Redondo Monster Truck Driver Visits NJ

Redondo Beach resident George Balhan never imagined himself working behind a desk. Instead, the Monster Jam driver sits behind the Mohawk Warrior—a 1,500 horsepower monster truck with 66-inch Terra Tires and a 540 CI Merlin engine.

Balhan brought his Mohawk Warrior to West Caldwell, N.J. on Thursday to talk to students in Essex County Vo-Tech High School’s automotive department.

The visit was one of many Monster Jam has arranged across the country to enlighten vo-tech students about the opportunities available to them, Balhan said.

“We think it opens a lot more doors for these kids,” he said, explaining that many crew members in the Monster Jam world came from vo-tech schools.

Balhan, with his razor-sharp black Mohawk, hails from Chicago and started out racing motocross. The Redondo resident said he never envisioned himself driving monster trucks, but by the attention he was getting Thursday from the students, he seems to have chosen the right career.

Balhan said he zigzags North America during the off-season talking to students and making appearances with the Mohawk Warrior.

He said the only thing he does is drive the truck. His three-mechanic pit crew works more than a 100 hours a week to prepare the Mohawk Warrior, which he then goes out and wrecks in a matter of minutes during competitions.

"I'm lucky I know how to start it," he joked.

The popular driver signed autographs, posed for pictures and answered students' questions about Monster Jam truck technology for about an hour. 

Balhan and the Mohawk Warrior will be appearing in Monster Jam events on the East Coast for the next several weeks. For schedules, visit monsterjam.com.

A version of this article originally appeared on in New Jersey.