Bear Foot (Paul Shafer) was a series of monster trucks and name owned by Paul Shafer, driven by numerous drivers under Paul Shafer Motorsports on multiple different trucks.
Since 1997, after buying the truck and name from Fred Shafer, Paul Shafer has usually campaigned Bear Foot as a Dodge Ram or as a Chevrolet and has almost always painted the truck red, in honor of the truck's last design under Fred's ownership. Different versions and paint jobs have debuted since Bear Foot was bought by Shafer, but the main Bear Foot chassis has almost always run as Bear Foot, unlike its two identical sister chassis, both of which were also acquired from Fred Shafer.
On January 27th 2022, all three trucks were sold to James Trantina, along with Paul Shafer Motorsports itself.
Bear Foot has competed most prominently in Monster Jam and many other promotions under Paul's ownership, and was one of the team's most successful and recognizable trucks, not to mention one of the most recognizable trucks of the 90's/2000's. Bear Foot has appeared in the video games: Monster Truck Madness, Monster Truck Madness 2, Monster Truck Madness 64, and Monster Truck Destruction.
History[]
- 1997 - Bear Foot is purchased from Fred Shafer, being trucks 12-14. Todd Frolik is now the main driver. Richard and Shirley Patterson's Rampage continues to run as the fourth Bear Foot at most events.
- 1998 - Brian Womack's Bear Foot runs a scheme inspired by Mopar-sponsored NASCAR Trucks.
- 1999 - Brian Womack wins racing at the Motor Madness World Finals in St. Louis, MO. Paul buys Ground Pounder from Steve Woodard and turns it into Bear Foot the following year, driven by Scott Pontbriand. Todd Frolik leaves PSM to drive Grave Digger 12, with his Bear Foot becoming Richard Patterson's Monster Patrol.
- 2001 - Bear Foot debuts a new black and yellow scheme under BJ Johnson. Bear Foot also runs an American Flag design after participating in the music video for Kid Rock's Forever as American Bad Ass (Shafer).
- 2002 - Bear Foot is run as The Mummy Returns in Monster Jam under Larry Swim and BJ Johnson.
- 2003 - Bear Foot receives a newer Dodge Ram body, driven by BJ Johnson, which it would sport until its retirement. A Chevrolet retro themed design debuts, paying homage to Fred Shafer's design, under the name Bear Foot Old School.
- 2004 - Bill Wirth's The Mummy truck is run as another Bear Foot from 2004-2005.
- 2006 - James Tigue II wins the 2006 Amsoil Rock N' Monster Series points championship.
- 2007 - Bear Foot makes its final Monster Jam appearances, driven by James Tigue II.
- 2008 - Bear Foot competes for the final time under Paul Shafer Motorsports.
- 2022 - The name and trucks are sold to James Trantina III, who debuts his own version of Bear Foot in February.
Versions of Bear Foot[]
Like Monster Patrol and Carolina Crusher, Bear Foot was seen as one of the flagship trucks of Paul Shafer Motorsports, which lead to its likeness being adopted by many other teams.
- Bear Foot (2xtreme) - From 2001- 2005, 2xtreme Racing ran their own version of Bear Foot on the former Scarlet Bandit chassis, driven by Dave Woodcock and Daron Basl, best known for its violent crash at a show in 2001 in which the entire rear end was ripped out during a wheelie.
- Bear Foot 1 (Ace Fireworks) - In 2007, Ace Fireworks debuted their second Bear Foot truck, discontinuing it in 2008. It bears no resemblance to any traditional Bear Foot designs.
- Bear Foot USA (Ace Fireworks) - From 2004-6, Ace Fireworks debuted the first Australian Bear Foot, with the truck re-debuting in 2020, having run on multiple different chassis. It also bears no resemblance to any traditional Bear Foot designs.
- Bear Foot (Harper) - In 2020, Mike Harper debuted his own version of Bear Foot on the former Outlaw chassis, driven by Matt Cole.
- Bear Foot (King) - From 2003-2012, Don King ran his own version of Bear Foot and was one of the most recognizable Bear Foot identities of the 2000's.
- Bear Foot (Monsters On a Mission) - In the mid/late 2000's, Monsters On A Mission ran their own Bear Foot on the former Nail It chassis.
- Bear Foot (Phelps) - In 2019, Michael Phelps debuted his own version of Bear Foot, inspired by Fred Shafer's 1991 Bear Foot paint job.
- Bear Foot (Plecker) - From 2008-2012, Mac Plecker ran his own Bear Foot as an alter ego to Ballistic.
- Bear Foot (Donny Smith) - In the early-mid 2000's Donny Smith ran his own version of Bear Foot on Bad Influence II.
- Bear Foot (Rex Smith) - Rex Smith ran his own version of Bear Foot on Fatal Beauty.
Monster Jam World Finals appearances[]
- 1999 - Brian Womack (won racing)
Gallery[]
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