“SUNDAY! SUN-day! Sun-DAYYYY! The Cabin John Ice Rink on Westlake Drive becomes the HOME of MONSTER TRUCK Madnesssssss!!! And MOTHERS DAYYYY!!! That’s right!! BRING your MOM, and a Coca-Cola product for $10 off at the DOOR, and PREFERRED SEATING in our C-SECTION!!! We’re going to cut up this arena like we’re giving it an EPISIOTOMY!!” The above soundbite was taken from an (as-of-yet) unaired radio advertisement, recorded in advance for local affiliate WBMD. While it won’t see airplay for approximately six months, the ad is aimed to generate excitement over a special Mothers Day 2019 Monster Truck event, planned to take place (as noted above) at the modestly-sized Cabin John Ice Rink in Bethesda, MD. But the question remains: in terms of gender-targeted holiday cross-marketing, are ‘Monster Trucks’ and ‘Mothers’ an ideal pairing? Stereotypes aside, there is some debate as to whether or not such an event would draw a large audience of enthusiastic mothers. But according to the Monster Truck Racing Association (MTRA) steps have been taken to make the event more inclusive. That said, a more appropriate debate might be whether or not those steps will discourage attendance from MTRA’s loyal fanbase. Vice President of Marketing Rick “Roll” Ashley thinks that he can provide some reassurance on both points. “Well, imagine a freestyle face-off that pits a 2018 Ford Explorer vs 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. One on hand, both are sensible and economical family vehicles that any responsible mother might have some interest in. But how do you take the crossovers and SUV’s that moms love and make them exciting for the Monster Jam crowd? Easy. You take that Explorer, and you cram in a 555 cubic inch Merlin engine pumping gout 1700 horses. You take that Pathfinder and you jack it up on 66-inch Terra wheels. Maybe Mom would love to get her hands on a brand new Honda Pilot. Well, we’re sure Dad might be onboard once he sees that Pilot running and gunning courtesy of a 496 Big Block!”
“Ultimately, our goal is to create an event that offers something for everyone. And, of course, that includes the kids who enjoy the larger-than-life personalities of MTRA trucks. That’s why all of our “MOM-ster JAM” trucks will be individually named, featuring iconic paint jobs which suit their distinct personalities.
“El Madre Loco” for example, is a 2018 Chevy Equinox with 3D body casting to create the illusion of prescribed antidepressants spilling into an open mouth. “Maximum Lactation” is a Honda CR-V modified with a Carroll Racing Development chassis, softer-landing suspension and two massive breastmilk pumps that spray the crowd.
“I bet kids’ll love that titty-milk,” offers MOM-ster JAM roadie, Aaron Pratt.
But even with over-the-top names like MAMASAURUS WREX and MOMSTER BUTT, talk of the event seems to have created more confusion among kids, than actual excitement. And there are even reports of complaints from family groups, claiming that the trucks are creating uncomfortable conversations between parents and children.
Maureen Pizzarella of Bethesda shares, “My 9-year old wants his room covered with posters of something called CERVICAL THUNDER. Now listen, I’m no prude…I banged the backup keyboardist from R.E.O. Speedwagon in ’83, for Christ’s sake…but seriously?”
Time will tell, if the event proves successful. Will you be buying tickets for MOM-ster JAM ’19? Let us know, and be sure to tell us which MOM-ster JAM truck is YOUR favorite!
