Monster truck builder and racing legend Kirk Dabney established a new world speed record for monster trucks on Sunday at the IHRA Mardi Gras Nitro Jam at State Capital Raceway last weekend when he drove the Maximum Overkill truck to a terminal velocity of 90.44-MPH. The previous record was held by Bigfoot at 86-MPH. Dabney’s truck was in full race condition meaning both driveshafts were in the truck and the suspnsion was no tied down as it was when other trucks made record attempts. Having both driveshafts in is also a rarity in these types of speed attempts.
What’s even more interesting is that the truck was still pulling through the traps, so this 90-mph number, could become closer to 100 if given enough real estate to pull it off.
We spoke to Dabney after he set the record and he said that this accomplishment ranks as high or higher than anything else he has done in his 30 year career. You may remember Dabney’s first truck, a 1967 Camaro monster named Blue Thunder that was controlled with a joystick from a Huey helicopter!
The fact that the 66-inch tires on these trucks can’t really be balanced, are actually intended to farm equipment, and look like massive beach balls heaving in and out as well as up and down at speed, makes 90 seem like a pretty significant accomplishment. Dabney did not tell us what the gear ratios were, but they were pretty deep, at least in terms of monster trucks.
The crowd went freaking nuts when the 90.44-mph speed number came up on the boards and it certainly added an element we hadn’t ever experienced at a drag race before.
Congrats to Kirk Dabney and crew. Now when are we going to see the first 100mph monster truck?
What many probably don’t know…is that Blue Thunder was part of the First Ever Side by Side Monster Truck Race in the New Orleans Super Dome. I still think Blue Thunder won the race against King Kong!!!!
Congrats Kirk…you deserve it after all these years!!!! That was one hellava show in the DOME to start it all!!!!! I still have the photos somewhere…If I can find them!!!