While our Over the Edge guy Steven Chupnick is always going to battle with some piece of mechanical hardware or another, never before has he been this well-armed. And as we’re about to see, he had a smashing good time!

STEVEN CHUPNICK:  Ever pass by a military base, or an army reserve center, and seen a retired tank out front and thought…‘Man, I would love to drive one of those, but I’m not in the military, and I’m not in the mood to start a coup?’ Well, stop thinking and do it–and no government overthrow needed.

STEVEN CHUPNICK:  How many times do you get to drive a tank in your life? Just come to Kasota, Minnesota and live out a childhood fantasy!

About an hour south of Minneapolis is one awesome location...Simply put, Drive a Tank is just that–you get to drive a true combat tank...

TONY BORGLUM: It’s the only operating place in the country where civilians and prior military alike, can come and operate tanks and other military vehicles...

STEVEN CHUPNICK: Tony Borglum acquired 10 British armored vehicles...and British rather than American tanks, because the U.S.  doesn’t sell its retired tanks… the sheer size of these is amazing and trying to get into a Chieftain Mark 11 main battle tank is just as surreal. They call this one  “Larry”.

I joined a group from a finance company in Chicago...they drove up to celebrate one of the partner’s birthdays...and yes, I know what you’re thinking – even money guys like to let loose every once in a while...

TONY KUTHARSKI: It’s a once in a lifetime thing; you can’t find this anywhere else.

STEVEN CHUPNICK: After an overview and safety briefing, we all piled in our transport truck and off we went... And in it rumbled... The FV 432 Abbot–weighing 15 tons, with a Rolls Royce K60 engine–about 500 horsepower...

Keeping everyone straight inside and out of the tank, is tank commander Markessa Baedke.

MARKESSA BAEDKE: I instruct people, I introduce them to the tank; kind of get them in there and show them what to do to get it going and how to turn it and stop it and have fun.

STEVEN CHUPNICK: The stopping and turning part I got; the fun part, I definitely got...the splashing mud coming up and over the tank...yeah, I got that, too...

As I came storming back from the course, only a few words describe how truly awesome this is...

STEVEN CHUPNICK: That was insane…and yes, I did get a little messy, got a little muddy. But it was all worth it.

STEVEN CHUPNICK: But there’s more...remember our good friend Larry?

STEVEN CHUPNICK: So what’s better than driving a tank? Driving a tank over a car.

STEVEN CHUPNICK:  Birthday boy, Tony, got his shot at taking out two minivans...

TONY KUTHARSKI: When I got out of the tank, my knees were weak, I was worried I was going to fall off the tank I was so nervous.

STEVEN CHUPNICK:  As for me... Here’s the aftermath of this 96 Monte Carlo...

STEVEN CHUPNICK: How did it all go down? We’ll let the video do the talking...  You know what? I think we need to see that again…

Oh, and after a long day of driving a tank, there’s nothing better than firing off a few rounds of some automatic weapons...

Really people, you want to have an amazing adventure with your friends, family and maybe even your co-workers, take a trip to Drive a Tank...but be prepared, it can get a little down and dirty...