BATESVILLE — A new Franklin County 4-H Fair grandstand event promises to delight audiences and add to the excitement of fair week.

The NAPA Auto Parts Toughest Monster Truck Tour will be at the Brookville fairgrounds Monday-Tuesday, July 16-17, at 8 p.m.

J.R. McNeal, one of the tour’s stars, says attendees “are definitely going to have a good time. They’re not going to be bored. They’re going to be on the edge of their seats.”

The Florida resident who builds his own trucks, including Razin’ Kane, which he will be driving in the competition, and his new one, Ice Cream Man, will give fans something to cheer about. He believes, “Building my own trucks gives me an advantage.

“I have a beautiful truck. It’s pretty much high tech and works very well when competing.”

He got his start “racing in the mud in Florida.

“Then we decided to step it up a little bit because we wanted to do something different because it was getting boring riding around in the mud.

“We built a monster truck and did one show. Then the phones were ringing off the hook .... Now I’ve been driving for 15 months.”

The 43-year-old reports his travels have taken him “from Mexico to Canada and all across the United States.” He enjoys “meeting new people, seeing new cultures .... I was in foster care, and I didn’t get to experience things in life like going on vacation with my family like a lot of other kids did. I like seeing the country.”

The five monster trucks (Razin’ Kane, Ice Cream Man, River Rat, Heavy Hitter and Tailgator) will participate in three events: “wheelie, where you see how far you can get the truck vertical, racing and freestyle.”

McNeal announces, “The good thing about monster trucks is it’s kind of a family event, where you get to spend time together. It’s going to be a high-tense show.”

 TRUCK TOUR

1. The NAPA Auto Parts Toughest Monster Truck Tour is Monday-Tuesday, July 16-17, at 8 p.m. at the Franklin County 4-H Fairgrounds, Brookville. Tickets are $15 for one show or $25 for both events. Advance tickets are available at area FCN Bank locations. They can also be purchased at the gate.

2. A parade featuring three of the monster trucks will be  held Sunday, July 15, at 3 p.m.

3.  Fans holding a pit pass and an event ticket will be allowed onto the track before each show. Free pit passes are available at Voegele Auto Supply, Batesville, or Brookville Automotive.