Meet Rhinomite, The Newest Hot Wheels Monster Truck Coming To San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — Anthony Ritter has been around monster trucks for most of his life. Now, at 23, he is introducing a new one to San Diego.

Ritter is the driver of Rhinomite, the newest truck joining the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire tour this year. The rhino-themed truck will make its San Diego debut Sept. 26-27 at Pechanga Arena, giving local fans a chance to see the all-new truck in action.

Ritter's connection to monster trucks started when he was a baby. He was about 2 months old when his father took him to his first monster truck show.

"As long as I can remember, my dad would always take me to the local monster truck shows," Ritter told Patch.

By about age 12, Ritter, who is from Tremonton, Utah, was volunteering at his local fairgrounds. He eventually joined the full-time crew and spent seven or eight years working behind the scenes before moving into the driver's seat.

He started driving a non-Hot Wheels truck and later spent two years behind the wheel of the popular Tiger Shark. Now, he is taking on a new challenge with Rhinomite.

When Ritter learned he had been selected to debut the truck, he said the news came with both excitement and nerves.

"I was excited, a little nervous because it would be a new truck and I'd have to make a good impression," Ritter said. "I'm trying to build up a new fanbase with Rhinomite."

The truck is part of a process that begins long before it reaches an arena.

The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks are first designed as toys, and each year one is selected to be transformed into a full-size truck for the live tour, Ritter explained. This year, that truck was Rhinomite, a bright blue rhino-themed truck with a large horn on its front.

Ritter was selected to be the person behind the wheel.

"It's a big honor," he said.

Ritter has already seen what Rhinomite means to young fans.

During the Pre-Show Party before performances, fans can get onto the arena floor, see the trucks up close and meet drivers. Ritter said he has met plenty of children who already own their own Rhinomite toys.

That connection between the toy and the massive truck is one of his favorite parts of debuting it.

"It's really cool to see all those kids who play with it in their living room come out and see it full sized," he said.

The Glow-N-Fire tour will also bring back several fan favorites, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot and Skelesaurus.

The show also features freestyle motocross riders and a fire-breathing robot dinosaur. Fans can expect new stunts, including a no-handed front flip by FMX riders, as well as monster truck competitions and other high-flying action.

The Pre-Show Party is scheduled before each San Diego performance and gives fans the opportunity to get onto the arena floor before the main event. Fans can take photos with the trucks, see their massive designs up close, and meet drivers for autographs.

There are also three new VIP packages this year: Full Throttle VIP, Pedal to the Metal VIP and Start Your Engine VIP.

The Full Throttle package includes front-row seats, a backstage tour and a meet-and-greet with a monster truck driver and FMX driver.

Ritter said the backstage experience gives fans a different perspective on the trucks.

"They get more of a one-on-one in-depth experience back there and get to spend more time with the truck and get up close with it without all the caution tape," he said.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire will have three performances at Pechanga Arena. Shows are set for 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 and 1:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Pre-Show Parties are held two and a half hours prior to every performance.

Discounted kids tickets are available, and an adult buy-one-get-one offer is available with the code HWBOGO through AXS.

For Ritter, the San Diego show will be another opportunity to introduce Rhinomite to a new audience and build a fanbase for a truck that not long ago existed only as a Hot Wheels toy.