Monster Energy’s Ben Townley & Ryan Villopoto Go 1-2 @ Lakewood

(Colo.) MX National



The two AMA Lites class superstars are tied atop the overall points standings; teammates Bret Metcalfe & Chris Gosselaar also race well







CORONA, Calif., (July 23, 2007) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki’s Ben Townley overcame a first moto crash to finish 2nd in the AMA Motocross Lites class on Sunday in Lakewood, Colo., then took advantage of a Ryan Villopoto wreck in the second moto to take the win in that moto – which included the overall victory with a 2-1 two- moto finish.







The win for Townley has him tied with Villopoto atop the overall Lites class standings, each racer boasting 310 points – well ahead of the next closest competitor.







“I don’t see any reason why the championshp won’t come down to the last moto of the last race at Glen Helen (San Bernardino, Calif.) – right in Hansen Beverage Company’s backyard,” said Townley. “This has been a great summer of racing for both Ryan and I and I’m definitely looking forward to continuing this exciting summer of racing this weekend in Washington.”







In the first moto Villopoto dominated after Townley crashed early in the race. To his credit Townley was able to get back aboard his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit-tuned Kawasaki KX250F and re-gain a crucial spot on the podium (2nd). That would be key as the rugged Lakewood track would grab Villopoto in the second moto, forcing him to the ground and having to play catch up. Townley, however, would have built too much of a lead and Villopoto was unable to close the gap as Townley not only won by 17.4 seconds – he also put up the fasted lap time in moto two.







“Ben rode real well today,” said Villopoto. “We each had a crash, but mine came in the second moto – which is where you can’t afford to crash. This weekend it’s back to my hometown track, Washougal, for Round Eight of the series. And that’s the race I look forward to the most all summer.”







In fact, the locals in Washington – where Villopoto grew up racing – have re-named the track “Area 51,” honoring Villopoto (who’s former race number was 51 prior to winning the No. 1 plate last year).







Also racing well for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team was Bret Metcalfe. The California transplant (via Australia) would go 5-5 for 5th overall while teammate Chris Gosselaar would place 14th.







Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is the July

29 Washougal (Wash.) MX National, Round Eight of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.







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. Townley, Villopoto, Metcalfe & Gosselaar dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s R.L. Hayden Wins AMA Supersport Race To Open Laguna Seca MotoGP Weekend



Roger Lee takes over the overall series points lead from Josh Hayes in an exciting turn of events at the popular NorCal race track







CORONA, Calif., (July 23, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed Roger Lee Hayden (Monster Energy/Kawasaki) put an early race pass on Yamaha’s Josh Herrin and made it stick with his Kawasaki ZX-6R – barely – winning an excting AMA Honda Oils Supersport, presented by Shoei, race at the picturesque and highly attended Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif., this past weekend.







And, if that wasn’t enough, Roger Lee stepped up and finished 10th in the MotoGP event – the top finish by an American in the world’s premier road racing event at Laguna - the only time the global series stops in the States this year.







“It was the highlight of a great weekend of racing for our team,” 

said Hayden of his Supersports victory. “It was cool to see everybody from Monster up here for the race. I’m pumped I was able to get a win for Monster and Kawasaki.”







Soon after passing Herrin for the lead on lap four, Hayden came together with Supersports series points leader Josh Hayes, which sent Hayes to the ground. The incident allowed both Hayden, along with teammate Jamie Hacking (who finished 4th in the race), to pass Hayes in the overall points standings. As it stands Hayden has 214 points to 2nd place Hacking’s 201. With the DNF Hayes dropped to 3rd overall with 185 points. It should be noted that Hayden has been the most consistent rider in the Supersports class with five podium finishes in seven races, including two wins.







Also well for Monster in the Supersport class at Laguna was Erion Racing/Honda’s Aaron Gobert (Erion Racing/Honda). The Aussie speedster charged back to near top-five contention (6th overall) after starting outside the top ten and in 9th after the first lap.







Furthermore, Monster’s final rider in the event – Danny Eslick – placed a respectable 12th in the 36-rider field.







In the premier AMA Superbike, presented by Parts Unlimited event, Hacking finished a strong 6th in the highly talented field and was Monster’s highest placer.







Next up for the Monster Energy-backed AMA Superbike Series racers is Round Eight of the series at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio (Aug. 3-5).







Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, 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. Roger Lee Hayden, Jamie Hacking, Aaron Gobert and Danny Eslick dig ‘em – so will you. 

On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Nate Adams Captures Gold In Dew Tour FMX Finals



Adam Jones (5th) gives Monster Energy two of top five FMX spots; other Monster athletes shine in the prelims, but manage to sketch in the finals







CORONA, Calif., (July 23, 2007) – Monster Energy was led this past weekend at the second round of the 2007 Dew Tour in Cleveland by FMX star Nate Adams, who captured gold in the weather delayed & shortened marquee event.







