Sudden Impact is a custom "Offroad RC" bodied monster truck owned by the eponymous racing team out of Jefferson, Louisiana. Originally created by Tom Beitz, the truck was a staple of Monster Jam when it was under John Seasock throughout the early 2000's and was even a competitor of the first four Monster Jam World Finals. In 2004, the entire operation was sold to Brandon Lagarde, who owns it to this day. Since then, Sudden Impact has been driven by various drivers, with its most recent being Roddy Fahnestock.
From 2016-2025, the truck was on an indefinite hiatus. It is currently unknown if the rest of the team will return.
History[]
Background[]
Sudden Impact was originally created in late 1990 by Tom Beitz out of Catawissa, Pennsylvania. At the time of its creation, the truck originally ran a red paint scheme.
1992[]
The truck was sold to John Seasock, who ran the original paint scheme until 1995.
1996[]
John would purchase Storm Warning, and briefly run it with its leaf spring configuration before converting it to nitrogen long travel shocks and later coil over shocks. It was the first incarnation of the truck’s blue paint scheme.
1999[]
Seasock would acquire the Liquidator chassis from Robert Fisher, converting it into the third Sudden Impact.
2000[]
Sudden Impact would be one of sixteen trucks invited to compete at World Finals I.
2002[]
Sudden Impact debuted a new paint scheme featuring a white gradient on the front of the truck, and the logo was given the appearance of tearing through the truck’s body, and a checkered flag pattern added to the lower side panels.
Seasock and the truck would be invited to compete in the World Finals in both 2002 and 2003, with the latter being the truck’s final World Finals appearance.
2004[]
Sudden Impact would debut a brand-new design, based on a Traxxas T-Maxx.
2005[]
Seasock would sell the entire operation to Brandon Lagarde, before becoming the driver of the Traxxas T-Maxx. Following the purchase, Legarde would debut a new Sudden Impact, featuring an updated design and running on the former Wild Child chassis as well as the former Nitro Fish chassis the following year. Meanwhile, the previous chassis would be converted into Kicker.
2007[]
Fletcher Lewis drove the truck for select events. Later in the year Sudden Impact would campaign a matte black paint scheme. Lyle Hancock would briefly return to drive the truck in Israel.
2008[]
An all-new design would be unveiled. Kevin King would drive the truck for a brief period, which was also when the truck began running blue tires for select shows. Jon Zimmer would also drive the truck that year.
2009[]
Ben Winslow takes over the driving duties. David Fray would also have occasional sessions in the truck.
2010[]
The truck competes at only one event throughout the whole year, that being the Domination in the Dome event in Pontiac where Sean Duhon campaigned the name on the Cult Energy Activator.
2012[]
Sudden Impact debuted a brand-new design.
Hot Wheels "Then and Now" error[]
Sudden Impact was involved in an infamous error with the "Hot Wheels Then and Now" packs in 2012. Instead of being released alongside the original version of John Seasock's truck, it was released alongside the truck of the same name that was owned and driven by Greg Piontek from 1985-1990, which shared no relation other than the truck's name.
2013-2014[]
The truck would continue to run under various drivers including Robert Parker and Steven Hill until 2014, when Roddy Fahnestock took over the driving duties for the time being.
2015[]
Sudden Impact received an updated design, featuring a new Offroad RC body style with the previous paint scheme. Meanwhile, Chad Poston drives the truck in Amite.
2016-2018[]
Sudden Impact Racing would go on hiatus due to Lagarde focusing attention to other things, including racing offshore boats. Since then, Sudden Impact would be absent from competition, but would be used in exhibitions, including a mud-bogging event in October 2018.
2020[]
The third Sudden Impact chassis (which was formerly Liquidator) would be reacquired by the Seasock family, who are currently refurbishing the chassis for return to competition use. The truck will be rebranded as Violent Impact, but has yet to be completed as Kyle turned his main focus on other work.
2023[]
Another chassis would be sold to Chris Whatley, who would convert the truck into the current Mississippi Nightmare.
2025[]
The truck returns to competition with Roddy Fahnestock behind the wheel, primarily competing alongside Ground Pounder. Paul Craighead drives the truck in Baton Rouge, Louisiana & Dickinson, Maryland.
Drivers[]
Current drivers[]
- Roddy Fahnestock (2014-2015, 2025-present)
Former/temporary drivers[]
- John Seasock (1992-2004)
- Brandon Lagarde (2004-2015)
- Jon Zimmer Sr. (2007-2008)
- Kevin King (2008)
- Ben Winslow (2009)
- David Fray (2009)
- Steven Hill (2013)
Temporary/fill-in drivers[]
- Carl Van Horn (Des Moines 2006)
- Fletcher Lewis (2007)
- Lyle Hancock (Israel 2007)
- Sean Duhon (Pontiac 2010)
- Robert Parker (Denver 2012)
- Chad Poston (Amite 2015)
- Gary Stepp (Unknown)
- Casey LaDelle (Unknown)
- Ricky Ownley (Unknown)
- James Chandler (Unknown)
- Paul Craighead (Baton Rouge 2025)
World Finals appearances[]
| Year | Driver | Results | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | John Seasock | Qualifying: N/A | Racing: defeated in round 1 by Wrenchead.com | Freestyle: 9th (26) |
| 2001 | Qualifying: 7th (17.37) | Racing: defeated in round 1 by Bulldozer | Freestyle: 13th (19) | |
| 2002 | Qualifying: 7th (17.82) | Racing: defeated in round 2 by Bounty Hunter | Freestyle: 7th (24) | |
| 2003 | Qualifying: 10th (19.59) | Racing: defeated in round 2 by Wolverine | Freestyle: 7th (27) | |
Video game appearances[]
Trivia[]
- Sudden Impact's freestyle from World Finals II was removed from home releases of the event along with The Destroyer, due to the runs being too short, however, they were shown on the live PPV.
Gallery[]
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