BKT celebrates decade with Monster Jam, renews deal

CHENNAI, India—Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) and Feld Motor Sports are celebrating a decade of Monster Jam sponsorship, one that will continue until at least 2031.

BKT recently announced it had extended its partnership for another seven years.

BKT has provided specially made tires for the Monster Jam trucks since 2014. The most recent model, the FL 354, is the fourth generation of tires specifically designed for Monster Jam.

"I am proud to say that our relentless commitment to research and development enables us to conceive and produce cutting-edge tires that are specifically designed for Monster Jam and also able to successfully tackle any challenge off the road," Dilip Vaidya, BKT president and director technology, said. "At BKT, it is a top priority making sure that our customers receive outstanding products of excellence. We constantly strive to exceed all expectations, providing tires that stand out for performance and reliability on any type of terrain and in any condition."

According to BKT, the FL 354 tire has several modifications on its predecessors:

• The tire's width has been reduced to ensure there is enough space to avoid any contact with vehicle parts or any damages to the shock absorbers when the truck touches the ground after a stunt, taking into account the increased deflection at the moment of the ground impact.
• To ensure better rolling, the tire shape is more "rounded" while maintaining the same overall tire diameter.
• The tread depth has been increased in the central area for improved traction and durability. Further tire development has involved a decrease of the tread depth in the shoulder area to reduce sinking into the ground, especially while cornering.
• Extra blocks have been added to the pattern in the support zone under the shoulder area to provide enhanced traction after the truck lands in tilted condition, or even on two wheels on one side, enabling it to rapidly regain the position.
• The tires are designed to cope with intense mechanical stress and impacts by increasingly extreme stunts during Monster Jam competitions.

"For more than a decade and growing, BKT and Monster Jam have partnered to produce the most technologically advanced Monster Jam truck tire specifically designed to withstand the grueling punishment of the tremendous forces applied during our competition," Bill Easterly, vice president of fleet operations/development for Monster Jam, said.

BKT's goal is to balance advanced performance with safety, which the company said it has achieved through a rigorous feedback cycle, testing and ongoing fine-tuning, supported by research and development activities.

"Each new iteration has been a step forward in BKT's mission to pushing the limits and provide Monster Jam drivers with the best possible experience, even while facing the most extreme stunts that constantly force the limits of tires," the company said.

Monster Jam trucks are currently fitted with BKT tires that are around five and half feet high and weigh 465 pounds.

The tires are kept at an inflation pressure of about 1.6 bar to ensure a number of abilities and benefits, such as shock absorbing when landing after jumps and stunts as well as increasing the footprint to improve traction and reduce slippage.