With just under a week to go until the first ever Monster Jam® monster truck event in the GCC, behind the scenes work is in full swing. The event, to be held on Friday May 10th at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, will feature ten of the most spectacular vehicles from the Monster Jam stable crushing cars and buses, doing spectacular stunts and racing over the specially transformed venue. That’s not the whole story however: The trucks need to be shipped to the UAE, the Zayed Sports City stadium needs a serious makeover, and the drivers need to get prepared for their first ever appearance in the UAE.

Just after the end of the Advance Auto Parts® World Finals in Las Vegas a month ago, the world championships of monster truck racing and freestyle, the trucks, which include Max D®, Iron Man™, Spiderman™ and 7 others, had their 1 meter wide tires removed and placed in containers. These were replaced by smaller tractor tires, which allow the trucks to be driven into shipping containers and loaded onto a ship leaving the United States and due to arrive in the UAE on May 6th.

A huge array of spare parts, ready to replace the smashed axles, bodywork, and other truck components damaged in the punishing event, were also packed into containers. With Monster Jam in Abu Dhabi being just the first stop on a world tour, and the expectation that each truck will sustain damage in the UAE, these containers are one of the most important elements of the cargo.

At the same time, authorities at the Zayed Sports City Stadium are preparing for an invasion of heavy machinery – specialists from Monster Jam will arrive in the UAE soon to start the transformation of the venue into an obstacle jammed arena specially designed to show off the incredible capabilities of the drivers and trucks to their full potential. Over 300 dump trucks full of dirt will be landscaped into a racecourse full of jumps, with old cars, buses and caravans strategically placed for maximum destructive effect. Under it all will be a special lining designed to prevent damage to the stadium surface – which will need to be restored after the event.

The drivers are excited to come to the UAE for the first time, and will be arriving later in the week of the event, prepared to go all out for their first appearance here. Max D® driver Tom Meents outlines what the fans can expect from Monster Jam Abu Dhabi: “I want to achieve the first ever Double Down in Abu Dhabi,” he says, that’s to say, winning both the racing and freestyle elements of the event. Whether he manages or not, the level of commitment from the drivers is sky high and GCC fans can expect to see the very finest in Monster Jam truck action on May 10th.

One of the most meticulously planned and logistically challenging events ever to come to the GCC, Monster Jam® Abu Dhabi will thrill fans from all over the region, with daily broadcasts from newly announced Host Broadcaster Abu Dhabi Sports TV, special ticket packages to allow groups of fans to get a discount and the chance to meet the drivers and see the trucks at the pre-show Party in the Pits. Viewers can catch all the action from the build-up to the event itself on Abu Dhabi Sports TV every afternoon at 4.30pm.

Monster Jam® will be arriving in Abu Dhabi the week of May 5th, with the stadium event taking place on Friday May 10th. Tickets start from AED150, with discounts for groups available. Tickets are available from www.thinkflash.ae or by calling 800 FLASH (35274).

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