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'Each monster truck jump has the g-force of a car crash'

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Most fathers and daughters bond over shared activities like camping and hiking but for Georgina and Tony Dixon it is their shared love of monster trucks that brings them together.

Monster trucks have been part of 23-year-old Georgina's life since day one. Her dad bought his first monster truck, Swamp Thing, in 2003 - the year she was born.

Having grown up with the motorsport in Melksham, Wiltshire, Georgina has followed in her dad's footsteps and she is now thought to be the youngest female truck driver in the country.

"About two years ago, I started doing monster trucks full-time and I love it," she said. "It's absolutely amazing."

The pair are due to thrill crowds at Truck Fest South West at the Bath and West Showground in Shepton Mallet this weekend, performing stunts on the legendary Swamp Thing monster truck.

Performing all around the world, they take it in turns to perform arena stunts on the 12ft (3.6m) 4x4 vehicle, such as high-flying jumps, car crushes, slap wheelies and power donuts.

"The best bit for me is meeting all the fans," said Georgina.

"You get so much adrenaline, your hands start shaking as soon as you get out of the truck.

"Each jump in a monster truck has the same sort of g-force as a 30mph (48km) car crash.

"Obviously we have all the safety gear but that's the sort of forces you are expecting when you hit a car in a monster truck."

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Tony said he was inspired to own a monster truck as a boy watching television shows about monster trucks in the early 1980s.

"They would have them on Christmas Day specials," he said. "I'd rather watch the monster trucks than unwrap my presents."

Much like her dad, Georgina also loved monster trucks as a child.

In 2023, she officially earned her monster truck driving licence and she has since turned her passion into a full-time job.

Tony described monster truck driving as being "like a quad-bike on steroids".

He said: "It accelerates really, really fast.

"I've got some fast cars but the monster truck accelerates quicker than all the cars," he said.

What makes a monster truck so distinct, he said, was the "massive 66-inch tyres".

Measuring about 5ft (1.5m), the tyres are about the same height as Georgina and getting into the vehicle is not easy.

"The monster truck is made up of all these pipes and tubes and you essentially climb up the side of it because the truck has got no doors to climb in," said Georgina.

Driving a monster truck can also prove to be tricky, she said.

"With a normal car you've got front steering but on this we've got two forms of steering... back steering, which is controlled by a joystick, but, at the same time, you've got to drive the front wheels with a steering wheel.

"So you've got to be good at PlayStation or Xbox."

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Source: Yahoo Sports

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