ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Saturday, August 3, 16 buses will take over the Speedway at the U.P. State Fairgrounds for Armageddon on Wheels.
“Armageddon on Wheels is a figure eight race,” said event promoter Jennifer Spriks.
Spriks says the combination of a figure 8 track and large buses often leads to collisions.
“It’s a ten-lap race, but the more smashing and crashing for the crowd the better,” she said.
In the weeks leading up to the event every year, the buses begin to pop up around town. Each one is uniquely decorated.
“This is the fourth Cheshire Cat,” Spriks said of the bus pictured below. “There’s a lot of taking apart, painting, a lot of man hours going into one bus.”
With all the wear and tear they go through, most buses require some significant maintenance afterward.
“Everybody loves the crashing, rolling over,” said Spriks. “Some make it to the next year, but a lot of repairs and usually new buses when they race again next year.”
There’s more to see at Armageddon on Wheels than only the buses.
“We’re using 4 – 8-cylinder cars, 30 to 40 bump and run cars,” Spriks said. “The gauntlet race, we have bigger cars—usually a limousine—and the littler cars have to try and take that car out. Monster Truck Throwdown is coming with some monster trucks and also a ride truck, so anybody gets to ride on a real monster truck.”
Now in its 11th year, Armageddon on Wheels has become a favorite tradition among locals and visitors alike.
“There’s people coming from all over the place,” said Spriks. “I know there’s one person coming from Las Vegas this year. Last year, we had someone from Hawaii. We have people all the way from babies all the way up til 80 – 90 years old that come and watch us.”
Whether it’s the buses, the monster trucks, or just a fun time, Spriks says there is something for everyone at Armageddon on Wheels.
“I get a lot of compliments from first-timers,” she said. “They’ve said, ‘I’ve never been to something like this; this is the most awesome thing I’ve ever been to.'”
Gates open at 3 p.m., with races starting at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $30 at the gate, and kids 7 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets are available in advance for $27.50 online at armageddononwheels.com.
