The Voice(s) of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
The Dynamic Duo That Man the Mics What’s the ideal complement to the awesome automotive power of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live? A pair of energetic announcers who have a passion for Hot Wheels and always bring the energy to the arena. Meet Ken Navitsky and Freddie Sheppard, the dynamic duo that man the mics on the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour and exceed every awesome quality you could want out of pair of professional emcees. Ken Navitsky Hailing from Sarasota, Florida, Ken was a standout athlete who earned All-American awards in both football and soccer at Minnesota State. He might have started his career in sales, but after his brother-in-law gave his family tickets to a motorsports show, he was hooked and felt the pull to start his own live event company. When he’s not bringing fans to their feet with his energetic calls, Ken is a proud husband and father who loves spending time with his wife Kelly and his two children. Ken couldn’t be prouder to be a part of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour and believes all involved with the tour are part of a team that is committed to making Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live the best live motorsports show available. What is Ken’s favorite part of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live? The reaction of the fans to seeing these amazing performers and trucks do their thing. We hopefully give the family a chance to let go of their worries for a few hours and just have fun! What is Ken’s favorite truck and why? It’s great when you have BIGFOOT in the house! But truth be told, all of the trucks are all kinds of AWESOME! Has there been a special moment on tour you would like to share? Seeing a fan hug Freddie in the autograph line because of the reaction her autistic son had to him in the stands. That is without question the best part of our job. Freddie Sheppard Born on a walnut farm in Northern California, it wasn’t long before Freddie caught motorsports fever and moved to Southern California hoping to nurture this love and do some riding himself and maybe travel the world. Freddie’s passion for motorsports metal art has led to exciting adventures around the world with teams from NBC, FOX, the Dew Tour, Gatorade, Nike and many more. Freddie’s family is the center of his world. He’s been married to his wife Angie for 20 years and has four kids he describes as “absolutely awesome.” Currently Freddie is on tour with Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live and “Livin’ the DREAM!!!” What is Freddie’s favorite part of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live? That Hot Wheels set out to assemble an ALL-STAR team of drivers, riders, announcers, crew and management to deliver the “evolution of monster trucks” to the world! Challenge Accepted! What is Freddie’s favorite truck and why? “I’m torn between two trucks: Bone Shaker due to my love of metal art and rat rods, and V-8 Bomber – simply old-school American steel.” Has there been a special moment on tour you would like to share? When Bone Shaker finally got his first win four weeks into the season, and I could hear the raw emotion in Kenny’s voice during the winning interview! To see all the other drivers huggin’ and high fivin’ Cody is when I realized I was part of something great! With enthusiastic announcers like this calling the action, it’s no wonder the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour is the BIGGEST, BADDEST and BOLDEST motorsports experience around. It’s evident Ken and Freddie love what they do. They enjoy getting the opportunity to be so close to this awesome event and interact with fans and drivers alike. Ken and Freddie truly embody the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour’s call to action, “GO BIG, GO HOT WHEELS!”
He is Megasaurus, Hear Him Roar!
A Special Note from Megasaurus Hi, my name is Megasaurus, and I can’t stop eating cars. You heard that right, I eat cars. Lots of ‘em. It doesn’t matter if they are 2-door, 4-door or even more door. I eat ‘em with their tires and wheels still attached and their engines still in place, but one thing I won’t try is their gas tanks and batteries. Megasaurus ain’t tryin’ to catch battery acid reflux. I eat cars. And I love it. Whew. It feels good to get that off of my robust metal chest. Now that I’ve given you the basics, let me tell you a little bit more about myself. I stand three stories tall and for now I weigh over 50,000 lbs., but I’m workin’ on that. My blood pressure is 2,500 lbs. per square inch, which my mechanic assures me is completely within the normal range, and I have over 800 feet of veins and arteries. That might be a bit of an overshare, but it’s the truth. I have 15,000 lbs. of crushing force in each claw and 18,000 lbs. of biting force and can lift 30,000 lbs. And did you know when I’m really hungry, I’ve been known to eat boats, airplanes and even houses? What are