Monster-backed Dustin Gibson is on the podium (3rd) for the third-straight race, Josh Weisenfels is 5th at Morganton (N.C.) Can-Am GNCC Series event



CORONA, Calif., (March 31, 2008) – Fred Andrews’ Monster Energy/Yamaha team had another good weekend on the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series tour, this past weekend in Morganton, N.C., overcoming cold and rainy conditions to capture two top five positions – including a podium – in the XC2 class



Leading the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha race team was again Dustin Gibson, who brought his YZ250F home in 3rd place overall. Also running well was Josh Weisenfels who finished 5th despite a couple crashes.



“Josh and Dustin got out in 2nd and 3rd heading into the woods, but Josh crashed and came back past the pits in 5th while Josh got some arm pump and faded back to 7th,” said Andrews. “By the gas stop Josh was back in 7th, but Dustin had moved up to 5th.”



Gibson continued to fight off the gnarly effects of arm pump and moved into the top five by the white flag, and almost had 2nd when he crashed trying to make the pass at the finish.



Said Gibson: “I need to get rid of this arm pump. My Monster/Andrews/Yamaha is the best bike I have ever raced. Three-for-three on the box isn’t bad, but I want to be on the top of the box.”



Next up for the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha team is the Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina, April 13th.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it off-road, enduro, MX, road racing, supermoto, FMX, skate, MTB, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Fred Andrews and his boyz dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Hill (Yamaha) moves into a 5th place o/a AMA Supercross class tie with fellow Monster Energy-backed racer Tim Ferry (Monster Energy/Kawasaki)

  

CORONA, Calif., (March 31, 2008) – Monster Energy’s Josh Hill (Yamaha) overcame a series of early mistakes on the tricky Rogers Centre supercross track, Round 12 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, this past Saturday to finish in the top five overall (5th).



With the solid finish Hill moved into a tie (151-151) with fellow Monster Energy athlete Tim Ferry (Monster Energy/Kawasaki) for 5th place overall in the premier AMA Supercross class standings.



Hill opened the lone FIM World Championship round in Toronto with a well-deserved 2nd place finish in his heat race, topping factory-backed racers Chad Reed (San Manuel/Yamaha) and Travis Preston (Monster Energy/Kawasaki). In the main Hill pulled a good start and was out in 2nd place when he went down for the first time. He was able to keep his YZ450F running and got back going again, but went down for the second time on a sweeper turn soon after and fell back to 12th.



The rookie Supercross class racer then buckled down and continued to pass racers throughout the next 13 laps, eventually catching and passing factory racers Nick Wey (KTM) and Tim Ferry (Monster Energy/Kawasaki) to finish in 5th place at the checkers – and on the lead lap.



Next up for Monster Energy’s Hill is the Dallas Supercross at Texas Stadium this Saturday, April 5th.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Josh Hill digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

So, it's been a while since my last update and it's a new year and the contest circuit is getting started again. We kicked it off with Tampa Pro! I've been going to Tampa for the past 10 years ever since I was an am.

FUEL TV Airs The Flip Feast West Coast Tour

Friday, March 28, 2008

Airing Friday, March 28, 2008 at 8:00pm Eastern Time (5:00pm Pacific Time), and re-airing eleven more times over the next month, FUEL TV will showcase the Flip Feast West Coast Tour.

The Flip Feast West Coast Tour brings together some of the gnarliest skateboarders on planet Earth for a ten-day road trip along the West Coast. Check out the amazing talent of Geoff Rowley, Mark Appleyard, Arto Saari, Lance Mountain, Rune Glifberg, David Gonzalez, Luan De Oliviera, Curren Caples, and Louie Lopez, as thousands of kids travel up to 15 hours to see this amazing road show.

Watch the Flip riders rip, destroy, and terrorize skateparks and street spots along the West Coast. Make sure to tune into FUEL TV to catch all the action of the Flip Feast West Coast Tour.

Flip Feast West Coast Tour Air Dates:

3/28/2008                   8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT in Skate @ 8

3/28/2008                   11:00pm ET/8:00pm PT in Skate @ 8

3/29/2008                   8:00am ET/5:00am PT in Skate @ 8

3/30/2008                   12:00pm ET/9:00am PT

3/30/2008                   3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT

4/2/2008                     1:00pm ET/10:00am PT

4/2/2008                     12:30am ET/9:30pm PT

4/4/2008                     4:00pm ET/1:00pm PT

4/6/2008                     7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT

4/18/2008                   8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT in Skate @ 8

4/18/2008                   11:30pm ET/8:30pm PT in Skate @ 8

4/19/2008                   8:30amET/5:30am PT in Skate @ 8

FUEL TV is the action sports lifestyle network for skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, freestyle-motocross, and wakeboarding. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in 24-million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green’s Cianciarulo takes the first four national titles of the season in the 85cc 9-11 class while Monster’s PJ Larson, Dean Wilson, Max Anstie, Sara Price and Lexi Pearson also win Oak Hill titles



CORONA, Calif., (March 25, 2008) – There was an extra sparkle coming off the RVs leaving Texas’ Oak Hill MX Park that were running Monster Energy decals – the sparkle of national amateur championship trophies displayed proudly in the windows of a number of Monster Energy-backed amateur motocross racers.



