You’ve seen the big names. Grave Digger, Max-D, El Toro Loco—the corporate giants of the Monster Jam circuit that seem to have an endless supply of fiberglass bodies and spare axles. But then there’s the Jurassic Attack monster truck. It’s different. It’s a bright green, scaly, three-horned beast that looks like it crawled out of the Cretaceous period just to crush a 2004 Chevy Cavalier. It isn’t just another truck; it’s a staple of the independent scene that has survived longer than most "flavor of the week" licensed bodies.
Honestly, the staying power of this rig is kind of impressive. In a sport where teams go bankrupt or get absorbed by Feld Entertainment every other year, Jurassic Attack has remained a consistent draw for families. It’s the truck kids point at first. Why? Because it’s a dinosaur. It’s that simple. But behind the prehistoric aesthetic is a history of grit, independent ownership, and the kind of mechanical evolution that keeps a chassis competitive against the multimillion-dollar teams.
The Evolution of the Beast
The story of the Jurassic Attack monster truck is largely the story of Don Frankish and the Frankish Motorsports team out of Alberta, Canada. Don didn't just wake up one day and decide to build a dinosaur; he built a brand. The truck debuted in the late 1990s, a time when the monster truck industry was transitioning from heavy, leaf-sprung tanks to the high-flying, nitrogen-shock-absorbing athletes we see today.
Early on, the truck wasn’t the polished specimen you see in modern 4K YouTube clips. It was raw. The original 1997-era Jurassic Attack featured a more "boxy" dinosaur look compared to the sleek, aggressive lines of the current 3D body style. Over the years, the truck has gone through several iterations. We’ve seen it on various chassis, including a Patrick Enterprises frame, which is basically the gold standard for independent racers who want to actually survive a 30-foot vertical jump without the truck snapping in half.
People often forget how much work goes into keeping a "dino" truck looking good. Those horns? They’re a nightmare. Every time a driver like Tim Hall or Colton Kiser rolls the truck—and they roll it a lot—those fiberglass horns are the first things to go. Watching a pit crew frantically fiberglassing a Triceratops nose back together between a 2:00 PM matinee and a 7:30 PM main event is a masterclass in stress management.
Technical Specs That Actually Matter
If you’re looking at the Jurassic Attack monster truck and thinking it’s just a shell, you’re missing the point. Underneath that green skin is a methanol-chugging monster. Most iterations of the truck run a 540-cubic-inch big-block Chevrolet engine. We are talking about 1,500 horsepower, give or take, depending on the blower setup and the humidity in the arena that day.
✨ Don't miss: When Was the MLS Founded? The Chaotic Truth About American Soccer's Rebirth
It’s loud. It’s violent.
The suspension is where the magic happens. It uses 26-inch travel Cohen or Patrick shocks. Think about that. Two feet of travel. That is the only reason the driver doesn't have a crumbled spine after landing a leap over a stack of cars. The tires are the standard 66-inch BKTs or Firestones, hand-cut to shave off weight. Every pound matters when you're trying to get a 10,000-pound animal to backflip.
Why Independent Teams Like Frankish Matter
There is a weird tension in the monster truck world. You have the "league" trucks and the "independents." Jurassic Attack is the king of the independents. Because it isn't owned by the massive production companies that run the biggest tours, the team has more freedom in where they compete. You’ll see them at Monster Jam one weekend, then at a small-town fair the next, then headlining a Monster Truck Mania event in Canada.
This flexibility is why the Jurassic Attack monster truck has such a massive geographical footprint. It’s a traveling ambassador for the sport. Don Frankish and his crew—including Nathan Weenk and other notable drivers over the years—have kept the truck relevant by being accessible. You can actually talk to these guys at the pit parties. They aren't behind a velvet rope.
The "Dinosaur" Rivalry
It’s impossible to talk about Jurassic Attack without mentioning the other prehistoric heavy hitter: Megalodon. While Megalodon has the massive marketing machine behind it, Jurassic Attack has the seniority. There’s a certain segment of the fanbase—the purists—who prefer the Triceratops. There’s something more "classic" about it. It’s a land-dweller crushing cars, which feels more aesthetically correct than a giant shark flying through the air, though kids usually love both equally.
🔗 Read more: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Driving a Legend: It’s Not Just Point and Shoot
Driving the Jurassic Attack monster truck is reportedly a handful. Because of the weight distribution of the dinosaur body—specifically those heavy front horns—the truck can be nose-heavy. If a driver isn't careful on the throttle when leaving the ramp, the truck will "lawn dart" straight into the dirt.
