TRUCK NAME: Taurus
OWNER: Dave Turpin
Driver: Dave Turpin
Engine: 572 cubic inch Chevy Donavan
TOWN/CITY: Evansville, Indiana.
INFORMATION: The Taurus truck was originally owned by Jack Wilman. In April 98 Jack sold the truck to newcomer Dave Turpin. Jack Willman was one of the first monster truck drivers in the business, and along with Fred Shafer they built Bearfoot. Jack had built a number of Taurus trucks, and the one pictured above was one of his recent trucks. This photo was taken in Columbus, Ohio. Jack was the first monster truck driver to ever drive over two old school buses, that was back in 1985. The Taurus truck was also the first ever monster truck to be smashed up while not in use. The truck was being transported on the back of a lorry between shows, and was on it’s way to the Orange Bowl in Miami. But while on a routine driver change at the side of the road, another vehicle ran into the back of the lorry, and the original Taurus truck fell off, and was in need of major repair. Jack Has had 8 Taurus trucks, which he has driven himself, also his son Jack Willman jnr & his nephew Eldon Dephewalso have been drivers. The Taurus truck pictured above had a distinctive hood on it. The end portion of it, points down at an angle, giving the driver better visibility.
The Taurus truck has won two USHRA World Championship titles. Jack stopped racing in 1994 after he re-fractured his back, one year after breaking it doing some freestyle at a show.