Again it was Monster Energy’s Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green) that took home the lion’s share of hardware from Oak Hill’s 32nd annual GNC International Motocross Final - winning both the 85cc 9-11 Stock and Modified championships – just as he’d done the previous week in Lake Whitney, Texas.



“Another banner week of racing for Adam and the rest of the 40 or so amateur motocross racers Monster Energy is backing,” said John Lee, Director of Sports Marketing for Monster Energy. “Monster Energy racers cleaned up at Lake Whitney, then did even better at Oak Hill. We couldn’t ask for a better start to the 2008 amateur motocross competition season than these guy and girls delivered.”



Joining Cianciarulo with multiple Oak Hill championships was Monster Energy-backed Dean Wilson who won the 125cc Stock Intermediate class as well as the 250cc 4-Stroke class.



And winning individual titles were PJ Larsen (125cc A Modified), Max Anstie (85cc Open), Sara Price (Women 99-250) and Lexi Pearson (Women 65-112).



Also putting up some additional noteworthy performances for Monster Energy were: Thomas Convington (3rd, 85cc 9-11 Stock), Zach Bell (5th Supermini), Lowell Spangler (6th 250cc A Modified) and Christian Craig (5th 125cc Stock Intermediate).



Next up for Monster Energy’s amateur motocross racers is the 37th annual World Mini Grand Prix, April 14-20, at Las Vegas (Nev.) MX Park.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, snocross, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. All the Monster Energy amateur MX racers that competed in Texas the past couple weeks dug ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Abbott leads America’s best enduro racers into Greece for the 83rd running of the famous International Six Days Enduro

  

CORONA, Calif., (March 21, 2008) – Monster Energy is proud to announce that one of its athletes – off road motorcycle racer Destry Abbott – has been named to the team that will represent the United States at this year’s International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Serres, Greece.



Abbott, a two-time gold medalist in the event, is fired up about being named to the team and looking forward to representing out country versus the world’s best enduro racers. This will be Abbott’s fifth time competing in the ISDE.



“I’m super excited to be part of this year’s ISDE team and feel really good about our chances,” said Abbott. “I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated as to what’s happening with the ISDE on www.monsterenergy.com The team is very prepared this year. All six of us are committed and see this as a true team effort. We want to do what’s best for the team and we’re going to do whatever it takes.”



Abbott, 35, who’ll be considered one of Team USA’s veteran ISDE competitors, is a four-time AMA National Hare & Hound Series champion.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, skis, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Destry Abbott digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

The likeable Aussie joins Nate Adams & Kyle Loza in Monster Energy’s freestyle motocross athlete lineup

  

CORONA, Calif., (March 21, 2008) – Monster Energy announced today that is has signed Australian FMX star Blake “Bilko” Williams to its stable of high powered freestyle motocross stars, effective immediately.



Williams, who spent a portion of the 2007 competition season recovering from injury, is pumped to be back on his bike and ready to hit the major competitions this summer both here in the United States, Europe and Australia.



“It’s a great feeling knowing that I can work together with Monster Energy to help promote the drinks not only over here in the States, but also back home in Australia where Monster Energy’s really starting to catch on,” said Williams.



A member of the Crusty Demons “Unleash Hell” tour in Australia, Williams will first see action here in California at the inaugural ESPN Moto X World Championships in San Diego this April.



For more information on Williams, check out his website: www.bilko22.com



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, skis, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Bilko digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com

The first day of competition was the day of the Boarder Cross races.  I went straight from the airport to the resort and changed into my gear in the back of a taxi.  I have always wanted to come to Sun Valley, so there was no time for hesitation…..all weekend.

When I arrived at the race course I was greeted by Monster Army Generals Nate Holland and Shaun Palmer.  Nate and The Palm said it was on of the gnarliest courses they have ever seen.  I would defiantly agree.  Nate and the Palm have competed at every stop of the King of the Mountain tour and finished first and second at every stop.  Palmer won the first two stops (Telluride and Squaw Valley) and Nate won in Sun Valley. It was a great day for Monster athletes, Nate won in his home state in front of his entire family, and The Palm won the overall championship and drove away in a brand new Jeep.

After a great night of concerts and entertainment put on by 48 straight and the Jeep, it was time for the half pipe competition and The Monster Hit.  This year we are trying something new and creative. A one hit all or nothing head to head contest with heavy hitters like Monster Generals Peter Olenick and Colby West.

Colby was a man on a mission all weekend and it paid off when he won the half pipe competition and took the over all, giving him an extra five grand.  Right after the pipe comp was The Monster Hit.  We all knew from the beginning that Peter Olenick was going to take it.  His “Whisky Flip” (double backflip-180) can not be beat.  “The Pipe was smaller than the normal 22 foot super pipe, so if I was going to do a Whiskey, I was saving it for the Monster Hit,” said Peter.

The Weekend was an all around success.  As for Monster Energy, we not only won every event we entered, we won the overall in every event.  Monster paid a lot of bonus checks after Sun Valley, but it’s a pleasure when your athletes dominate.

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it ski, MX, snocross, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snowboards, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Colby, Peter, Nate and The Palm dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

The boss of the most successful team on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series is pumped having two of his racers on the overall AX class podium

  

CORONA, Calif., (March 19, 2008) – With Kelly Smith in 2nd place overall and Brock Sellards in 3rd, Monster Energy/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki enjoyed a highly successful 2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series season.



