Monster Jam fills Carrier Dome with 200 truckloads of dirt

Before Grave Digger and El Toro Loco tear up the Dome on Saturday, a whole lot of dirt has to be laid down. It takes 4,000 cubic yards – or 200 dump trucks full -- of dirt to construct the ramp-filled course, according to Mike Csizmar, Monster Jam’s international track construction manager. Because the trucks can only enter the Dome two at a time, it requires about 15 hours just to haul in the dirt. Construction of the course takes an additional 6 hours. As of Thursday afternoon, the track build was in its final stages. Monster Jam features oversized custom trucks jumping, flying and crushing anything unfortunate enough to get in their way. The trucks are about 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide, weigh a minimum 10,000 pounds and are supported by 66 inch tires. Despite the steroid-sized dimensions, the trucks are capable of speeds up to 100 miles per hour and can hurdle a distance up to 130 feet. The trucks can also leap up to 35 feet in the air. Saturday’s event at the Dome will feature 14 monster trucks, including Grave Digger, Max-D, Son-uva Digger and Stone Crusher.