BIGFOOT 50x50 Day 12, 2013: “Speed”

The beginning of Dan Runte’s 2013 couldn’t have started off more spectacularly. Not only was his long jump record made official by Guinness World Records, he was now an official two-time Toughest Monster Truck Tour Champion.

April was set to be quite eventful for Team BIGFOOT. Prior to the first event with Robby Gordon’s Stadium Super Trucks series at University of Phoenix (now State Farm) Stadium, a special event was held on April 2. The “Light It Up Blue” event would be a Noise Sensitive event starring Odyssey Battery BIGFOOT 20. Hyperacusis, or Auditory Sensitivity is a common characteristic for people on the Autism Spectrum. It is a heightened sensitivity to sound that can lead to discomfort, anxiety, and/or sensory overload, and per research, affects 50 to 75 percent of people on the spectrum. BIGFOOT 20 would be eliminating the jarring sound emitted by the engine of a traditionally motored monster truck. Handling the crushing honors would be done by Hall of Famer, Jim Kramer.

The Inaugural Stadium Super Trucks event would occur on April 6, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Representing Team BIGFOOT would be Kyle Doyle in Firestone 14, Darron Schnell in Vi-COR 15, Dan Runte in Autism Speaks 18, and Larry Swim in Speed Energy 19. Tim Missentzis was also there with Odyssey 10, but would crash during practice.

Sadly, Dan Runte would lose out to Darron Migues and Bounty Hunter on the season opener, but Larry Swim would take Speed Energy 19 to the win in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and Dan would go on to win back to back in San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium.

In October, Bob Chandler would receive his third Hall of Fame induction. This year it was the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame giving the honors. Bob would be inducted along with legendary motorcyclist Larry Bergquist, Promoter Frank DeAngelo, Herbst Motorsports owner, Jerry Herbst, and the voice of desert racing, Bob “the Weatherman” Steinberger.