Team owner Eddie Babbitt, who’s been in the retail powersports business since 1965 with the opening of Babbitt’s Powersports in Muskegon, Mich., was in Green Bay last weekend for the finals of the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series season and witnessed Smith go 1-1 on the weekend. A fitting end to what Babbitt called a “tremendously competitive series.”



“Kelly was on fire at Green Bay, pulled the holeshot on Friday and stayed on the gas for the win,” said Babbitt. “On Saturday Kelly pulled another holeshot, checked out and never looked back. It was a great way to finish the season.”



At the ensuing Toyota AMA Arenacross Series banquet – where plenty of Monster Energy drinks were on hand as Monster is the series’ official energy drink – the Monster Energy/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki team was voted “Team of the Year” by series officials and Monster Energy/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki’s team manager, Denny Bartz, was voted Team Manager of the Year.”



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it AX, MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Brock Sellards and Kelly Smith dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Burke overcomes a rare semifinal loss with an ‘avenging’ finals winning run!

CORONA, Calif., (March 18, 2008) – Monster Energy’s Sarah Burke, the reigning women’s X Games SuperPipe champ, proved once again she’s the best women’s halfpipe skier in the world, this past weekend winning the European Freeskiing Open in Italy.

Burke, who hails from Canada, was edged out in the semifinals by fellow countryperson Rosalind Groenwoud. But in the finals it would be Burke that stepped up, throwing and “absolutely gigantic” (according to her coach, Trennon Paynter) 900 in the middle of her run to thrust herself into 1st place over Groenwoud and American Jen Hudak by a large margin.

“Rosalind and Jen were both riding very well as the level of competition keeps getting better and better,” said Burke. “I’m pleased I was able to put it all together in the finals.”

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it ski, MX, snocross, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snowboards, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Sarah Burke digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green’s Adam Cianciarulo locks down three titles at Lake Whitney, his Monster Energy-backed teammate P.J. Larsen adds a couple more



CORONA, Calif., (March 17, 2008) – Monster Energy racers were all over the podiums at last week’s 2008 Lake Whitney AMA/Parts Unlimited Spring Classic, hauling in a ton of hardware in the first of two major mid-March amateur national motocross events in Texas.



Leading the charge for Monster Energy – and you’re going to be seeing this kid’s name a lot on www.monsterenergy.com this summer – was Florida’s Adam Cianciarulo. One of the all-time winningest amateur motocross racers (Think: RC, Stewart, Alessi), Cianciarulo won three individual championships at Lake Whitney, including both the 85cc 9-11 Stock and Modified classes, along with the Jr. Supermini 9-11 title.



“We’ve followed Adam through all his titles on Cobras and are pleased he’s with us now as part of the Monster Energy Army,” said Monster Energy Sports Marketing Director John Lee. “A lot of people close to the industry says Adam reminds them of a young Ricky Carmichael. We’re looking forward to keeping an eye on him this week at Oak Hill’s 32nd annual GNC International Motocross Final and throughout the rest of the summer at the major amateur national motocross events.”



Also getting it done for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green program at Lake Whitney was Monster Energy-backed P.J. Larsen. Larsen won the MX A Pro Sport class, along with the 4-Stroke (Open Skill) class.



Other racers running the Monster Energy M-claw logo to the top of the podium at Lake Whitney included Christian Craig, the son of supercross great Mike Craig, who won the B Lites Stock championship and Jessy Nelson who won the 85cc 12-13 Modified class.



Next up for Monster Energy’s amateur motocross racers is Oak Hill’s 32nd annual GNC International Motocross Final, running this week in Texas.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, snocross, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. All the Monster Energy amateur MX racers competing in Texas this week are diggin’ ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Hill (Yamaha) wins his first-even premier AMA Supercross class main event

  

CORONA, Calif., (March 17, 2008) – Monster Energy’s newly acquired Josh Hill (Yamaha) stepped up and put his shiny new M-claw helmet up on top of the box at Minneapolis’ Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Round 11 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, this past Saturday.



Monster Energy’s Hill, in only his second year as pro and first year racing the premier AMA Supercross class, took over the lead from Ryan Dungey prior to lap four, then led the remaining 16 laps to take his first premier class main event win – giving Monster Energy its first premier class win since Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s James Stewart won round two of Monster Energy Supercross in Phoenix.



My whole family’s put everything they have into this,” said an elated Hill from the Metrodome podium. “Their whole lives. And it’s paying off. (I’m) just trying to make everybody proud.”



Trained by famed motocrosser Ryan Hughes (who also guides Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence’s MX training), Hill’s had two premier class runner-up finishes – the last one coming a couple weeks ago at Indianapolis’ RCA Dome. But following that he had a DNF in the mud at Daytona International Speedway, which makes this win ever that much more special in that it came on the heels of such a tough result.



“Getting 2nd was amazing. But winning – I don’t even know how to put it into words,” said Hill.



With the winning effort Monster Energy’s Hill moves to within two points of fellow Monster Energy athlete Tim Ferry (Monster Energy/Kawasaki) in the top five overall in the AMA Supercross class standings – 137-135.



