Visual Productions CueCore3 And Kiosc App Upgrade Monster Jam Driver Signalling

Feld Entertainment has overhauled the driver signalling system for Monster Jam, turning its lighting rig into a streamlined communications hub for races, stunts and recoveries.

The company has adopted the Visual Productions CueCore3 lighting controller and Kiosc control app to deliver a compact, robust set-up that can be deployed in venues of all sizes. Visual Productions is distributed exclusively in North America by ACT Entertainment.

At the heart of the workflow sits CueCore3 as the primary controller. "All the looks are programmed separately on an MA Lighting grandMA 3 console platform, and then we record those scenes onto the CueCore3," said Weber. "From there, everything is triggered through OSC commands from the Kiosc app running on Apple iPads."

The production previously relied on a basic three-light arrangement for starts and stops. According to Weber: "We wanted to modernize it and give the team more adaptability. The original system basically worked like a traffic light. The first yellow light tells the drivers to start their engines, and a second yellow tells them they’ve reached the starting line, because from inside the Monster Jam trucks it's hard to see where that line actually is. Then, a green light signals the start of the race."

With the CueCore3 platform, Feld replicated the familiar sequence while adding new cues to boost safety and event flow. "Now, we can add more signals that help communicate with the drivers and recovery teams," added Weber. "If a truck rolls over and we need equipment and technicians on the field, the lighting system can indicate that recovery is happening, so drivers know to stay put."

Beyond Racing, Monster Jam's Freestyle and Skills contests now benefit from visual time cues delivered via lighting, in addition to audio calls. "Monster Jam has traditionally relied on audio calls to alert drivers when there are 30 seconds left in a Freestyle run, which is when drivers tend to do their harder tricks to maximise their score," said Jayme Dalsing, Sr. Director of Global Operation for Monster Jam. "With this new technology, we’re now able to also give that cue visually, which allows drivers to better plan out the remainder of their run and optimize their time on the track."

Operators run Kiosc on iPads for a larger interface and flexible control. "We're using three different tabs in the Kiosc interface," added Weber. "The first tab is dedicated to Racing signals and the second handles Freestyle and Skills competitions. A third tab contains operational controls, like turning lights on and off or adjusting intensity."

Given Monster Jam's mix of indoor arenas and open-air stadiums, adjustable output is vital. "Being able to adjust brightness is incredibly useful," said Weber. "Inside smaller arenas, you don’t want to blind the drivers, but when you’re in a huge outdoor stadium in daylight, you need the lights to be much brighter. Having that control right in the Kiosc interface makes it easy."

Touring practicality also drove the choice of hardware. "It's a small package that’s easy to integrate,” adds Weber. “Since the Kiosc control is app-based, we can run it on hardware that’s widely available. If something breaks, it’s easy to replace."

For automation, CueCore3's GPI ports link to external relays so officials can mark when trucks are set on the line. According to Weber: "Each Monster Jam truck has track officials watching from the stands. They press a remote trigger that activates a relay tied into the CueCore3 inputs, which fires the yellow light that tells the driver they're at the starting line. It's another layer of control working alongside the Kiosc interface. Despite multiple control sources and complex event cues, everything works together with no noticeable delay."