Discovered by Monster Jam producers in North Carolina in 2006, monster truck driver Bari Musawwir, who grew up in Cleveland Heights, admits the huge vehicles represent a departure from the radio-controlled trucks he raced as a kid.

After four years of training, he earned a spot on the Monster Jam tour in 2010 and hasn’t looked back. He’s currently among the top competitors on this year’s circuit.

Yesterday, we spoke to him backstage at the Q where Monster Jam, the annual monster truck rally, commences today.

The event turns the arena floor into a racetrack by dumping truckloads of dirt and building a series of jumps and obstacles. At approximately 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide, Monster Jam trucks sit atop 66-inch-tall tires that allow them to roll over just about anything. The trucks can even fly up to 125 to 130 feet in distance.

Competition commences at 1 and 7 p.m. today and takes place again at 1 and 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Q. We recommend ear plugs. 

Youtube video
Youtube video

This article appears in Feb 15-21, 2017.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

One reply on “Backstage Pass: An Interview with Monster Truck Driver Bari Musawwir”

  1. There was a time when pro wrestling had a sponsorship connection with monster trucks — WCW Nitro, Stone Cold 3:16, Undertaker — and a 2001 interview with driver Chris Guzman (Undertaker/Kane) is worth an online view.

Comments are closed.