Next up for Monster Energy’s Hill is the Toronto round of 2008 Monster Energy Supercross at Rogers Centre, March 29th.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Josh Hill digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Villopoto lays down the law early with some blazing fast practice times, a heat race win and last lap pass on to take the Minneapolis Lites main win

                                                                                                     

CORONA, Calif., (March 17, 2008) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto had the fastest bike all weekend in Minneapolis, but really waited until the last turn of the last lap to prove that when he passed Josh Grant to take the overall ESX Lites class win at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Round 11 of Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship.



In certainly one of the more exciting AMA Supercross Lites main events of the season, Villopoto and Grant battled bar-to-bar for much of the race with the eventual outcome being decided on the last corner of the 15-lap main.



“Man, this is it!,” said Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s James Stewart, who had joined online race announcers Jason Weigandt and Jim Holly in the booth. “What a great race.”



Villopoto pretty much let it be known early that he was going to be the man to beat. Taking nothing away from ESX points leader Trey Canard (to which Villopoto has admitted he “underestimated” Canard), Villopoto sent a message the rest of the Minnesota field early by putting up the fastest lap time in the first pro seeded practice session by more than a second (47.314 to 48.792) over teammate Branden Jesseman. Villopoto then backed that by winning the second heat race by nine seconds over Canard.



In the main Villopoto got out in 2nd place behind Grant and remained there – albeit for a couple brief lead changes – then set Grant up with a slick outside/inside move on the last turn of the last lap to take the checkers.



“It was crazy – I almost landed on him,” said Villopoto of his effort to get by Grant. “We battled a bit in the middle (of the race) and I waited to the last turn – and made it stick. It was really tough.”



Villopoto and Grant congratulated each other after the race.



With Canard finishing in 4th place Villopoto was able to cut the rookie’s overall points lead to 24 points with three ESX rounds remaining, 93-69. Villopoto, who started the season with limited time training supercross due to an injury, has hit full stride with his win in Minneapolis and is looking forward to the final three chances at victory.



“Twenty four points to make up with three rounds to go…(I) have to hope for a mistake by Trey, a big one – not just a little one,” said Villopoto.



Note: Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jesseman finished 4th in the first heat race, 12th overall.



Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is the Saturday (March 29th) running of the FIM World SX Championship round at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, Round 12 of 2008 Monster Energy Supercross.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Villopoto, Jesseman, Stroupe & Metcalfe dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy-backed racer kicks off the British MX1 Championship with two dominant performances at the legendary GP track

   

CORONA, Calif., (March 14, 2008) – The new relationship between Monster Energy and the CAS Honda program paid some immediate dividends recently when Monster Energy/CAS Honda’s Billy McKenzie kicked off the British MX Championship with a dominant 1-1 MX1 class performance at Donnington Park.



Here’s the race report from the Monster Energy/CAS Honda team:



BILLY MAC KICKS OFF NEW SEASON IN WINNING STYLE!



Billy MacKenzie showed his determination to dominate MX1 again this season by storming to unassailable victory in the first round of the British Championship at Donington Park on Sunday.



Qualifying

The day began well, with the CAS Honda star almost two seconds faster than his nearest competitors in qualifying. Meanwhile, his team-mate Mike Brown qualified in tenth place in MX2…



MX2 Race 1

Mike’s first race started with him appearing round the first corner in tenth place, then pulling himself through to sixth, before stalling the bike at the halfway stage. After struggling to get his machine re-started, he was a lap down by the time he rejoined the race, yet he still managed a creditable 18th place, with Searle taking the race win.



MX1 Race 1

Billy shot out of the start gate for his first race to take the holeshot, after which he dominated the entire race. His fastest lap time was nearly four seconds faster than the rest of the field.



MX2 Race 2

Mike’s second race saw him in sixth place round the first bend and pushing hard until dramatically crashing through the chestnut fencing and bending his handlebars in the process. Bravely he completed the race, nursing his damaged machine to a creditable 10th place. Searle took his second win of the day.



MX1 Race 2

Billy’s second race was pretty much identical to the first, confidently pulling away from the front, even when the weather changed to heavy rain showers.



Race verdicts

Billy was thrilled with his double win, which puts him at the top of the table going into Round 2, which takes place Easter Sunday at Canada Heights. Mike finished the day determined to overcome his setbacks at Donington and show that he is a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season.



Results

MX2 Race 1:

1st T Searle, 2nd S Sword, 3rd P Leuret, 4th G Swanpoel, 5th M Barr, 6th C Campano

MX2 Race 2

1st T Searle, 2nd S Sword, 3rd S Simpson, 4th P Leuret, 5th M Barr, 6th C Campano

MX2 OVERALL on the day

1st T Searle 50 points, 2nd S Sword 44 points, 3rd P Leuret 38 points (M Brown 12th)



MX1 Race 1

1st B MacKenzie, 2nd K Gundersen, 3rd T Church, 4th J Noble, 5th B Anderson, 6th M Jones

MX1 Race 2

1st B MacKenzie, 2nd B Anderson, 3rd, K Gundersen, 4th J Noble, 5th T Church, 6th M Jones

MX1 OVERALL on the day

1st B MacKenzie 50 points, 2nd K Gundersen 42 points, 3rd B Anderson 38 points



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, distance jumping, enduro, hare scrambles, SX, road racing, supermoto, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Ryan Capes digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster/Attack Kawasaki’s Chaz Davies awarded the Formula Xtreme Daytona 200 title when fellow Monster racer Josh Hayes is DQ’d



CORONA, Calif., (March 10, 2008) –  Monster Energy’s AMA Superbike Championship road racers opened up the 2008 season with enough drama to last the entire summer thanks to a race win-yielding DQ in the Daytona 200 and crash resulting in injury for Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s defending Supersport class champion Roger Lee Hayden.