my favorite foods? I’d have to say Dodge Omnis and Plymouth Horizons are my all-time favorites. They’re what I turn to the most to satisfy a powerful Megasaurus craving. After that it’s probably Ford Escorts. They’re simple, delicious and have no aftertaste. Chevy Cavaliers are good if I just want a no-frills snack. I have to admit I like the occasional Chevy Citation even though they give me gas. I’ll munch on the occasional Honda if I’m craving exotic seafood (they have a fishy taste), and I will eat Toyotas if I need a greasy fix. I’m probably the only one who wishes Guy Fieri would make the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives about the cars in the parking lots of those places. Talk about Flavor Country! Did I mention I spit straight fire? That’s not a brag about my rapping skills. I mean I spit literal fire. Just part of what makes me Megasaurus. My breath contains over 200,000 BTUs of burning power, and it spells certain doom for all vehicles in my path. I can flame broil my own meal without even using a grill. Ok, I’ve said my piece. I could go on all day about my car-chomping prowess, but it’s better that you see it with your own eyes on the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour! I’m beyond honored to team up with the awesome monster trucks and the thrilling FMX racers to bring explosive entertainment to the entire family. I love to thrill fans as they watch me indulge my massive appetite. People can’t help but marvel at my enormous size and my scorching fire breath. I look forward to seeing all of the fans come out to the show and watch me devour the smorgasbord of twisted metal laid out before me. Some might think it’s too much for any one prehistoric automobile chomper to consume. To those skeptics I proudly say, “Challenge Accepted.” My appetite is endless and so are the possibilities when fans attend the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour. GO BIG, GO HOT WHEELS! Yours in Awesomeness, Megasaurus
Meet the High-Flyers of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
Meet the High-Flyers of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live As if the awesome monster trucks weren’t enough, there’s so much more to the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour! While the trucks bring the thunder, our freestyle motocross stars dazzle like lightning. What is freestyle motocross? Simply put, motocross combines off-road motorcycle racing with incredible mid-air tricks that include a 70-foot jump across the arena floor! As you can imagine, it takes a special kind of athlete to hit the ramp at 30 miles per hour and jump 35 feet in the air, and that’s exactly the kind of performers Hot Wheels has in the fold this tour. Meet the FMX Stars Cody Elkins The most unique place Cody has performed: It’s a tie between Egypt and Israel Cody’s favorite bike: Yamaha’s YZ450 bikes and YFZ450 quads What’s his favorite thing about performing on the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour? Cody grew up playing with Hot Wheels vehicles, so the tour is a dream come true for him. Because of this he appreciates the opportunity kids have to experience the amazing Hot Wheels tracks assembled at the Crash Zone Pre-Show Party. Plus, he gets to play with them, too! Josh Headford With 11 years under his belt as a professional motocross star, Josh brings a lot of experience to the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour. When he’s not touring, Josh simply has to walk out of his house and into his yard to hone his electrifying skills, stunts and tricks. That’s right, he has his own practice course at home! The most unique place Cody has performed: The Night of the Jumps in Hamburg, Germany Josh’s favorite bike: Yamaha YZ250 What’s his favorite thing about performing on the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour? Josh really enjoys the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live experience and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces from the second they walk in the door! Brody Wilson Brody got a relatively late start in the sport of motocross, but after he built his first ramp with his father, the rest was history. Brody has become quite the accomplished FMX performer and is a proud addition to the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour. The most unique place Brody has performed: Red Bull X Fighters Floating Course in Munich, Germany Brody’s favorite bike: Honda CRF 450R What’s his favorite thing about performing on the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour? Brody especially loves seeing all of the monster trucks perform and being a part of an exciting, brand- new tour! With the talent, experience and determination shown by these motocross performers, it’s clear these riders fit in perfectly with the “Challenge Accepted” mentality of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour. Expect to see Cody, Josh and Brody zooming, flipping and flying soon in an arena near you. Go Big, Go Hot Wheels!
