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Story by Dwight Drum
Images by Gary Larsen
On a warm day in October Zoomster.com was privileged to have access to Daytona International Speedway for an interview with Bigfoot Racing driver Dan Runte. Dan was preparing for a race, a show of big power. We were inside the huge track to record his words before he punched a big engine to a bigger landing. Listen in, before the power blast, and catch a glimpse of Dan's personality. It takes much to punch the pedal of a monster truck; it takes more to win. Dan Runte is a winner with many because of his driving prowess and sunny demeanor, but we know and he knows, it takes more than a smile and skills to punch that pedal again and again. It takes lots to make a big truck fly, it takes more to make a big truck land. Learn more about the man, the smile, the feet behind Big Foot…Dan Runte…
"Even the first round is a tough round. It's an all-out-war. Lately, it's a lot like drag racing. You can't take any round for granted. Every round you advance pays, every round you don't…doesn't."
Home Town: St Louis, Missouri
What accomplishment would you want to be admired for the most?"In 1999, I jumped Bigfoot over a Boeing 727. It stands as the long jump record at 202 feet, and it's in the 2001 Guiness Book of World Records."
Who are your Heroes? (If you have heroes.)"I'm into NASCAR, and I've followed Dale Jarrett for a long time. He's a great racer, and if anyone wants to learn about how to treat a fan and not blow up, he's the one."
When driving a car, do you always wear a seatbelt?"Yes."
Do you have time for a hobby?"I used to before I started doing this, but water skiing is my hobby. We spend a lot of time on the road."
If you could make one part of your body stronger, what part would that be?"Probably my back. We do take a beating in many ways, but I'd say my back."
What quality do you admire most in other people?"Friendly and easy to talk to. A lot of what we do has to do with kids, and I love working with kids."
When frustrated. What do you do first?"Withdraw."
What mental routine prepares you for each run?"I just climb in the truck and strap in, and get to myself for a minute."
What are (or have been) your scariest moments?"I did a jump in Las Vegas shortly after the plane jump, I jumped seven cars and a tractor trailer long ways… for a TV show called 'I Dare You.' A fire was planned for the end of the jump, but the pyro-guy was early, and set off the fire at the back of the truck before I got there. It was a big fireball and the whole inside of the truck was full of fire. He basically lit me up, is what he did. We believe the concussion blew the back of the truck up in the air and drove the nose into the ground when it did land. The right front tire broke off. At sixty mile an hour at ten o'clock at night, it was scary. It looked good for the TV show, but from my perspective, it wasn't pretty…NOT!""
Where do you find the most peace in your life?"At home with my family."
"Honestly probably not much of anything, but from racing I've learned to watch for other drivers more than I would if I haven't done what I do for a living. I pay more attention to what's going on around me. When racing we're always paying attention, because you gotta expect the worst."
What do you worry about the most?"Up until the terrorist attack on the New York Trade Center, not very much. It's put a scare in me as well as everybody else, but I think we have the right President for the job."
If you could acquire three traits from three people, what traits would you take from whom?"I'm not sure what I'd like to take from someone else."
What do you fear?"Not much of anything."
What drives you? What's different about you?"The fans, the kids, and the competition. Without the fans and kids we wouldn't be here. Kids are growing up, and they see something positive and good, then hopefully they'll grow off of that…and that's a lot of my drive."
In a few words, how would you sum up…yourself?"Easy going. I love the competition, but I'm pretty laid-back. I enjoy having fun with other people."
Additional Comments?"I'd like to thank Bob Chandler, owner of Bigfoot Racing for giving me the opportunity for thirteen years. He's treated me well, and I've learned a lot, and been a lot of places. I took a truck to Australia in 1991, and in November I'm flying back to Australia. I owe Bob and our sponsors a lot. If it weren't for Bob I wouldn't be where I'm at."
ZOOMSTER ACKNOWLEDGES …
Big Thanks goes out to Dan Runte, Bigfoot Racing, and Daytona International Speedway…for providing us with a new definition for 'BIG'.
