Scarlet Bandit
A new truck appeared on the scene in 2003 and nearly beat defending champion Tom Meets and Maximum Destruction at the Minneapolis Metrodome. Scarlet Bandit quickly became a well-known challenger, winning the racing title two consecutive years in Phoenix.
Dawn Creten is the driver behind the success of Scarlet Bandit. A former Army medic, Ms. Creten began driving monster trucks in 1997. She juggles a successful career in monster truck racing with the care of her three children. Ms. Creten nearly took the freestyle title in 2008, but lost to Adam Anderson (the driver of Taz). She is one of only a few women who compete in the monster truck series.
Scarlet Bandit - Driver: Dawn Creten About Scarlet Bandit’s Driver: Dawn Creten
Dawn Creten, the truck’s schoolbus-crushing driver, has been racing monster trucks since 1997 and has won a number of Monster Jam events.
Born in North Dakota, Dawn discovered her passion for monster truck racing as well as her husband when Jimmy Creten (Bounty Hunter) won a race at a local fair.
Fans quickly took notice of the up and coming driver asking for appearances and autographs. The 2003 season culminated in a photo finish against Tom Meents in Minneapolis. In early 2004, Ms. Creten again stunned fans with an amazing flip during the season’s opening event in Houston at Reliant Stadium.
Dawn won the 2005 Phoenix, Arizona race for the second consecutive year. Scarlet Bandit then received an invitation to join the Las Vegas World Finals. With the motto “No Fear,” Dawn Creten took on garbage trucks and rock piles with her truck and received a score of 25 points and earned 6th place.
After having a child in 2006, Dawn returned to racing in 2007 and earned a place at the Las Vegas World Finals.
Ms. Creten enjoys monster truck racing, spending time with her family and relaxing at home. Her children: Hope, Faith, and Journey cheer enthusiastically for their mom at each race they are able to attend.
Scarlet Bandit Sponsors
Scarlet Bandit is co-sponsored by several corporations, including: PowerMaster, online information resource Juggle.com, NGK Spark Pluhs, Daystar, Auto Paint Warehouse, Kentucky Trailer Services, and MSD Pro Mag. Other sponsors include Hughes Performance, Hot Wheels, Mezier Enterprises, K & N, and Transport Graphics. Rounding out the sponsorship list for Scarlet Bandit are Hot Wheels, Auto Meter, MasterCraft, Tompkins, and Awesome Racewear.
Scarlet Bandit is a 2005 Ford Expedition with an 1800 horsepower, 555 C.I. blown alcohol engine. The truck weighs 10,000 pounds, features 66-inch Terra Tires and a Hughes Performance two-speed power transmission.