All fired up as monster trucks roll into Birmingham for shows

Next week, the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ tour rolls into the Midlands with its new theme for 2025: Glow-N-Fire with two shows at Utilita Arena Birmingham on April 4, 5 and 6.

It promises the same level of fun and excitement that fans have come to expect, but with an added fiery twist.

Conceived in 1968 by an innovator, a rocket scientist and a car designer, Hot Wheels 1:64 scale die-cast cars were designed to look great and perform. 

Five decades later, Hot Wheels, produced by toymaker Mattel, is the number one selling toy in the world with more than 16.5 cars sold every second. 

The brand has evolved from a simple, yet beloved, toy car with orange track system into a global franchise powerhouse. 

Now fans can see their favourite toys come alive at the arena show which promises entertainment for all the family.

During Glow-N-Fire audiences will see their favourite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks including Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, HW 5-Alarm™, Bone Shaker™, Bigfoot® and Gunkster™, as well as the new Skelesaurus™, the giant that unleashes his fossil fury.

Each performance will combine iconic jumps and stunts with all of the epic crashing and smashing monster truck fans know and love.

There will also be speciality acts such as the superstars of freestyle motocross and fans will also witness a special appearance from the fire and frost-breathing, transforming dragon ARCTICGON. Before every show, fans have the chance to participate in the all-new Crash Zone/Power Smashers Pre-Show Party.

They get access to the arena floor where they can get up close and see the outrageous designs and epic size of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks along with autograph signings from their favourite drivers and performers. 

Among those who will be taking driver’s seat is emergency trauma nurse Rebecca Schnell, who was introduced to driving monster trucks by her husband and fellow driver, Darron.

In 2020, Rebecca became the first female driver on the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour and since then has wowed fans with fearless performances and made history with a freestyle win in Copenhagen, Denmark.

For the latest tour, Rebecca, who was born in North Carolina, is driving the legendary Bigfoot, which this year is marking its 50th birthday.

“My truck is based off of a 1979 Ford F250 with its iconic blue metallic and golden year gold highlight,” she explains. It was through Bigfoot that Rebecca, who had grown up watching monster truck shows first met Darron, who was attending an event with the iconic at a tire shop in North Carolina.

Darron has been driving competitively since 2008 after first getting his foot in the door by volunteering with a team. He fulfilled a childhood dream to race, perform stunts behind the wheel of the impressive vehicles and entertain the crowds.

Now the couple get to work and tour alongside each other and share the experiences of touring the world. “It’s honestly the best,” says Rebecca.

“Not too often do you hear of couples being able to travel the world, work, and make incredible memories together. We love exploring the countries we travel to,” she adds.

One of the highlights of touring for Rebecca is meeting the fans, who get the chance to see the truck up close and personal before each performance.

Explaining how she prepares for a show, she says: “I start my day with a good dose of coffee, mostly from a local coffee shop, then begin getting in the zone during our Power Smashers Pre-Show by signing autographs, giving high fives and smiles to the Hot Wheels fans In the queue.

“The final zone entrance happens at the start of the show when the lights drop and the likelihood of catching me doing a little dance is high.”

There are lots of reasons why Rebecca loves being a Hot Wheels Monster Truck driver. “I enjoy the travel opportunities, the adrenaline my body feels from driving the truck, but most of all meeting incredible Hot Wheels fans and making core memories to last a lifetime,” she says.

Rebecca’s advice for other women who fancy having a go at driving monster trucks is: “Do it if you get the opportunity! Seize it and go! No dream is too big to chase and happen. It might take you a while.

“It took me seven years of constantly showing up before I got my seat, but don’t quit,” she says. When Rebecca isn’t driving monster trucks, she returns to the hospital wards to care for patients.

“I actually just worked a couple shifts on our small break,” she explains.

“Nursing was my first love/career. I won’t ever give it up. I am incredibly grateful for bosses of both professions in extending grace and allowing me to do both,” adds Rebecca.

“We are thrilled to bring Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™: Glow-N-Fire to life in 2025,” said Julie Freeland, VP of Global Location Based Entertainment at Mattel. “Fans will get to experience exciting new effects and stunts in this exhilarating show. “We’re looking forward to welcoming families to the show and bringing a new experience to fans.”

For tickets, visit www.utilitaarenabham.co.uk/whats-on/hot-wheels-monster-trucks-live and for more information about the show, seehotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com