National Monster Truck Exhibit to Premiere at Chicago's Museum of Science And Industry

SAN ANTONIO, April 22 -- Clear Channel Exhibitions and the Museum of Science and Industry announce the premiere opening of Monster Trucks: The Science of Extreme Machines, a new one-of-a-kind exhibit on monster trucks and the science behind building and driving them. The exhibit opens to the public on May 23, 2003 and will run through September 1, 2003.

Monster Trucks: The Science of Extreme Machines was produced by Clear Channel Exhibitions and is sanctioned by Clear Channel Entertainment -- Motor Sports. The 15,000-square-foot exhibit debuts at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, before beginning a five-year, 12-city tour of major science centers and natural history museums across the United States.

Monster Trucks brings together the thrills and spills of motor sports with leading-edge science and technology. Kid-friendly interactive displays demonstrate the scientific principles that give these monster machines their remarkable power and still make them safe for drivers and fans alike.

Visitors can climb into the cab of "Grave Digger" -- a superstar of the Monster Jam racing circuit-and watch video of spectacular crashes from actual monster-truck events. Exhibit-goers also can learn real-life stories of the drivers, people as interesting as the vehicles themselves. Re-created environments include the Monster Jam Theater; a display area featuring a real monster truck and large-screen video of actual truck crashes; the Grave Digger Climb-on; a deconstructed truck drive train and interactive demonstrations of a suspension system in action.

Re-created settings also include hands-on displays about the 66-inch-high Terra Tire; the Monster Makeover on the artistic creation of truck artwork; Safety First; and an event timeline about the diverse individuals who make it all happen behind the scenes.

"There are obviously a lot of theatrical elements that go into putting together a monster-truck show, but there are just as many -- if not more -- elements of pure science that go into it as well," said Stacy F. King, CEO of Clear Channel Exhibitions. "The exhibit offers the entertainment value of Monster Jam, plus an engaging way to explore the genius of the science they're built on."

"This exhibit is extreme science at its best," said Museum of Science and Industry President and CEO David Mosena. "Visitors will truly be surprised by how much science and innovation actually go into this sport, whether they've ever seen a monster-truck show before or not."

"This exhibit brings you up close and behind the scenes of Monster Jam. It combines the thrill of the live event with the science of how it all comes to life," said Charlie Mancuso President of Clear Channel Entertainment - Motor Sports.

Tickets are on sale now. Monster Trucks: The Science of Extreme Machines has an additional exhibit fee of $5 for adults and $3.50 for children under 12. General admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $5 for children ages 3-11. City of Chicago residents receive a discount on Museum general admission. To order tickets, please call 773-684-1414. For additional information, please call 1-800-GO-TO-MSI or visit www.msichicago.org .

Clear Channel Exhibitions, a division of Clear Channel Entertainment based in San Antonio, Texas, is a world leader in providing high quality, state-of- the-art educational family experiences, and produces exhibits in collaboration with more than 200 leading museums and research institutions.