From A to Z, What to to Expect at Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
A wesome This event is filled with non-stop thrills and action that will entertain the whole family. You’ll remember your favorite moments and the legendary monster trucks that defied gravity long after the show is over. B one Shaker This heavy-duty hot rod is a sight to behold. Whether you’re standing awestruck at his massive size or cheering when he breaks out his patented Skull Smackdown, Bone Shaker has what it takes to have the fans go crazy. C rash Zone The exclusive pre-show experience you don’t want to miss. Get up close and personal with your favorite monster trucks and meet the drivers. Plus, tons of games and activities D emo Derby It’s a no-holds-barred free-for-all that’ll have you screaming for more. This survival of the fittest will have you on the edge of your seat until a champion is crowned. E pic The sheer size of these monster trucks and the exhilarating stunts they perform will entertain you beyond your wildest imagination. You don’t want to miss seeing these massive vehicles smash, crash and race for glory. F ans The most important part of the Hot Wheels Monsters Trucks Live tour! From the heart-pumping thrills of the show to the fan-friendly Crash Zone pre-show experience, everything is thoughtfully planned with the goal of giving our loyal fans an unrivaled entertainment experience! G o Big! Go Hot Wheels! The theme for our trucks and fans alike. With trucks this size and action this thrilling, a battle cry is a must. Go Big, Go Hot Wheels! H ot Wheels Watch the life-sized versions of your favorite Hot Wheels monster trucks do their thing in front of a captivated audience. Collect your favorite replicas, which feature all of the detail and durability you’ve come to expect from Hot Wheels. I conic BIGFOOT, Tiger Shark, V8 Bomber and Bone Shaker are legends in the monster truck game. To witness firsthand the legendary stunts these unique superstars perform is an experience like no other. J umps Hot Wheels monster trucks have an unbelievable combination of speed and power that leads to some truly spectacular jumps. You’ll love seeing these massive machines catching some serious air. K id Friendly The Monster Trucks Live Tour is fun for the whole family. Everything from the concessions, the souvenirs, the Crash Zone Pre-Show experience to the show itself, is created with the goal of a family-friendly show that puts smiles on young faces and gives kids and grown-ups alike memories of an awesome time out with family. L egend (Bigfoot) The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour welcomes the one, the only, the legend, BIGFOOT! All of the stunts and tricks that have led to BIGFOOT earning tons of accolades over a prestigious career will be on display on this tour! M egasaurus Standing 30 feet tall, this prehistoric car chomper is a fan favorite. Megasaurus is a towering behemoth that is exciting, entertaining and hungry for metal. There’s nothing like witnessing the earthshaking power of Megasaurus in person! N ap “They’ll sleep well tonight,” a phrase every parent loves to utter. After a day of excitement at the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour, your kids just might. Then again, maybe the grown-ups will, too. O utrageous The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour simply has the baddest monster trucks around. Take in all of the action and spectacular trucks and see why this is an ultimate experience. P ower – With up to 1500 horsepower in their 10,000 pound bodies, these titans are a sight to behold. Capable of achieving incredible feats of strength while maintaining the agility to pull off some truly outstanding stunts. Q uest Each one of the Hot Wheels monster trucks and drivers is on a quest to be the best! When you’re watching this show, you’re experiencing the ultimate competition with trucks that have been upgraded to the max to achieve top performance. R ev These mighty machines revving their powerful engines create a sense of anticipation that drives audiences wild. Luckily, fans don’t have to wait long before the Hot Wheels monster trucks spring into action, fully exhibiting their amazing power. S mash Observe the awesome power of these monster trucks as they crush everything in their path. No task is too great for these drivers and machines. When faced with obstacles, the response from the Hot Wheels drivers and monster trucks is always “Challenge Accepted!” T iger Shark Tiger Shark’s goal: To shred ‘em into fish sticks! And Tiger Shark does just that using its awesome shark tooth chomp. Half tiger, half shark, all power! U pcoming Events Click here to reveal the schedule of the awesome upcoming events. Find one near you! V 8 Bomber This super-sized pickup is always on target with its MEGA BOOM attack! V8 Bomber is always on the frontline of the action delivering explosive thrills and chills. W heelie Who doesn’t love a good wheelie? See these exciting giants leave gravity in the dust and pull off amazing stunts and tricks you never thought possible. Wheelies are awesome. A monster truck wheelie is EPIC. X treme The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour is an event jam-packed with fun and excitement. Get a full behind-the-scenes experience with the Crash Zone Pre-Show Party, marvel at the dazzling stunts and tricks of freestyle motocross, and cheer on your favorite monster truck as it pulverizes all obstacles and competition. Y ell Something you’ll do when a monster truck does something incredible. You’ll scream and shout for your favorite monster trucks and stunts. Z oom The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour is fast-paced, with thrills at every turn. Everything has been designed with fans in mind to create an action-packed family-friendly experience you’ll be talking about long after witnessing it. Go Big, Go Hot Wheels!