We’ll being with Hayden. While qualifying for the Superbike event this past Thursday morning, Hayden wadded up and torqued his wrist. But being as tough as they come with three other brothers that are fast as sharks on motorcycles, Roger Lee stepped up and only hours after his Superbike qualifying race would make the podium in the Supersport class (3rd).



“Not the best way to start the Daytona weekend,” said Hayden of his crash which reportedly resulted in a torn ligament and chipped bones in his wrist. “I did have to ride with some pain the rest of the weekend. Pumped we now have some time off now before Round Two at Barber (Motorsports Park, Ala., April 18-20). Should be good-to-go by then.”



Hayden soldiered on through the Supersport class and, only a few hours after his wreck, started in 5th and recorded the second-fastest lap time (1:40.590) to put his Kawasaki ZX-6R on the podium in 3rd place. Attack/Kawasaki’s Chaz Davies would place a solid 4th in the SuperSport class.



Next up for the Monster Energy-backed Davies was the Formula Xtreme Daytona 200. Davies ran well, holding in 2nd place for much of the race before dropping to 6th place on lap 16. Davies then dug deep and got back by Blake Young, Martin Cardenas and Steve Rapp, before catching Neil Hodgson on the last lap to take an apparent 2nd place podium finish.



But in the ensuing tech inspection, the AMA reported an infraction with then winner Monster Energy-backed Josh Hayes’ Erion Racing-tuned Honda CBR600RR bike and he was subsequently DQ’d and the win was given to Davies.



Said Hayes’ Erion/Honda crew chief, Rick Hobbs: “We’ve appealed their (AMA) decision and basically that’s our side of it. We’ve appealed the technical inspection and also the penalty, disqualification.”



In the weekend’s final Superbike class race, Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking had the best showing, placing 5th overall while Hayden soldiered on – despite the injured wrist – in 8th place.



Next up for the Monster Energy-backed AMA Superbike racers is Round Two of the series at Barber Motorsports Park (Ala.), April 18-20.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, rally, rock crawling, MX, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. All the guys running the Monster Energy logo on the AMA Superbike Championship tour dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Hibbert pulls to within 11 points of Pro Super Stock class series leader Ross Martin with solid perfomance at Brainerd, Minn., WPSA round this past weekend



CORONA, Calif., (March 11, 2008) – Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert took a 1st and 2nd place finish in the Brainerd, Minn., round of the World PowerSports Association’s (WPSA) Snowmobile Tour this past weeknd and pulled to within 11 points of the Pro Super Stock championship overall leader, Ross Martin.



Having missed one of the earlier WPSA rounds (Round Five) and not really sure on his snowmobile season racing schedule prior to the season, Hibbert has decided to make a run at Martin this weekend in Lake Geneva, Wis., the final round of the WPSA tour.



“I was able to move from 5th to 3rd in the standings and, with six rounds of qualifying and two finals at this weekend’s WPSA double header, there’s 110 Pro Super Stock points up for grab at the Nielson Enterprises Grand Finale,” said Hibbert. “So the plan is to head to Wisconsin and make a run at the Pro Super Stock title on my Arctic Cat SnoPro 600.”



Hibbert enters Lake Geneva a bit banged up from last weekend. After scoring a 2nd place finish in the first main event of the Open class, Hibbert was in 2nd place and charging on the leader in the second Open main when he was T-boned coming out of a corner. So he’ll be dealing with some bruised ribs and a sore ankle – but really nothing new for the full time snocross/motocross racer.



And speaking of motocross, although Hibbert wasn’t able to pull a deal together this year that would allow him to race WPSA and Monster Energy Supercross, he is planning on contesting the majority of the AMA Outdoor Nationals, along with a couple select Monster Energy Canadian MX Nationals rounds.



“My old mechanic Timmy will be back prepping my bikes and we’ll be full-on privateers again,” said Hibbert. “We’re pumped. I love putting together my own program so I think things will work out really well for us this summer. Looking forward to it.”



The U.S. MX Outdoor National rounds Monster Energy’s Hibbert plans on contesting include: Freestone, RedBud, Budds Creek, Washougal, Millville, Southwick and Steel City. The Monster Energy Canadian Nationals rounds include: Morden (Manitoba) and Regina (Saskatchewan).



Next up for Monster Energy’s Hibbert is this weekend’s Lake Geneva WPSA National (March 14-15).



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, snocross, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Tucker Hibbert digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Villopoto backs up his 2nd at Indianapolis the previous week with another 2nd in a crashfest mudder at Daytona International Speedway this past Friday

                                                                                                    

CORONA, Calif., (March 10, 2008) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto – and the rest of the AMA Supercross Lites field – battled through one of the muddiest tracks in supercross history this past Friday, with Villopoto eventually holding on to 2nd place overall in the ten lap rain-shortened Daytona Supercross, Round Ten of 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.



