Trucks: Grave Digger (driven by Rod), Radical Rescue, Lil Miss Danger, Pony Express, and Full Boar.
Weekend Race Recap
Grand Rapids, MI(January 31 - February 2, 2003)
Anncr. - Scott Rehn
Friday It was a night of free-style, both handle bars and monster trucks. Incredibly, it was the 200lb. motocross bikes nearly stealing the show from the 10,000lb. monster trucks. The 3 riders, David Lowe, Casey Higgins and Michael Gravette absolutely had the Grand Rapids, MI crowd on their feet, but then GRAVE DIGGER came out for his free-style and literally stood himself on end. Pass after pass after pass. Rod Schmidt knew exactly where the "point of no return" was in his truck and he continually hung it out and wowed the crowd. I think he wowed himself a few times too. With 3 more shows this weekend, it was heard more than a few times in the autograph line, "we are definitely coming back tomorrow!"
Saturday 2pm
This afternoon it was all GRAVE DIGGER and Rod Schmidt. The only blemish in what would have been a near a perfect show, took place when Rod and GRAVE DIGGER couldn’t make the call for the doughnut competition. It all started out great for Rod when he was able to pull off a perfect score of 30 in the wheelie contest, but in doing so, not only did DIGGER wedge himself on top of the crush cars in an exact 90* angle, but also broke the rear steering at the same time. While the show continued on, the DIGGER crew thrashed through new parts, old parts and was able to get the monster back onto the track in time for the freestyle competition. Incidentally, Rod kicked off another perfect score of 30. The crowd here at the Van Andel Arena was left worried about the possibility of not seeing DIGGER on the track again. But then was left speechless at the absolute total effort of Rod and the DIGGER crew. Lets just say, it’s a sure bet the fans will be coming back next year!
Saturday 8pm
A sold out Van Andel Arena witnessed an awesome night of competition. GRAVE DIGGER with Rod Schmidt behind the wheel had nearly a perfect show going until he broke the rear steering components during a perfect run in the wheelie contest. DIGGER wasn’t able to come out for the doughnut contest, so for the third time in a row it was local favorite from Newaygo,MI – Ed Eckert driving FULL BOAR taking the win in that competition. From then on though, it was all GRAVE DIGGER taking perfect scores of 30 in the wheelie, freestyle, and winning the racing finals.
Sunday Once again it was a DIGGER show, but it was the efforts of the crew that the near capacity crowd noticed most. During the wheelie contest DIGGER scored a perfect 30, but also tore off nearly the entire backside of the truck in doing so. It took the whole crew as well as a few members of other teams to get DIGGER ready for the next race. It was a true sign of sportsmanship and all seen under the watchful eyes of the race fans. The teams didn’t disappoint the fans as DIGGER and Rod Schmidt were able to make the call and win the freestyle and racing portions of the night. It should also be mentioned that Jeremy Ward and PONY EXPRESS scored a perfect 30 and won in the doughnut contest. Also, in three straight shows, Jocelyn Parins and LIL’ MISS DANGEROUS made it to the finals and all three times nearly upset DIGGER. It was a great weekend of racing by all the competitors including some very close finishes. No doubt about it, fans are coming back in 2004!
