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Getting dirty: Jerry Beck brings creations to Toughest Monster Truck Tour at Rio Rancho Events Center
Jerry Beck鈥檚 life changed when he became an owner of a monster truck.
A year later, he became a monster truck driver.
Today, he says he鈥檚 an entertainer as he鈥檚 behind the wheel of Dirt Crew.
鈥淚t was a bad idea that turned out great,鈥� he says with a laugh. 鈥淚 enjoy traveling in the motor sports world. If it has horsepower and tires, I鈥檓 there. Now I get to entertain people all over the country and show off some of my creations.鈥�
Beck is one of a handful of drivers that will take center stage at the Rio Rancho Events Center when the Toughest Monster Truck Tour arrives for a two-day stay on Friday, Jan. 12, and Saturday, Jan. 13.
The tour will have monster trucks competing on an all-dirt track inside Rio Rancho Events Center with lots of big dirt jumps, old-school crush cars and racing that isn鈥檛 just side by side in a straight line but involves lots of turns which only the highest level drivers can navigate.
Getting dirty: Jerry Beck brings creations to Toughest Monster Truck Tour at Rio Rancho Events Center
This year鈥檚 line-up includes Blockhead driven by Daron Basl, Dirt Crew driven by Beck, Dozer driven by Marc McDonald/Jack Brown, Maximus driven by Travis Groth, Tailgator driven by Tim Jones, The Veteran driven by Tyler Groth and high-flying tricks and stunts of Freestyle Motocross.
Aside from the actual competition, Beck says the pit party is a great moment for fans to get early access to walk on the dirty track and see the trucks up close.
鈥淲e also get to take pictures and give autographs to the fans,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to be able to give them an up-close look at what we do for a living. It鈥檚 great to see the excitement from all the little kids that are amazed by the monster trucks.鈥�
Beck says being part of the monster truck industry is nonstop.
鈥淲e鈥檒l do a weekend of racing and it will take about 100 hours to make sure the truck is good for the following weekend,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou never park it and wait until the next time to get it out. The vehicles are constantly needing work. When you crash, that鈥檚 even more work.鈥�
Beck has a team of four people working full time to keep up with the Dirt Crew. He will often get his hands dirty fixing it.
鈥淚 work on them,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e build the bodies. I鈥檝e built five bodies during my time. There鈥檚 been Quad Chaos, Dirt Crew, Dirt Crew Dozer, Maximus and Blockhead. Maximus will have its Rio Rancho debut. Blockhead looks like the toy blocks people play with. I built them out of plywood. Building vehicles is an art form. I really enjoy it.鈥�
Beck owns numerous businesses and is constantly busy.
Yet, when he takes to the track, it鈥檚 a special time.
鈥淚t鈥檚 when Jerry gets to be Jerry,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e haven鈥檛 raced for about 12 weeks and I鈥檓 ready to get on the track and enjoy myself.鈥�
