His distinct Mohawk hairstyle has made George Balhan one of Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam’s® most easily recognized personalities and his performances on the track have made him one of the biggest superstars in the sport. Dating back to his days riding Quad Wars at Monster Jam events to his breakthrough to the top of the sport behind the wheel of the distinctive black Escalade, Balhan has built his own unique fan base, known as the Mohawk Nation. In 2011, Balhan is piloting Mohawk Warrior™.
Q&A with George Balhan
MonsterJam.com: How did you get started competing on the Monster Jam circuit?
George Balhan: I came from a motocross and ATV background, and then I rode in Quad Wars for several years. From this, I started to get to know everyone in Monster Jam, and I just begged and pleaded for a while to let me drive a truck. After a couple of years, they gave me a shot at a driving experience in Las Vegas. About six months later, I was driving in Dallas, Texas. Dallas was my first show, driving Spider-man. I then went on to drive Blue Thunder® for one year, then Escalade came into fruition for a few years, and now, Mohawk Warrior.
MonsterJam.com: What do you enjoy doing while on the road with Monster Jam?
George Balhan: Hanging out with my friends. A lot of times I’m stuck with Damon [Bradshaw], so we will go out and just have a good time and get to know all the locals. We like to just walk around wherever we are, enjoy the culture, and just have a good time.
MonsterJam.com: What do you do with your free time?
George Balhan: I spend a lot of time with my wife and kids. We’re gone so much that when I’m home I just like to hang out with them. My kids ride dirt bikes now; so when I’m around we’ll go dirt bike riding. Other than that, I enjoy hanging out and doing normal family things.
MonsterJam.com: What is your greatest memory as a monster truck driver?
George Balhan: I really enjoyed an event in Anaheim a few years back [in 2006]. It was just one of those events where it seemed like everything went right. I won the racing and I tied Chuckie Pauken and Grave Digger® in freestyle. It was an electric night. The crowd was great; they had a lot of energy, and I had a really good time. Another great memory fell on the weekend before we were in San Diego and I won freestyle, which added to my great week.
MonsterJam.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals that you run though?
George Balhan: Actually, I don’t. I don’t really even get nervous anymore. It has become like second nature to me now. I mean, I’ll run into the bathroom three or four times before last call, but that’s just because now we’re strapped into the truck for so long. Other than that, I just try to relax and enjoy the moment. The crowds are always electric right before the show starts; so I like to just climb in my truck and sit there and watch opening ceremonies and get ready for the night ahead.
MonsterJam.com: If you were not competing on the Monster Jam tour, what career path would you follow?
George Balhan: I would like to stay involved in some form of motorsports. I previously worked for a motocross company in California for a little while right before I moved back to Chicago to start doing this, so I’d probably still be involved in that. In addition, my dad owns a body shop, so I may choose to go down that career path, but I really enjoy the racing community. It’s such a great extended family that I know I’d like to stay involved with it.
MonsterJam.com: What’s your favorite food?
George Balhan: Italian
MonsterJam.com: What’s your favorite movie?
George Balhan: The Hangover
MonsterJam.com: What’s your favorite television show?
George Balhan: Two and a Half Men
MonsterJam.com: What’s your favorite color?
George Balhan: White
TRUCK INFO • Truck Name: Mohawk Warrior™
• Engine size: 540 CI
• Transmission: Coan 2-Speed
Sponsors: Advance Auto Parts, Arsenault Associates, ARP Automotive Products, Auto Meter, Awesome Racewear, Cam 2 Racing Oil, Coan, Crower Racing Products, Derale Performance, Energy Suspension, Fel-Pro Performance Gaskets, FK Rod Ends, Hawk Performance, Jaz Products, K & N Filters, King Engine Bearings, Lincoln Welders, Liquid Advanced Technology, Magnaflow Performance, Mechanix Wear, MSD Ignition, NGK Spark Plugs, Optima Batteries, Piloti, TX7, Powermaster, Rockford Rosgate, Speed Pro, Universal Technical Institute, Walker Radiator Works, WISECO, World Products
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