| Jim Koehler completed Avenger in 1997. Both driver and truck were relative
unknowns until a breakout appearance at the USHRA Monster Jam in the Metrodome
in Minneapolis, MN in November, 1999. The event included the USHRA's first
judged freestyle competition, and Koehler scored a 29 out of a possible 30
points to finish behind Tom Meents in Bulldozer with a high-energy run that
showed influence from Meents and Dennis Anderson. When the event aired on TNN in
January, the run, combined with Koehler's high-energy pit interviews made him an
overnight star on the Monster Jam circuit.
Later that season, Koehler made the highlight reel again in the Superdome in New
Orleans, LA with a massive cartwheel crash in the final round of racing against
Rob Knell and NWO. That run added to Koehler's already growing reputation as a "wildman",
and it earned him a berth in the first ever Monster Jam World Finals thanks to
fan votes.
Koehler continued to maintain his wild reputation, however did not win many
freestyles due to often hurting the truck before the end of the allotted time.
Some also felt that he was underscored on freestyles due to early draws.
However, he was an annual World Finalist and is one of the few drivers to be
invited to all six. A body change from a Chevy S-10 to a 1957 Chevy Bel Air also
helped to increase his popularity. During this time he also expanded his team to
include Brutus, owned and driven by Chris Bergeron.
In 2003, Koehler won the biggest award of his career, the Monster Jam World
Finals Freestyle Championship. It pushed Koehler's popularity through the roof
and he has won several freestyles since.
Unlike other owner/drivers, the monster truck is not Koehler's primary job. He
owns and operates a marina near his hometown of Columbus, MI. Koehler's
freestyles are typically full of momentum and very hectic. He will often hit
obstacles at unconventional angles and will "cross-cut" the track similar to
Anderson and Meents. Avenger's soft suspension often leads to the truck getting
into contorted positions which other trucks cannot manage. Koehler uses this to
his advantage and his strongest move is his ability to save the truck from a
rollover, which results in long "side surf" two-wheel runs.
Off the track Koehler is well known for being fan friendly and for his
high-energy interviews. His nickname is "Mr. Excitement".
External Links
Avenger Racing - Official Website of the Avenger Monster Truck
Avenger 2006 Monster Jam World Finals Las Vegas, Nevada
Avenger 2005 Monster Jam Houston, Texas
More Hot Links:
Monster Jam: Maximum Destruction
A video game of the vehicular combat genre released in 2002 by Inland
Productions.
Monster
Jam: Maximum Destruction Game Profile
Get behind the wheel of the world's most famous monster trucks with a brutal
arsenal of weapons and go head-to-head in savage vehicular combat.
Maximum Destruction on Monster Jam Online
In a type of competition where speed means everything, this aerodynamic
futuristic SUV has an advantage right off the line.
Maximum Destruction Monster Truck Video
Maximum Destruction video clip from Monster Jam on Raceway Extreme Tube dot com.
Monster Jam Maximum Destruction game Reviews and Info
Avenger
from Wikipedia |