You’ve got to have "rear-steer" mastery to handle this rig. For the uninitiated, monster trucks have a toggle switch for the back wheels. The driver is essentially operating two different steering systems simultaneously while being bounced around like a pebble in a tin can. Seeing Jurassic Attack save a sideways landing by counter-steering the rear wheels is a highlight of any freestyle run.
Moments That Defined the Truck
One of the most iconic things about the Jurassic Attack monster truck isn't a single win, but its durability. It has survived the grueling "winter tours" where trucks are run four days a week in different cities.
- The 2010s Expansion: This was when the truck really solidified its "3D" look, moving away from painted fiberglass to a more sculpted, textured skin that looks like actual scales.
- The World Finals Appearances: Whenever an independent truck like Jurassic Attack gets the invite to the World Finals in Las Vegas (or more recently, Orlando), it’s a big deal. It’s a validation that the truck isn't just a "show" piece—it’s a performer.
- The Canadian Pride: Being one of the most famous trucks out of Canada, it carries a bit of national pride. Don Frankish basically put Canadian monster trucking on the map with this vehicle and his other truck, Maniac.
The Reality of the "Monster" Business
Let’s be real for a second. Running a truck like Jurassic Attack is a financial black hole. A single tire costs over $2,500. A broken axle can set you back $3,000. A full engine rebuild? Don't even ask. The team survives on merchandise sales—those little green plastic trucks you see at the kiosks—and appearance fees.
The Jurassic Attack monster truck is a business as much as it is a sport. The reason the body stays as a dinosaur is because "dinosaur" sells. It’s a brand that doesn't require a movie tie-in to be understood. A three-year-old in any country in the world knows what a Triceratops is. That is pure marketing genius that has kept the Frankish team in business for decades while other "cool" trucks from the 90s are now just rusting frames in a scrapyard.
💡 You might also like: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think these trucks are "fake" or the outcomes are scripted like pro wrestling. While the entertainment is the priority, the physics are very real. When the Jurassic Attack monster truck hits a ramp at 40 mph, there is no script that determines if the tie-rods will hold. If the driver misses a shift, they lose. If they flip, they’re out.
There’s also the misconception that it’s always the same guy driving. In reality, several talented drivers have stepped into the Jurassic seat. Each brings a different style. Some are "mothership" drivers who play it safe to keep the truck in one piece for the next show. Others are "wild cards" who will tear the body off the frame if it means getting a 40-point freestyle score.
The Future of the Triceratops
As we look toward the next few years, the Jurassic Attack monster truck is facing a new challenge: electrification and environmental shifts in motorsports. While we are a long way from an all-electric monster truck being the norm, the "noise" and "smell" of a big-block Chevy are becoming rarer commodities.
However, the Jurassic brand is resilient. There have been rumors of more trucks being added to the fleet or new body styles based on different dinosaurs. But the Triceratops is the icon. It’s the "OG" dino truck.
How to See Jurassic Attack in Action
If you want to catch the Jurassic Attack monster truck in person, you have to look beyond just the major stadium tours. Because it is an independent rig, it often headlines "Monster Truck Chaos" or "All-Star Monster Truck" events.
- Check the regional fair schedules: This is where Jurassic Attack truly shines, often performing in tighter spaces where the driver’s skill is more visible.
- Pit Parties are a must: This is the only way to see the scale of the truck. Standing next to a 66-inch tire makes you realize how much engineering goes into this prehistoric beast.
- Support the Merch: Buying a Jurassic Attack shirt directly from the team’s trailer actually helps keep the truck on the road. Unlike the big corporate trucks, that money goes straight back into the fuel tank and the fiberglass repair kit.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you’re serious about following this truck, don't just wait for it to pop up on TV. The world of independent monster trucks moves fast.
- Follow the Drivers: Keep tabs on guys like Colton Kiser or the Frankish Motorsports social media pages. They often post behind-the-scenes footage of the "thrash"—the frantic repairs that happen at 2:00 AM in a hotel parking lot.
- Look for Small Venue Shows: Seeing Jurassic Attack in a small hockey arena is a completely different experience than a stadium. The sound of the engine bouncing off the walls is something you’ll feel in your teeth.
- Learn the Chassis: If you're a gearhead, start looking at the frame designs when the body is off during the pit party. You can see the evolution of the triangulated 4-link suspension that makes these 10,000-pound leaps possible.
Jurassic Attack isn't just a relic of the past. It’s a living, breathing, car-crushing example of how a great idea—and a lot of green paint—can create a legacy in the loudest sport on earth. It’s a survivor, much like the creatures it’s modeled after, and it doesn't look like it’s going extinct anytime soon.