Big Pete - The World's First Monster Truck & Trailer | RIDICULOUS RIDES
The UK is home to the Monster Truck Nationals and in 2019 English monster legend, Mike Murty attempted a world first with his truck ‘Big Pete.’ Mike told Barcroft Cars: “We have planned for many years, and for the first time it will be seen this weekend - the world’s first monster truck and trailer, which we designed to be able to crush the cars.” Powered by a Big-Block Chevrolet V8 engine, three-speed automatic gearbox, and sporting Mega X BIB tyres - Big Pete is known to jump 15 feet and always puts on an amazing show. Mike explained why it was so special, “this is one of the only working monster trucks out there, still running leaf-sprung suspension - most drivers can't handle it because it is so hard on the body.” He continued, “it looks totally different from any other monster truck out there.” The first thing that anybody sees when faced with Big Pete is the truck’s most prominent feature - huge tyres, which cost over £3500 each. “The pressure that we run in these tires helps with the suspension”, Mike explained. Big Pete’s unique body is built with genuine steel and aluminum. "These trucks are car killing machines”, Mike said. “It is an awesome and yet awful thing to drive at the same time.” In the film, Mike and Big Pete attempt a world’s first - taking the truck and trailer over a fleet of cars.
Transcript
00:00 We have planned for many, many years something that nobody has ever seen in the world.
00:07 Welcome to the United Kingdom Monster Truck Nationals.
00:27 Ladies and gentlemen, cross your legs, this is going to be a bumpy ride.
00:33 And of course in attendance is English monster legend Mike Murty and his truck Big Pete.
00:53 We have planned for many, many years and for the first time it will be seen here this weekend,
01:01 the world's first monster truck and trailer which we've designed to be able to crush the cars.
01:18 Powered by a big block Chevy V8 engine with a three speed automatic gearbox and sporting Michelin Mega X tyres,
01:26 Big Pete is known to jump 15 feet high and always puts on an amazing show.
01:32 It looks totally different to any other monster truck that is out there.
01:37 As you can see here, this is the Peterbilt body, genuine all steel and aluminium Peterbilt body.
01:44 If you work your way down, I guess the first thing anybody sees is these huge tyres.
01:49 They're very expensive, around about £3,500 a piece.
01:53 The pressure that we run in these tyres helps with the suspension.
01:57 This is one of the only working monster trucks out there still running leaf sprung suspension.
02:04 Most drivers can't handle it because it is so hard on the body and trust me, I know about it.
02:11 As we come further back, this is where things get a lot more interesting because this is the trailer
02:18 and it is the first and only one in the world and fingers crossed for the first time here this weekend,
02:25 we're going to take this truck and this trailer over those cars.
02:30 And while Mike and Big Pete prepare for their world's first,
02:36 there's plenty of destruction to entertain the crowds.
03:04 It is an awesome and yet awful thing to drive at the same time.
03:09 Start your engines!
03:17 The stage is set.
03:21 These trucks are killing machines.
03:32 Time for Mike to put Big Pete and their monster trailer to the test.
03:38 Job done.
03:57 And I think it's fair to say Mike seems fairly happy with his performance.
04:03 Absolutely perfect, world's first monster truck and car pushing trailer.
04:15 Testament to the design.
04:17 I'm absolutely stoked now.
04:20 What's next for Big Pete?
04:23 The sky's the limit.
04:27 [Engine Revving]
04:31 (engine revving)