With the effort Villopoto moved all the way up to 4th place in the overall Lites class standings – a mere seven points out of 2nd place.



“Those conditions were insane,” said Monster Energy rep Kyle Krause, who was on the infield of Daytona International Speedway for Villopoto’s race. “It just got to where it wasn’t worth it for Ryan to push it. At times he was the fastest guy out there. Then he’d make a mistake and go down. It was all just so gnarly.”



Villopoto won his heat race (No. 2) and was the fastest racer in the only seeded pro practice session (1:16.590).



Note: Villopoto’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate, Branden Jesseman, failed to qualify for the main.



Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is the Saturday (March 15th) running of the Minneapolis Supercross at the Hubert Humphrey Dome, Round 11 of 2008 Monster Energy Supercross.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Villopoto, Jesseman, Stroupe & Metcalfe dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

We are excited to announce the launch of the new Monster Energy Supercross microsite.  As the title sponsor of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, our microsite will serve as the ideal platform to showcase our involvement.  The site is a great source of original content!  Check out Monster Cross TV, Monster downloads, or let us know what you think by voting in the weekly Monster poll.  The new Monster microsite will be the best place to check out breaking SX news, videos, and interviews throughout our multi-year deal.  If you don’t see it on Monster’s microsite then it just didn’t happen. 

Check it out www.supercross.monsterenergy.com.

124 days since the end of the 2007 Moto GP season in Valencia, Spain, the action begins again in the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar.  This is the first stop of the 2008 Moto GP season with Monster Energy riders John Hopkins and Anthony West of Factory Kawasaki and James Toseland from Yamaha representing on the Losail Circuit.  This is the first ever Moto GP event to take place in the dead of night and the track is light up perfectly in the middle of the desert.  The race is 22 laps long and will cover 73.55 miles.  With 16 corners and the longest straight at .66 miles long, the lights that cover the track are equal to 70 football field’s worth of lights. 



 



John Hopkins who was 4th overall in the point standings last year is on a new team this year with Factory Kawasaki. Hopkins is looking to better his 4th place finish last year at the Losail race and will be racing his 97th Moto GP race.  The 24 year old Californian who has had four podiums in his career is looking for his first Grand Prix win.





 

James Toseland hails from the UK and will be riding his first ever Moto GP event.  In each of the last two years in the World Superbike Championships, Toseland has walked away from Qatar with victories.  In his first Grand Prix race, Toseland is looking to be the first British rider in 18 Moto GP events to walk away with points scored. 







Anthony West is a 26 year old Australian who has raced the circuit on a 125, 250, and is now in the premier class of Moto GP.  His first win was in The Netherlands in 2003 and he is hoping this year can get him his first Moto GP win on his Kawasaki.  West has never had much luck in Qatar the last four years.  Three years in a row his bike broke and last year he finished 13th.  Hopefully this will be the start for new beginnings for West with the night race.







Whilst the Grand Prix event is the first to ever be held at night, all the Monster riders have been preparing themselves for the race but staying up till 3 or 4 am every night.  There will be 11 different World Champions who will line up for the Qatar race, but with some luck of the night, one of the Monster Energy riders will be standing on top of the box late Sunday night!

Monster/Kawasaki’s Roger Lee Hayden (SuperSport) & Erion/Honda’s Josh Hayes (Formula Xtreme) headline Monster’s U.S. road race series team



CORONA, Calif., (March 7, 2008) –  Monster Energy is backing four top shelf racers on the 2008 AMA Superbike Championship, presented by Parts Unlimited, tour – which is up and running in full force this weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla.



Daytona International Speedway is the launch site for the Monster Energy-backed racers shooting for AMA road racing titles or, in the case of Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Roger Lee Hayden and Erion/Honda’s Josh Hayes, defending titles.



“Both Roger Lee and Josh return this year to run the Monster M-claw logo – titles in hand and wicking up the action quickly this weekend in Daytona,” said Monster Energy’s John Lee, Director of Sports Marketing. “We enjoyed a number of race victories and podium finishes in 2007 and are looking forward to much of the same this year with our Monster athletes racing the AMA Superbike Championship.”



Leading the charge for Monster Energy will be Hayden – who won his first AMA Superbike Championship title this past year, capturing 1st place overall in a hotly-contested SuperSport championship race. The SuperSport runner up in 2005 and ’06, Hayden had two SuperSport overall wins last year and finished on the podium four additional times. He also had five top five finishes in the premier Superbike class. Note: Hayden made the podium (3rd) in yesterday’s SuperSport opener.



Teaming up with Hayden again this year on the Monster Energy/Kawasaki team will be Jamie Hacking. The Brit was the runner-up to Hayden in SuperSport last year. But it’s been ’06 that’s been Hacking’s best year-to-date, winning the SuperSport and SuperStock titles. Hacking was 6th overall in the Superbike class last year and was part of what many consider to be last year’s best race – and exciting SuperSport duel with fellow Monster Energy-backed racer, Hayes, at Road Atlanta.



Speaking of Hayes, he’s back again running the Monster Energy M-claw logo and defending his Formula Xtreme championship. The two-time Formula Xtreme class champion (2006-’07), Hayes (Erion/Honda) notched seven wins and an additional podium finish en route to the championship last year. He also had four SuperSport class wins and an additional podium, finishing 3rd overall in the ’07 SuperSport class standings.



