Hometown man known for his unique work on monster trucks
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Rich Inman, owner of Concussion Engineering, is one of only three monster truck builders in the world and he lives right here in Randolph County.
Inman, a resident of Ellis Grove was born and raised in Ellis Grove. Inman came in contact with fame when he was approached to build a monster truck for Jesse James. Jesse James is a famous motorcycle builder from California. James' representatives approached Inman to build James a truck when Inman was at a monster truck event.
"His representatives gave me his card and said to give him a call because Jesse was interested in having me build him a truck,"?said Inman. "I called, and from there the deal was made."
Inman took the monster truck out to California two months ago for James.
"Jesse has a new show, Jesse James Is A Dead Man, coming out this summer and it will air on the Spike TV. I will appear on the seventh episode of that show. The episode will feature Jesse, me, and the monster truck. In the episode Jesse jumps the monster truck over a semi," said Inman.
Inman's passion for monster trucks has taken him to race in Tampa, Miami, Mexico and Australia. In total, Inman has been to eighteen countries. He is currently in the process of building a third monster truck for a man in Australia.
"I went to Australia for about a month and when I was over there racing I met a man who wanted me to build him a truck. I have built him two trucks and am working on a third one for him," said Inman.
With all his notoriety in the field of monster trucks, Inman still finds it important to stay connected to his hometown. Tom Moll, car show chairman approached Inman to be a sponsor. Without second thought, Inman agreed.
"I've known Tom all of my life, I have attended all of the car shows, and they have all been good. Especially the last four years, they have been done extremely well," said Inman. "Tom has worked very hard on this event, and if it wasn't for him the show would have faded away. I appreciate this opportunity to be a first year sponsor of this show," added Inman. Inman will bring the Jesse James truck to be on display during the car show.
The car show will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. The car show is held the 3rd Sunday in July annually. This year's show will be held on Sunday, July 19th at the Ellis Grove Firehouse grounds. Registration will be from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Judging starts at 12:00 noon and the winner presentation will be at 4:00 p.m. There is a $15 entry fee and a $5 display fee. The Ellis Grove Fire Department will be supplying barbeque and refreshments. Attendance prizes will include a set of tires from Thompson Tire in Perryville, MO, Computerized 2-wheel alignment by Bert's Auto Service in Chester and a Battery Charger by Auto, Tire and Parts in Steeleville and Chester. Total Eclipse Auto & Truck Accessories of Red Bud, Myers Cycle & RV Sales of Percy and Andy's Auto Body of Chester will all be sponsors of trophies.
"In 2008 we had over 230 entries of cars and motorcycles. We have been all over passing out flyers for this year's event. We expect more entries this year. You bring em' and we'll show em', " said Moll. "Last year we donated $1,000 to the Shriners organization, this year our proceeds will benefit Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis.
"Without my assistant Mike Weigher and the numerous community members who support this event through sponsorships and volunteering, this event would not be possible," said Moll. "I hope everyone comes out for this fun, family event."