BIGFOOT® is Coming
That’s right, BIGFOOT is joining Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live’s stable of larger-than-life Monster Trucks. With BIGFOOT joining the pack, all the ingredients are in place to cook up some huge and exciting entertainment for the whole family with the all-new Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour! “What does BIGFOOT’s arrival mean for Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live?” Simply put, it means the arrival of the Monster Truck classic. Owner/operator Bob Chandler first began building BIGFOOT in 1975, and a legend was born. In fact, BIGFOOT Is the Original Monster Truck, the one that launched a worldwide phenomenon and its legions of fans. Soon after that Chandler continued to make improvements and modifications to BIGFOOT until it grew into the massive behemoth we know and love today. In no time at all, BIGFOOT was a global sensation! Just look at these stats, accolades and fun facts: Listed by Hot Rod magazine as one of the 100 most influential vehicles in the history of hot rodding Induction into the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame for creator Bob Chandler Induction into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame for Chandler Fun Fact: There is no BIGFOOT 13 due to the superstition of the number 13 being unlucky. Also unlucky? The rows of cars in the path of the other BIGFOOT versions, regardless of number. Fun Fact: BIGFOOT once jumped a 727 airliner, breaking a world record in the process. With that history and legacy, it’s easy to see why Hot Wheels and BIGFOOT are fired up to join forces on the first-ever Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour. Ann and Bob Trent, president and vice president of BIGFOOT 4×4 Inc., were more than ready to gush over this shared opportunity: “We are extremely excited to be part of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour! We just started working with Hot Wheels again and will have multiple products released early next year. This new series, featuring the Hot Wheels BIGFOOT and the rest of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, just pushes this to a whole new level!” “BIGFOOT is a titan and a legend. BIGFOOT raises every bar there is.”, said Ken Hudgens, CEO of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour. “The fans are going to go nuts when they see what we have up our sleeves in this tour. BIGFOOT and HOT WHEELS MONSTER TRUCKS LIVE together!” There is a long history of partnership between Hot Wheels and BIGFOOT going back nearly 30 years, but this current team up means Hot Wheels will be releasing a retro edition of BIGFOOT soon that will mimic what BIGFOOT looks like on this tour! This awesome replica will feature the durability, attention to detail and sheer quality the world has come to expect from Hot Wheels. The name Hot Wheels is synonymous with family fun and the new BIGFOOT entry will be a perfect addition to any collection or play space. So now with BIGFOOT joining the tour, there is even more excitement around the debut of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live. This is clearly an experience not to be missed. GO BIG, GO HOT WHEELS!
Announcing Hot Wheels™ Monster Trucks Live
Raycom-Legacy Content Company and Hot Wheels® Launch Hot Wheels™ Monster Trucks Live New Monster Truck Tour Will Travel to More Than 20 Cities in its Inaugural Year November 12, 2018: Charlotte, NC – Raycom-Legacy Content Company is partnering with Hot Wheels® to launch Hot Wheels™ Monster Trucks Live, a new nationwide tour that will create an immersive experience for Monster Truck fans. This new live entertainment tour will visit arenas and stadiums throughout the U.S. beginning in January 2019. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will bring everyone’s favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to life, combining Hot Wheels’ iconic jumps and stunts with epic crashing and smashing to deliver an exhilarating family entertainment experience for kids of all ages. In addition to the Trucks, each show will feature specialty acts like the superstars of freestyle motocross, world record attempts, and Megasaurus – the massive, car-eating, fire-breathing prehistoric robot who loves chomping on anything with four wheels – as it makes its Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live debut. Offering unrivaled entertainment value for Monster Truck fans, each event will feature affordable ticket prices, the Crash Zone Pre-Show Party with Monster Truck photo opportunities, driver meet-and-greets, VIP autograph sessions, and other special prizes and promotions. The first stop of the tour will be January 5-6th at the brand new Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas, and the tour will travel to more than 20 cities in its inaugural year. Scheduled stops include Cleveland, Memphis, Louisville and Norfolk, VA, among others. Visit www.hot-wheels-monster-trucks-live.com for additional tour dates and venues. Conceived in 1968 by an innovator, a rocket scientist and a car designer, Hot Wheels 1:64 scale die-cast cars were designed to look awesome and perform. Five decades later, Hot Wheels is the number one selling toy in the world* with more than 16.5 cars sold every second. The brand has evolved from a simple, yet beloved, toy car with orange track system into a global franchise powerhouse that offers fans of all ages multi-channel play experiences. “Mattel is always exploring new and innovative ways for fans of all ages to play and engage with our portfolio of iconic brands,” said Julie Freeland, Senior Director of Mattel Global Live Events & Attractions. “With the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live