The final racer on the Superbike tour running the Monster Energy colors will be the UK’s Chaz Davies (Attack/Kawasaki). Last year, in his first full year racing the Superbike Championship, Davies finishes 6th overall in Formula Xtreme with two podium finishes. He also scored two top five SuperSport finishes. His efforts in ’07 got him an honorable mention nod for the AMA’s “Breakthrough Rider of the Year.” Note: Davies finished 4th in yesterday’s SuperSport class race.



“Monster Energy will again be well-represented on AMA Superbike series podiums across the United States,” said Monster Energy spokesman Scott Sepkovic. “We’ve got a solid core of racers in Hayden, Hayes, Hacking and Davies and we’re confident they will represent the brand well throughout the 11-round series beginning this weekend in Daytona.”



Check out all the Daytona AMA Superbike opener racing action on SPEED. For more information on the series, link to www.amasuperbike.com .



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, rally, rock crawling, MX, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. All the guys running the Monster Energy logo on the AMA Superbike Championship tour dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Young Norwegian snowboard phenom throws down in Japan for 1-1 finish

CORONA, Calif., (March 6, 2008) – Monster Energy’s Mikkel Bang, one of snowboarding’s proverbial ‘next big things,’ rode this past weekend in Japan like he’s already the big thing, sweeping both the Rail Jam and Parkstyle finals at an epic Japan/Nippon Open contest, Round Five of the 2008 Burton Global Open Series.

Bang, a Burton Snowboards-sponsored rider who just aligned himself with Monster Energy this winter, was stoked with his 1-1 performance on the sports main stage last weekend.

“This is a big win for me and a successful weekend all around,” said Bang.

In the Nippon Rail Jam event Bang pulled clean tricks through the duration, including backside lip slides and then wowed the crowd with a nose press to Nollie front flip off the last box. Results: Bang gets the gold.

Next up in the Parkstyle Bang took the lead on his first run and never looked back, though it’d be his second run that would seal the win. Again, gold to Bang.

Word got back to Oslo, Norway, that Bang won and everyone was pumped. Same thing at Monster Energy HQ as a chorus of “Yeahs!” rang out when the news hit www.monsterenergy.com

Next up for Bang on the Burton Global Open Series is the granddaddy of them all - the one that got the snowboard craze started – the 2008 Burton U.S. Open. Action gets underway March 17th.

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it those sledboard things, MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, skis, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Mikkel Bang digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy Rail Jam and Casino Night

Last weekend was the first annual Monster Energy/ Boarding For Breast Cancer Rail Jam and Casino Night.  What better place than Bear Mountain for a Monster Energy mid winter bash. It wasn't’t your typical rail jam format, with side by side jibs.  It was more like a park where the riders had more room to show their skills. Although it was a bit more hiking than they were used to, the riders enjoyed this format and layout.

Out hiking the course with all the "Bear" locals was Monster Energy Skier, Peter Olenick. Peter and his entourage were in Big Bear on a film trip. When the big wigs at Bear Mountain found out Peter was in town it turned from a Snowboard Jam to a Ski and Snowboard Jam. Although it was Peter’s birthday (he turned six this leap year), Peter didn't show up for the money. “I'm just gonna go out there and ski with the kids, the money is for them” said a charitable Olenick. He wowed the crowd with his Olenick-sized back flips.

Also hiking the course was Monster Rider and Big Bear local Zak Hale. Zak is one of the main members of the Midget Maphia. Zac was not in the competition, but a rail jam could not go down on his home mountain without him at least throwin' a few tricks down.

The weather was good and the Monsters were kept flowin' into the After Party/Casino Night. The winners won a round trip vacation to Jamaica. Thanks to Bear Mountain and Boarding for Breast Cancer, this truly was an amazing event…See you next year.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!!!!

 Monster-backed Josh Weisenfels returns to lead Fred Andrews’ off-road program a the Melbourne, Fla., Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series opener.







PHOTO: JEFF KARDAS



CORONA, Calif., (March 6, 2008)– Sporting a new look with the Yamaha YZ250F bikes for ’08, the Monster Energy-backed (Fred) Andrews/Yamaha team opened up right where the left off at the final round of last year’s Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, putting two guys up on the box in the XC2 class.



Led by Josh Weisenfels’ 2nd place finish, along with Monster/Andrews/Yamaha newcomer Dustin Gibson’s 3rd place finish, the Monster/Andrews/Yamaha team dominated the podium at the Parts Unlimited Triton GNCC in Melbourne, Fla.



“Josh traded for the lead the whole race and finished 2nd on his Monster/Andrews/Yamaha to give Yamaha a sweep of the podium,” said Andrews. “Dustin, who was in 5th after the first lap, crashed on lap two and put himself at the back of the pack. So it was good to see him put his head down and charge through the checkers to get 3rd.”



The third member of the 2008 Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha team, Dave Snyder, placed 13th overall after having to stop in order to get his shift lever fixed.



