Imagine the check list that Chris Sams of Sams Crispe Communications had to put together the monster truck event for this year's opening ceremony for the New York International Auto Show at the Javits Center. There was a squad of cheerleaders, a marching band, 12 discarded and wrecked cars, an ear-shattering sound system, a local television anchor as M.C., and of course, several monster trucks.
The ceremony took place on the first spectacular day of spring in front of the Javits Center, where the week-long auto show will take place. The highlight: a car-crushing duel between monster trucks named for WWF wrestlers Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock (although neither wrestlers actually showed up).
While the monster trucks were preparing for the ultimate crush, the New York City All High School Marching Band and the New York City Cheerleaders entertained the crowd of eager car show attendees. When the race began, the 1,500 horsepower monster trucks turned the discarded cars (supplied by Mid-Island Auto Wrecking) into metal pancakes. At the end of the three-minute race, M.C. Larry Hoff of the WB 11 news awarded the trophy to a proud Stone Cold Steve Austin.
After the race, Mayor Rudy Giuliani unbuckled the traditional giant seat belt to officially open the show. The mayor did comment on the irony that despite all of the monster trucks and wanton destruction of vehicles, the theme of this year's car show is safety.
--David Adler
The ceremony took place on the first spectacular day of spring in front of the Javits Center, where the week-long auto show will take place. The highlight: a car-crushing duel between monster trucks named for WWF wrestlers Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock (although neither wrestlers actually showed up).
While the monster trucks were preparing for the ultimate crush, the New York City All High School Marching Band and the New York City Cheerleaders entertained the crowd of eager car show attendees. When the race began, the 1,500 horsepower monster trucks turned the discarded cars (supplied by Mid-Island Auto Wrecking) into metal pancakes. At the end of the three-minute race, M.C. Larry Hoff of the WB 11 news awarded the trophy to a proud Stone Cold Steve Austin.
After the race, Mayor Rudy Giuliani unbuckled the traditional giant seat belt to officially open the show. The mayor did comment on the irony that despite all of the monster trucks and wanton destruction of vehicles, the theme of this year's car show is safety.
--David Adler
A monster truck from Wildfire Motorsports crushed discarded cars provided by Mid-Island Auto Wrecking at the New York International Auto Show opening day ceremony in front of the Javits Center.
The New York City Cheerleaders warmed up the crowd with a performance while the monster trucks prepare for the final car crush.
The New York City All-High School Marching Band performed for the crowd of eager auto show attendees.
The Rock's monster truck from Wildfire Motorsports participated in a monster truck race with Stone Cold Steve Austin's monster truck.
