TRUCK NAME: Samson
MAKE: 1998 Chevy Silverado/ 3-D design by GTS Fiberglass
OWNER/DRIVER: Dan Patrick
TOWN/CITY: Kingston, Ohio
ENGINE SIZE: 572 cubic inch Keith Black hemi
INFORMATION: Dan started out in multiple engine tractor pulls, at the age of 17. He moved on to modified tractor class, and had a funny car, which was called the Warlord. This was featured on a section, of the TV show, “The Battle of the Monster Trucks”. This machine became really popular & was >featured in a cartoon series called “SST Muscle Machines”.
It was also made into a replica model by the PLAYSKOOL Toy Company.
Dan formed a partnership with the COORS Brewery, & campaigned two funny cars for the COORS company.
In 1988, Dan bought the SAMSON Monster Truck, & competed in it.
In 1989 Dan began a career, working for BIGFOOT 4X4. He helped design & build the next generation of monster trucks, BIGFOOT 8 being the first of these trucks, along with 9 & 10. Dan also became a BIGFOOT driver, as well as still racing in his own truck, which was than called COORS EXTRA GOLD SAMSON. Dan no longer works for BIGFOOT 4X4, but is still involved in building chassis’ for the company & other BIGFOOT projects.
The first thing you notice about the Samson truck, is the the two big muscle arms on each side of the truck. The 3-D designed truck made it’s debut in January of 1993. The truck was built around the TV series American Gladiators.
In 1994 the truck came 5th in the televised Penda Points Series & was the first truck ever to break the 5 second mark at Bloomsburg. The truck came 10th in the 1996 Penda Points Series. Also in 1996 one of the Samson trucks was placed on permeant display outside the Race Rock Cafe in Orlando, Florida.
As well as building 12 complete trucks & 11 chassis’ for other drivers, Dan has also been the Rules Director for the MTRA since 1994.
Here is the highlights of Dan’s career:-
Dan started in motorsports at age 17 competing with multiple engine tractor pulls.
Feb 1984 – Participated in the first motorsports event in Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, driving KING CRAZY, the pulling Funny Car.
1985, Patrick’s, two wheel drive pulling funny car, WARLORD, became so popular that PLAYSKOOL Toy Company built a toy replica of the car.
In 1986, the first cartoon series, SST MUSCLE MACHINES, was produced by PLAYSKOOL Toy Company featuring “WARLORD”, the pulling Funny Car.
1986 – Dan was approached by the drag racing legend Tom “The Mongoo$e McEwen” to form a partnership along with Coors Brewery of Golden, CO. 1986 and 1987 found Dan campaigning two puller funny cars with great success.
1987 – Dan built and introduced the first dragster style puller.
In 1988 Dan extended his operation by purchasing the very popular SAMSON monster Truck and joined United Sports of America’s Motor Spectacular events as a competitor as the KEYSTONE Monster Truck and later the COORS EXTRA GOLD SAMSON® .
January of 1993, the all new 3-D body design of the SAMSON® muscle Monster Truck debuted, performing across the country gaining popularity with every show. The truck was built around the hit TV series, AMERICAN GLADIATORS.
1993, Dan received the Solid as a Rock Chevrolet award in the Monster Truck Division.
July 1994 – SAMSON®, was the first Monster Truck to break the 5 second barrier with a run of 4.983 at Bloomsburg, PA.
Dec. 1994 – Awarded the Monster Truck of the Year and Sportsmanship of the Year Award, by the MTRA (Monster Truck Racing Association).
Feb. 1996 – SAMSON® was selected to represent Monster Truck racing at the Grand Opening of the first motorsports theme restaurant, RACE ROCK CAFE, in Orlando, Florida. The truck is on permanent display inside the restaurant.
Fall 1996 – SAMSON® is featured in the first MICROSOFT computer CD ROM simulation game, Monster Truck Madness. MICROSOFT will be releasing Monster Truck Madness II in the spring of 1998.
Dec. 1996 – Awarded the Sportsmanship Award and the first ever, Wreck of the Year Award by (MTRA), resulting from the infamous rollover at Bloomsburg, PA.
Jan. 1997 – Participated in the first Prime Time Live Television coverage of a Monster Truck Motorsports event, “Motor Madness”, airing on The Nashville Network. For the second consecutive year, TNN will air Motor Spectacular events in 1998.
June 1997 – Awarded Patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington D.C., for the first 3-D Body design of the SAMSON® Monster Truck.
Fall 1997, SAMSON® was featured in an article printed in the Design News and Control Engineering magazines.
November 1997, Dan debuted the new and improved SAMSON® in Minneapolis, MN, with a totally new paint design!
December 1997, Dan was awarded the Monster Truck Association Safety Award and was elected to represent the Monster Truck Racing Association in the SFI Foundation, Inc.. (The SFI Foundations, Inc. Is a non-profit organization established to issue and administer standards for specialty/performance automotive and racing equipment.)
Dan has held the position of Monster Truck Racing Association Rules Director since 1994.