Grave Digger is the world's best known monster truck. With it's high-speed racing, insane freestyle, and awe-inspiring crashes, Grave Digger guarantees to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

 

Back in 1981, in an old garage in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, Dennis Anderson created a monster. Originally, Anderson pieced together his machine from old parts of discarded vehicles. The original "mud-bogging" truck was supported by the corroded chassis of a 1952 Ford pickup and ran on the innards of a high-performance Chevy engine. Although his competitors had the advantage of high-tech equipment, Anderson boasted to them I'll take this old junk and dig you a grave." With these words the legend of Grave Digger was born.

 

The most recent Grave Digger, Grave Digger XIX, is a colossal improvement on the original monster. Bearing the ghostly image created by painter Fred Bumann, it is a machine to be reckoned with. To help Grave Digger absorb the landing after a 100-foot jump, it has nitrogen shock absorbers, creating a massive 26 inches of travel. In order to take flight, Grave Digger has a 540 cubic inch blown alcohol injected Chevrolet Big Block engine, which produces approximately 1500 horsepower. This engine is the same that you would see in the top NHRA drag racing vehicles. The drive train is also composed of a custom built transmission that is literally bulletproof. The 10,000 pound monster crushes cars like ants with 66 inch Goodyear "Terra Tires".

To maintain a truck like this is no easy task, especially if you have seen Grave Digger in action. The cost of one truck is nearly $250,000 including over $100,000 in spare parts such as engines and transmissions. The engine alone costs $50,000. The sport of monster truck racing is brutal on the trucks and demands constant repairs, which keeps the Grave Digger team working around the clock.

At home on the beaches of the southeastern United States, Anderson's fame is a product of his never-say-done, never-say-quit, never-say-can't attitude.

Rounding the corner on his 43rd birthday this year, Anderson spent most of this year recupearting from an injured hand.

He spent early fall 2003 helping FEMA clean up after hurricane Isabel when his beloved Outer Banks were pummelled by 90-110 mile-per-hour winds.

Grave Digger is the most popular truck in monster truck racing history. In the year 2003 alone, Grave Digger raced in roughly 80 cities, and traveled to many more for promotional appearances. To see Grave Digger live in action, tear down to the next U.S. Hot Rod Monster Jam at an arena or stadium near you!

What did you do before racing monster trucks?	Worked on a farm
What's the best thing about being a monster truck driver?	It's big and bad and you can drive over just about anything with them!
Career highlights? First Win?	My 1st win was in 1986 beating Bigfoot on National TV. That was a huge step for me. From 1986-1989 I had a big jump in my career.
Give 4 separate words that describes racing monster trucks.	Big, Bad, Awesome, Crazy
Describe what it is to be a monster truck driver in one sentence.	To be a monster truck driver there are some pressures but the adrenaline rush & excitement makes it worth it.
Give 4 separate words that describe you.	Mischevious, Fun, Bad Boy, Good Guy
What is the best part about signing an autograph for a child?	The kid actually asking for "your" autograph is probably the most thrilling part of it. The light in their eyes makes it worth it.
What do you do to prepare for a new season?	Get the truck ready, disassemble the truck to repaint it and re-powder coat it, tighten nuts and bolts and finally bring the truck out with a new face. I try my best to stay clam and cool in my truck because the fans have the ability to drive me out of control sometimes. I have to drive during the race, but its the fans who help me in freestyle!
Whats your favorite stop on the tour?	I like the smaller places like West Lebanon because they have a lot of history and its an outdoor venue. New Orleans, however, would be my favorite dome/stadium.
Are you working on anything new right now?	My sons truck - Son Uva Digger for 2005
Whats the best thing about your truck?	The body style, I love the body style and the paint job. I don't just love 1 thing about it, I love the body, the paint job, the name and it's wild, driving style!
What gets you pumped to compete?	The fans, definitely the fans!
Where are the best fans?	We have good fans every where. I can't take anything away from them. They just get bigger and better everywhere we go!
Best advice to kids who want to become monster truck drivers?	Be cool and stay in school! Watch and learn from other races and drivers.