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Monster Helps Recreate Iconic Jump
Posted by Stephen Skipper on 6/7/2017
to Monster Trans News
40 years ago, we were introduced to the wild, renegade driver known as Bandit. Played by Burt Reynolds, Bandit took up the task of protecting and delivering a truckload of illegal Coors beer to Atlanta in just over 24 hours. Along the way, he is chased by a relentless Texas sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) and other highway patrol officers. This movie was one of 1977’s biggest hits, coming only behind Star Wars by making over $300 million worldwide and was praised by fans and critics alike, prompting some to recreate the runs made in the movie themselves.
One of the most famous scenes from the movie came from Bandit gunning his car straight over a collapsed bridge and a river. This was done in a Pontiac Trans Am aided by a rocket booster, the same kind used by famous stuntman Evel Knievel in one of his own jumps. This scene has stood the test of time and is fondly remembered to this day, so much so in fact that it is being reenacted.
Taking place between June 22 & 24 in Jonesboro, Georgia, fans will gather to celebrate the history of the iconic cult classic. This includes tours of the filming locations, portrayals of favorite scenes, a car show at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and the jump itself, with the Bandit himself in attendance, taking place just mere feet away from the original site. For more information, please refer to the event site at www.thebanditjump.com
The Bandit Jump proceeds will be contributed to the Disabled American Veterans organization with a goal of $1 million. While this is a large goal, the event planners are confident in their expectations. DAV is a nonprofit charity devoted to providing support to veterans and their families, helping more than 1 million each year, from assisting them in everyday activities to supporting them financially with benefit claims.
Monster is proud to be partnered with this event, providing the transmission for the Trans Am that will be making the jump. Reynolds has already been by Monster and was thoroughly impressed by the job the teams were doing. While the original cars were infamously beaten and battered in the movie, our goal is to make sure Monster provides the absolute best and safest product for the team making the jump.