Monster Truck firm issues statement over 'rip-off' event with just one truck

Yahoo

12 hours ago

A Monster Truck company has explained why an event billed as an "adrenaline-pumping action" ended up being slammed as a "rip-off".
People flooded to the Wolverhampton event to ultimately find only one truck made an appearance.
The "Motorfest" organised by RA Monster Events was hyped up as a weekend filled with "jaw-dropping stunts, heart-racing races, and massive tyre-crushing action".
Thrill-seekers and families shelled out £19 per ticket for the two-day spectacle at Wolverhampton Racecourse the previous weekend.
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However, attendees have labelled the event a "flop", with scores of disgruntled customers clamouring for refunds.
A statement on RA Monster Event's Facebook page pointed the finger at a former truck partner for pulling out of the event at the eleventh hour.
They stated: "The decision to withdraw was made solely by the ride truck operator.
"While we respect their right to make their own operational decisions, we must firmly correct the record: our event fully met all agreed safety and operational standards.
"RA Monster Events is committed to delivering an unforgettable and safe experience for families across the UK."
Footage circulating on social media depicts the lone monster truck struggling to mount just two cars in the central arena.
Disappointment also stemmed from a fleeting eight-minute display, while all truck ride-alongs were scrapped due to "operational issues".
Bewildered spectators reported that announcers informed them the vehicles had difficulty with the "terrain", despite the area being predominantly level.
Patrons recounted how one truck merely looped around what looked like a "dusty car park" before driving away.
Local resident Shannon Hipgrave, hailing from Penn in Wolverhampton, forked out £85 for five tickets to bring her two year old son, who adores trucks, and relatives to the show.
She expressed her frustration: "We queued longer to get in the place than we stayed there, there was nowhere to sit and we couldn't see a thing.
"The event was such a let down, it was an awful experience."
Another parent who attended the event with her brood mentioned that the commentators repeatedly excused the trucks' performance, citing their "limited" capabilities due to the terrain.
The 43 year old woman, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed her disappointment: "It kept being mentioned by the commentator that the terrain limited them in what they could do."
She noted a missed highlight from the event's promotion: "They had advertised a stunt man jumping on fire in the promotional videos, but that didn't occur. I am assuming it was due to it being slightly windy that day, so unsafe."
Regarding attempts to get a refund, she said: "It may be worth mentioning also, that on the Saturday we attended, I called the ticket provider to see if we could recoup the money back, and was advised I would have to the events organiser directly."
Despite following instructions, her efforts were met with silence: "I submitted a message, as instructed, and have not heard anything back as of yet."
She recounted the promises made by the organisers: "The organiser promised several different acts comprising of bikes, stunts, and the biggest act being the monster truck. Also, there was supposed to be ride on monster trucks."
However, the reality fell short of expectations: "The acts were quite disappointing, seemed very limited and short."
She detailed the lengthy delays between performances: "The wait time for acts to be set up and started ranged from 40 mins, through to the longest wait being over an hour for the finale monster truck act."
The climax of the event was underwhelming: "The final act only lasted eight minutes total after waiting over an hour. An announcement was also made to say that there were no ride-on monster trucks."
Another anticipated stunt was absent: "There was also no stunt involving a stunt man jumping off a platform on fire, and shown in the promotional video."
She disclosed the cost of her experience: "I paid for four tickets at a total cost of £55.30."
Stef McArber, who attended the event with their spouse and two kids, was left feeling misled after expecting a demolition derby-style spectacle.
The 45 year old recounted their experience: "I felt deceived that the 'show' was portrayed as a lot larger and involved a lot more than it actually did, and that certain things were missing, such as the ride on monster trucks."
However, the family's excitement turned to disillusionment when they realised the truck display was a mere eight minutes long and a forklift had to reposition some of the vehicles.
McArber expressed their dissatisfaction, saying: "It should've been on grass or tarmac, the ground surface was awful. Its nothing like it was billed."
They continued, lamenting the disarray: "It was just a shambles, the kids were really disappointed.
"The most disappointing thing was the venue and the lack of organisation. A dusty, dirty carpark essentially."
McArber also highlighted the uncomfortable conditions: "Then the heat was unreal, there was nowhere to sit, no real shade and a bottle of water was £2.
"We waited so long in the heat between the performances, it was very difficult keeping the kids entertained without spending more money."
Describing the anticlimactic end, McArber said: "The worst party of the experience was probably the finale, the monster truck. One truck driving round and round and crushing four cars for around eight minutes.
"When it drove off I was expecting another one to appear. I couldn't believe that was the end of the 'show'."
Reflecting on the cost versus the experience, McArber stated: "We got early bird tickets, £12 each so £36 for the three of us, the 4 month old was free.
"But the truck was not impressive at all. There were lots of broken cars all lined up when we arrived.
"We were expecting a demolition Derby type experience, lots of noise and crushing cars - our four-year-old was so excited.
"Before the monster truck show a forklift started moving the cars out the way.
"He moved four to the middle and when the truck finally arrived it drove round and round and over the cars - it was so disappointing and all felt a bit flat."
Another mum expressed: "We left before even seeing the one and only monster truck as it was over 40 minutes late and we got fed up of watching them water the ground.
"I have requested a refund but heard absolutely nothing back, but reading through past events this is an occurring theme."
Robert Cooper shelled out £32 to take his wife and son to an RA Monster event in Great Harwood, Lancashire, in June, but said it was "far from what was advertised".
The father voiced that the packed spaces and cramped conditions made him feel unsafe and the stunt shows were absent.
He stated: "I graft hard all week and look forward to the weekends with my two-year-old son and doing fun exciting stuff."
UK Monster Truck Rides, which provided trucks for the organisers, announced its decision to withdraw from the show and any future RA Monster's shows, alleging the "minimum requirements" were not fulfilled.
RA Monster Events is staging shows across the nation in the summer including Tewkesbury, Norwich, Great Yarmouth and St Albans.