Sam Xuereb’s ‘Devil’s Taxi’ may sport a yellow cab-styled paint job but that’s where the similarities between the towering Monster Truck and a regular road car end.
With 1500 horsepower snapping and snarling beneath the bonnet, the 572-cubic inch blown-alcohol beast also sounds the part, and visitors to next week’s National 4×4 & Outdoors Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds will get to experience it at full noise as Xuereb attempts to smash a long-standing world record.
The Melbourne-based auto expert is confident that he can prop his ride onto its hind-quarters and complete the world’s longest Monster Truck wheelie, a mark that currently stands at 265 feet, or around 80.7m.
“I’m really looking forward to getting down to the show and pulling this world record attempt off,” said Xuereb. “It was set by ‘Big Foot’ which is an American truck so it would be great to bring the record back to Australia.”
With over 12 years experience designing and building Monster Trucks, Xuereb put all of his knowledge into practice when creating the ‘Devil’s Taxi’.
“I spent around 6 months manufacturing all of the parts and a further 12 months putting together the frame so it has been a long-term project,” he said of the vehicle, which was completed in 2010.
“To give myself a real shot at the record I’ve made some mods to the truck to lighten it including shaving around 100kg of rubber off the tyres.
“It’s a huge distance to cover on two wheels and we’ll certainly be using every metre available to us at the Melbourne Showgrounds.”
The ‘Devil’s Taxi’ can be seen in action twice daily in the Aussie Disposals Action Arena which will also host the AUS TRUCK competition, the Loveday Comedy Show and 4WD test track demonstrations.
Visit 4x4show.com.au to purchase tickets online or for further information. You can also find us on facebook – search ‘National 4×4 & Outdoors Expo’.
Opening Times:
Friday September 2, 10am-8pm
Saturday September 3, 9am-6pm
Sunday September 4, 9am-5pm
Tickets:
Adults, $16
Seniors, $12
Kids under 15 admitted free