Bryce Seivers poses by his mini-monster truck, “Juvenile Destruction.” Photo by Connie Voss

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – On March 15, Gridley residents were given a special treat, the Monster Truck Nitro Tour, with two shows at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Butte County Fairgrounds.

The event was well-attended, despite occasional sprinkles and wind for the spectators, and mud for the drivers.

During the intermission and after the end of the show, all attendees were invited to ride a monster truck, equipped with eight passenger seats in the truck bed. Children and adults of all ages eagerly stood in line to ride the truck at a price of $20 each.

Competitors had three divisions: Racing, Two Wheel and Freestyle. Drivers from many areas participated, including the show-stopping 10-year-old from Prineville, Oregon, Bryce Seivers. He was the youngest and most successful contestant at the event.

Seivers won first-place in the Two Wheel event and second-place in Freestyle for the afternoon show, and second-place in Two Wheel and first in Freestyle in the night show, swapping places with his friend, Rob Poutre, driving USA-1. Poutre won Best Truck, with Seivers in second-place and the Racing event. 

The Gridley Herald talked to Seivers and his mother, Amanda, after the autograph signing at the show’s end. This was Seivers’ fifth show with the mini-monster truck, “Juvenile Destruction,” owned by Team Kid KJ.  He has been driving monster trucks for one month.

Prior to that, Seivers drag raced since he was 2 years old. Amanda Seivers said that her son is homeschooled, which allows him the flexibility to be heavily involved in the sport. 

At the night show, Seivers attempted a back flip in the Two Wheel event, a feat that has never been successful in a mini-monster.

“He was pretty darn close!” said Amanda Seivers.

Asked if her son was hurt at all, she responded “Nope. No injuries at all. The trucks are so safe with the roll cages and harnesses.” 

After the flip, Seivers was determined to win the Freestyle event and beat Poutre in the USA-1 truck. So Seivers went right back out to drive harder and crazier. The determination paid off and he won the night Freestyle, with Poutre in second-place. 

“Rob (Poutre) says that Bryce pushes him to put on a better show and that Bryce is good competition for him,” said Amanda Seivers.

The next show that the Seivers will take part in will be on April 5 at Cow Expo in Sacramento.