Next up for the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha team is this weekend’s (March 9th) Maxxis General GNCC in Washington, Ga.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it off-road, enduro, MX, road racing, supermoto, FMX, skate, MTB, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Fred Andrews and his boyz dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

 Abbott has his ‘A-game’ going and brings the KLX home for the o/a win

CORONA, Calif., (March 3, 2008) – Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott, competing in a one-off Best in the Desert Series – the Laughlin (Nev.) Hare Scramble - this past weekend, teamed with 16-year- old Josh Morros to win the overall bike portion of the enduro by some two minutes. Abbott used the event as a tune up of sorts for tomorrow’s opening round of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series in Melbourne, Fla.

Here’s Abbott’s account of the BitD event:

Pre Race:

This is the only race I do in the Best in the Desert series, and I always enjoy it. It’s a lot more technical then any of the other races, and they only race bikes (not cars or trucks like the other ones). It’s also usually my only team race of the year, and my teammate this year is Josh Morros. He’s been riding awesome, and I was pretty confident we had a great shot at the win before the race.

Race Day:

Josh was going to start, and we would switch the KX450 off every half of a lap (each lap would make a figure eight into the pits). The first half was 17-miles, and my part was around 21-miles. We would do this three times before we would get the checkered flag. Josh was the third Pro off, because they started every 20-seconds. He rode an awesome first section, and stayed right on David Pearson who started right in front of us. He actually passed him in the pits when they were fueling up.

When we were switching riders, David stayed on the bike and went back by us. I ended up staying around 15-seconds behind him for most of my first loop. Unfortunately right before the pits I took a huge digger.

I was pinning it down this fast section, and hit a rock in the middle of the course (didn’t see it) and almost saved it. I was going to do a huge endo, but when I was saving it my feet landed on the right side of the bike and I had to let go. It actually could’ve been way worse then what it was. I was pretty sore, but was able to ride it in to Josh for his second section.

We were a little over 30-seconds back from David (but he also started 20 in front of us). Josh put in another great ride, and was able to get by Rob (David’s teammate) and put us in the lead. I jumped on the bike again and had a nice clean ride, but we started to get into the lappers and had a few close calls with them. This time I gave the bike back to Josh for his last stint. Russ was able to get by his cousin David Pearson and was now in second (about a minute and twenty seconds behind us on adjusted time). The course was definitely getting a lot rougher and harder to pass, but yet again Josh rode perfect and put more of a gap on the Pearson team.

Now it was up to me to finish it out! I really felt good again, and had a nice clean last section. I ended up bringing it into the finish for the overall win! I believe we won by a couple minutes, but I didn’t care how much it was as long as it was the win.

Abbott’s Overall Summary:

“I was really happy to get another win here. The bike worked awesome and we really didn’t have any problems, beside my one crash. I had a good time, but the race took a little more out of me then I thought it would. I’m still really happy with my fitness, but I might have to work on a few things to make sure I don’t sit down J I’m sure we’ll be back next year to try and repeat!”

Next up for Destry Abbott and the Monster Energy/Kawasaki off road team is “Bike Week” in Florida beginning on Tuesday. Abbott will then contest the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series’ Triton GNCC beginning Tuesday (March 4).

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it enduro, hare scrambles, MX, road racing, supermoto, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Destry Abbott digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Villopoto crashes on lap five of 15, re-mounts and races back to 2nd place from as far back as 8th; teammate Branden Jesseman holeshots and gets 6th

CORONA, Calif., (March 3, 2008) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto bounced back from rough weekend in Atlanta to make the podium in Indianapolis this past Saturday, despite hitting the deck in the main event and having to charge from behind versus the fast field at the final event ever at the RCA Dome, Round Nine of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.

Villopoto, who with his 22-point effort at Indy moved into the top ten in the ESX Lites class’ overall standings despite finishing the Atlanta opener with zero points, had to overcome a lap five crash when he was trying to overtake Trey Canard for the lead. The wreck sent Villopoto careening off the track and back to 8th place before he was able to right his Pro Circuit-tuned KX250F and give pursuit.

Said Villopoto on the crash: “I dove into that turn and got on the front brakes hard and it lifted the rear end up, moved it over to the left and I caught a Tuf Block. Before I knew it I was flying over the top of the berm. Sort of ruined my night, but I salvaged as much as I could.”

Villopoto added that he hasn’t had the “greatest two weeks in a row,”

but his plan is to turn it around at Daytona this Friday.

Finishing 2nd to Villopoto in the second heat race was his teammate, Branden Jesseman – giving the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team a 1-2 finish. Jesseman parlayed that momentum into the main where he pulled the $1,000 Progressive Insurance holeshot. Leading early, Jesseman gave up the top spot to Canard and then the No. 2 position to Villopoto – but held on strong in 3rd. He’d (Jesseman) then inherit the lead back when Canard and Villopoto were involved in a crash, only to lose the lead on a crash of his own on lap seven.

Jesseman had the speed, though, and was able to make it back to 6th place from outside the top ten – clocking the third fastest lap time of the night in the Lites class main (47.629).

“I got the holeshot and it shows you how good these bike are,” said Jesseman of his Pro Circuit-tuned KX250F. “I made a little mistake, stalled it in the corner – those things happen. I’m feeling more comfortable, work to do my best and hopefully I’ll get up on top of the box one day or another.”

Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is the Friday (March 7th) running of the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway Supercross, Round Ten of 2008 Monster Energy Supercross.

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Villopoto, Jesseman, Stroupe & Metcalfe dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com .