

Cult Energy Activator suffered major front end damage during Friday’s show, but was back for Saturday after a long night of repairs.

“We were up till about 2 in the morning working on the truck,” said driver Chris Ryan. “We’ll do anything for our sponsors and fans, and Saturday went well for Sudden Impact Racing.”

It did indeed go well, as great efforts in the wheelie contest, donuts, and freestyle left the fans satisfied with both Redcat Racing Ground Pounder and Cult Energy Activator.

Next up for Sudden Impact Racing is Corpus Christi, Texas. We will keep you posted!Full results can be seen HERE.

Filed under: Event Recaps, Team News by Brandon