FORT WORTH – The following is an event recap from Thursday’s media event with Verizon IndyCar Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya and Robosaurus.
Montoya helped pilot the world’s largest transformer as the two wreaked havoc in downtown Dallas. Event Recap Verizon IndyCar Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya helped save downtown Dallas earlier today as he co-piloted Robosaurus to crushing a car instead of causing havoc near the iconic Reunion Tower.
Montoya helped the 30-ton, 40-foot tall, fire-breathing T-Rex transformer stay on track by doing what it does best – crushing cars. Robosaurus used its 28,000-pounds per square inch of jaw power to mangle and destroy a passenger car left in its wake in the Reunion Tower parking lot.
“The experience is pretty cool,” Montoya said. “It’s amazing how high you are when it stands up. From the inside you are way up there. When you lean over to grab the car you go, ‘Oh!’ It’s a little bit like a roller coaster. It’s a lot of fun. I think its pretty exciting. It’s one of those things that you normally don’t get to do.”
Montoya participated in the event in advance of Saturday’s Verizon IndyCar Series Firestone 600, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
Robosaurus will make its triumphant return to Texas Motor Speedway – last appearing at the 1.5-mile track in June 2004 – for an entertaining pre-race performance beginning at 6 p.m. on the frontstretch.
After devouring the passenger car for lunch, Robosaurus decided to show off, giving a number of Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex media members a ride around the parking lot.
Quoatable
“I think I’m a little nicer, not much.” – Juan Pablo Montoya on if Robosaurus embodies the same characteristics of the fiery Colombian driver. “It’s really exciting. It’s one of the coolest races we do all year. It’s our only night race. It’s a place where you can race side-by-side. It’s a place where you can pass – you can run low, the middle and anywhere. For an INDYCAR race it is going to be really, really exciting. It’s going to be a real exciting race. I’m really excited about it.” – Juan Pablo Montoya on this weekend’s Firestone 600 Verizon IndyCar Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
Robosaurus Fast Facts
Robosaurus is over three-times heavier than the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Robosaurus was invented in 1998 and built over a one and one-half year period at a cost of $2.2 million.
400 gallons of hydraulic oil flow through the veins of Robosaurus at 3,400 PSI.
Powered by 27 hydraulic cylinders with the largest ones pushing as much as 75 tons each.
A sophisticated hydraulic system allows Robosaurus to lift a car over his head and then crush it with 28,000 pounds per square inch of jaw pressure. Lasers shoot red and green beams out of his animated blinking eyes, an internal flame thrower allows Robosaurus to breathe fire and a powerful sound system fills the venue with his growls and roars.
If Robosaurus were to flex all of its hydraulic muscles at once he could generate three quarters of a million pounds of force.
Each stainless steel tooth is 1 ½ feet tall and exerts 75 tons of ripping power.
Over one ton of welding rod went into the building of Robosaurus. A pilot who sits in the cockpit in the robot’s cranium generates Robosaurus’ lifelike movements. Each of the pilot’s arms is placed in a cuff restraint system. When the pilot moves his arms and shoulders, Robo’s arms and shoulders move in the same direction. Finger controls open and close Robosaurus’ claws. Foot pedals act as both throttle and steering system, making Robosaurus move forward, backward and to the right and left.
Story, information and photos courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway Media Relations and Getty Images
