WHO SAYS MONSTER TRUCKS AREN’T ROMANTIC?
The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour is bringing its action-packed, immersive experience to Europe! In addition to the awesome spectacle of the motocross bikers, Megasaurus and the Crash Zone, at the heart of the tour will be a married couple that thrives on the BIG, BAD and BOLD lifestyle of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour. Meet Darron and Rebecca Schnell, the husband and wife team and drivers of BIGFOOT and Hot Wheels Racing #1. Darron and Rebecca are ready to take Europe by storm!
How did the two of you meet?
Rebecca: Darron and I met in North Carolina at a Tire Shop where he was on display for Firestone at a neighboring town from where I grew up. I was headed into work and saw his truck, the Legendary BIGFOOT, sitting on display, went over to take a look and rebelliously climbed inside!
What is the best part about having your spouse with you on the job?
Darron: The hardest part of this job is that you are always traveling. You miss birthdays, anniversaries and every other major event. When my wife is with me, the biggest downside of this job fades away. I always joke that if she is with me, I could care less when I go home!
What excites you most about taking the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour to Europe?
Darron: The best part of this job is the people. I’ve traveled all over North America and met lifelong friends. I’m so excited that we get to experience different cultures and meet great people and learn how other people live.
Do you have any plans to do any sightseeing while you are on tour? If so, what are you most looking forward to?
Rebecca: Absolutely!!!! I am very excited to see what the cities have to offer, especially through sightseeing and food! I’ve been searching blogs and the internet and keeping a list of places we plan to visit!
Do you have a person in the sport, past or present, that you both really admire?
Rebecca: This is a very difficult question to answer. Since being in the sport with Darron for 10 years, I have gotten to know and admire quite a few individuals. The ones that I must mention are, of course, Bob Chandler and Dan Runte. It means so much to me to have both guys offering advice and support for my driving career. Dan has been so patient in teaching me, calming my nerves and answering all my questions.
Can you share one of your favorite experiences engaging with fans of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Tour?
Rebecca: The Crash Zone!!! It’s the best! You are able to get up close and personal with the fans! Talk and converse with them on their favorite things about monster trucks and what they are excited to see. I love when they bring memorabilia in that they have collected.
Darron: You really can’t boil this experience down to a single moment or moments. I can remember being the little kid walking up to drivers like they were larger than life. Now it is so surreal to be on the other side of that. To be considered a hero is a wild experience that has never gotten old.
Darron you’ll be driving the legendary BIGFOOT for the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live European Tour, Rebecca, you’ll be in control of the exciting Hot Wheels Racing #1. Is there any loving smack you’d like to talk to each other right now?
Rebecca: Absolutely but we are not as aggressive with it as you would think. Darron has 10 years under his belt and I am the rookie. As much as I want to kick his butt I have to be careful how much smack I’m handing out. We have talked about this many times and honestly as much as I’d like to win that Titan Cup, I already consider myself a winner simply because of the opportunity to drive, spend time with my husband and travel the world. It would be an added bonus to throw that cup up in the air for the fans!
Darron: We aren’t smack talking now, but I see how fast my wife is learning. I’m gonna have my hands full with her before the tour is over.
How fun is it to know you’re an inspiration to other couples that might want to get into motorsports together, and Rebecca how cool is it to be a role model demonstrating that monster trucks aren’t just for boys?
Rebecca: It’s fun to know that people look at us as an inspiration, but we are quick to add that it is not all rainbows and butterflies. It takes a lot of work from both of us to make this successful. For anyone seeking advice on the success of our relationship, the most important thing I could share is to communicate your thoughts, feelings, desires and needs with one another.
I most importantly want to show and add to the history in motorsports that women can work on AND drive these machines. I think it is very important to understand the physics of the trucks and the ability to pinpoint any problems that you may encounter.