experience we’ll not only bring our fans into the real-life action in the arena, but also bring the Hot Wheels brand into an exciting new category.” Raycom-Legacy Content Company is a world-class event operation, promotion, television production, licensing, media and public relations firm. The company is a partnership between Raycom Sports – a leader in sports marketing, event management and production – and Legacy Motorsports Events – led by executives with unrivaled experience operating large-scale entertainment tours. “Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will provide unmatched entertainment value for Monster Truck fans, especially kids and their families,” said Ken Hudgens, President & CEO of Raycom-Legacy Content Company. “This tour will encompass what everyone loves about Monster Trucks, and elevate it to the next level by immersing our fans in an authentic Hot Wheels experience.” Visit www.hot-wheels-monster-trucks-live.com for more information. About Raycom-Legacy Content Company Raycom-Legacy Content Company is a large-scale event operation, promotion, television production, licensing, media and public relations firm. The company owns and operates Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, a nationwide Monster Truck tour visiting more than 20 markets in 2019, its inaugural year. Raycom Legacy Content Company is a partnership between Raycom Sports – a leading independent sports marketing, event management and production firm – and Legacy Motorsports Events – which was co-founded by entertainment and motorsports executives Ken Hudgens, Tim Murray, Eric Cole and Bob Boggess. The company is based on Charlotte, N.C. *Hot Wheels Basic Cars Assortment is the number one selling toy in the world based on units sold according to NPD About Mattel, Inc. Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) is a leading global children’s entertainment company that specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer products. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic franchises, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®, Fisher-Price® and Thomas & Friends®, as well as other popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and technology companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach their full potential. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.
We’re Gonna Crush It!
Hot Wheels™ Monster Trucks Live is the show you can’t miss! Hot Wheels™ Monster Trucks Live will bring everyone’s favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to life, combining Hot Wheels’® iconic jumps and stunts with epic crashing and smashing to deliver an exhilarating family entertainment experience for kids of all ages. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Go Big! They are Fast, Loud, High-Flying and Hard-Crashing! You won’t believe a truck can do that! Up in the air, upside down, on four wheels, two wheels or even one. From super-fast to super-charged. From spin-out to save. The stars of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live are elegant, insanely powerful, spectacular beasts. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is a great deal for the whole family. Kids have the opportunity to see Hot Wheels Monster Trucks up close, meet Monster Truck drivers during the Crash Zone Pre-Show Party and get autographs following the show. Each show also features the awesome Car-Eating, Fire-Breathing, Transforming Robot Megasaurus and the mid-air motorcycle acrobatics of the Superstars of Freestyle Motocross! This is unlike any Monster Truck show you’ve seen. Monster Truck enthusiasts challenged us to build a show for the fans. Families challenged us to create an affordable, exhilarating event for everyone from kids to parents and grandparents. Everyone challenged us to put on a show that would create memories to last a lifetime. Challenge Accepted™.
Challenge Accepted™!
Hot Wheels™ Monster Trucks Live Begins Rolling Across the Country in January We’re on a mission to bring Hot Wheels™ Monster Trucks Live to stadiums and arenas across the United States and Canada. Beginning in January at the brand new Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will visit more than 20 cities and towns to deliver iconic jumps and stunts, epic crashing and smashing, and exhilarating family entertainment to Monster Truck fans. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live opens in at least ten cities from January through the end of March, including the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, which has hosted legendary musical acts like David Bowie and Elton John; Fed Ex Arena, home of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies; the KFC Yum! Center, home of University of Louisville basketball; and Scope Arena in Norfolk, home of the ABA Squires and basketball legend Julius Erving. We’re adding cities and dates regularly so check back often to see if we’re coming to a city near you. Here is a look at the first 10 events in the 2019 tour: January 5 – 6: Bert Ogden Arena, Edinburg, TX January 12 – 13: Wolstein Center, Cleveland, OH January 18 – 19: Mississippi Coliseum, Jackson, MS January 26 – 27: Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, IL February 1 – 3: Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, MO February 8 – 10: Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington, IL February 16: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN February 23: Albany Civic Center, Albany, Ga March 16: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY March 29 – 30: Scope Arena, Norfolk, VA Tickets go on sale starting November 15. To view all upcoming events as they are added, click here.