By Kathy Wills


Gerard Barcroft (Ged) comes to us originally, from Manchester, England, but since 1992 hangs his blower belts and torque wrenches in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Ged is 38 years old, and has been a Heavy Duty Mechanic for 20 years. He has a 15 year old son Ashley, and a Shepard/Lab cross called Duke.



Ged bought Sheer Insanity in 2000, and completed many modifications to the truck in the early part of his rookie year. Sheer Insanity now sports a 521 ci Jenke engine that is blown and injected and is fed a diet of pure methanol alcohol. She pushes out an impressive 1500 horse. The transmission is a Turbo 400, modified to accept unusually high torque and massive horsepower and is able to propel a 10,000 lb plus vehicle from a standing start to 40 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds. Rockwell 912 differentials support 66" Terra tires. The truck (and Ged) have already become very well known for the unique way that Ged makes the truck stand on it's tailgate and beg when it launches onto the cars.

Ged completed his rookie season in the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton in December of 2001. This is the same coliseum where Ged took his maiden voyage across the cars in January of 2001, and has not looked back since.

The name "Sheer Insanity" was given to the truck after Ged called his mum in England to tell her that he had just sold his house to buy a Monster Truck. Her comment was, "Gerard, that is utterly insane!"

Ged's success is not without the help and devotion of his friends and sponsors; Bircham Welding (Jen and Stan Bircham (Red Cliff, Alberta), B & J Signs (Joanne Ebel Medicine Hat, Alberta) and Ebel's Auto Value (Rick Ebel @ Medicine Hat, Alberta).

Ged looks forward to an outstandingly insane season of Monster Truck Racing, building a second Monster Truck and sharing time with the other love of his life, Kathy.
For more information, you may contact Kathy and Ged at Sheer Insanity . Here is the 2003 Sheer Insanity schedule so far. There a lot of other shows being negotiated right now.

Jan 18-19, 2003 Harbour Station Saint John, NB
Jan 24-25, 2003 Mile One Stadium St. Johns, NF
Jan 31-Feb 2, 2003 Corel Centre Ottawa, ON
Feb 7-8, 2003 Copps Coliseum Hamilton, ON
Feb 14-16, 2003 Sask Place Saskatoon, SK
Mar 15-16, 2003 Multiplex Arena Prince George, BC
Jun 6-8, 2003 Westerner Park Red Deer, AB
Jun 13-15, 2003 Exhibition Grounds Yorkton, SK
Jun 19-28, 2003 Red River Ex Winnipeg, MB
Jun 30-Jul 1, 2003 Assiniboia, SK
Aug 16-Sep 1, 2003 P.N.E. Vancouver, BC
Nov 22-23, 2003 Sport Mart Place Kamloops, BC