Adams, who won the prelims by a point (92.67 to 91.67) over Japanese rider Takayuki Higashino, was awarded the victory when high winds forced race officials to cancel the finals. Adams’ top prelim run was highlighted by a soaring back flip over the 96-foot jump, a flip/nac- nac combination and flip Cliff Hanger combination.







“I’m bummed we weren’t able to get in the finals, but I feel the Dew Tour officials made the right call on that,” said Adams. “Out of all the sports here, FMX and high winds don’t mix too well. Taka was riding unreal and I’m looking forward to the next time we get to go at it.”







Adam Jones (5th) gave the Monster Army at the Dew Tour two of the top five spots in FMX – including the gold!







Had the other events been cancelled after the prelims as well, Monster Energy would have had a couple more gold medal-winning efforts from skater Greg Lutzka (Skate Park) and BMX Vert specialist Jamie Bestwick. Both athletes won their respective prelim events, but managed to get shut out of the medals in the final – both finishing 7th.







“I just sketched in the finals,” said Lutzka. “I’m bummed because I was ripping in the prelims.”







Added Bestwick: “Felt great after the prelims but, yeah, I just didn’t have it going in the finals. A couple mistakes really cost me.” Noteworthy: Bestwick had won five consecutive Dew Tour BMX Vert contests heading into Cleveland this past weekend.







Also tearing it up in the prelims for Monster was Ryan Guettler (BMX Dirt). Guettler was back to his ’05 form, throwing 360s off the drop- in, hucking a front flip off the first hit then winding things up with a double tail whip off the last jump. For his efforts Guettler made his second finals this summer, scoring 2nd in the prelims. But Guettler wasn’t able to keep the heat on during the finals and slipped to 11th.







In BMX Park Monster’s Dave Mirra was solid in the prelims, scoring a 4th to make the finals. Right on his tail was his Monster Energy/ Mirraco teammate Mike Spinner (5th in the prelims). Mirra kept the momentum heading into the finals and placed 5th – missing the podium by a half a point. Spinner didn’t fare as well, skidding to 11th place in the BMX Park finals.







Wrapping up the Skate Park competition scoring for Monster Energy was Jereme Rogers. The east coaster improved from 11th in the prelims to 8th overall in the finals. On the Skate Vert ramp Pierre Luc “PLG” 

Gagnon was the only Monster Energy-backed athlete to make the finals, placing 7th in the prelims and 9th in the finals.







Next up for the Monster Energy athletes on the Dew Tour is the Aug. 

16-19 Vans Invitational in Portland, Ore.







Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it BMX, skate, FMX, MotoGP, MX, road racing, supermoto, off-road, MTB, off-road, surf, snow – 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. The guys running the iconic Monster “M-claw” logo are diggin’ ‘em on the Dew Tour – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com

Monster Energy’s John Hopkins Had The Speed, But Crashed Out Of Podium Finish At Laguna Seca GP



Hopkins shows top three speed despite an early race crash that sent him to the pits and out of podium contention at MotoGP’s only USA stop







CORONA, Calif., (July 23, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed MotoGP racer John Hopkins (Rizla-Suzuki) suffered an early race crash at the MotoGP tour’s American stop at Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterey, Calif.) and was forced to the pits for bike repairs, halting a possible shot at the overall podium here in his native America.







As reported by the Rizla-Suzuki team, Hopkins got off the line well from his third row start, but collided with another rider and was forced to the ground – causing considerable damage to his Suzuki GSV-R.



Said Hopkins: “What can I say? It definitely sucks and I’m really disappointed. It was especially disappointing that it was my home Grand Prix and I was out of it so early on. Up until the crash everything was going well. I got a good start and went into the turn right up there. Somehow Nicky (Hayden) came wide and I went up the inside of him, but as I did that I guess he didn’t see me and as he cut back in we came together. He hit my front brake lever and I went down. I got back to the pits and the crew did an awesome job changing the parts so quickly so that I could get back in the race. I wanted to carry on and use the race as a simulation, but now that I have come in and seen my times compared to others I’m a bit more disappointed – but hey that’s racing! My Suzuki and the Bridgestone tires worked really well today, and thanks to Stuart and all the guys for a great job all weekend. I’d like to congratulate Chris (teammate

Vermeulen) on his podium, he should have had one last year so he deserved that today, I’m pretty sure I’d have been there with him as well if other things hadn’t have happened!”



Hopkins would end up 15th overall and scored one championship point. 

He’s currently in 6th place overall in the MotoGP standings.







Next up for Monster Energy’s Hopkins is the Aug. 19th running of the Czech GP at Brno, Czechoslovakia - Round 12 of the MotoGP Series .







Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MotoGP, 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. 

John Hopkins digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Ben Townley Wins AMA Lites Class Overall At Monster Energy/Nice N Easy Unadilla National



Townley wins first moto, o/a and ties teammate for series point lead







CORONA, Calif., (July 16, 2007) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki’s Ben Townley dodged a bullet, er, rock in the first moto that might as well have struck his teammate Ryan Villopoto in the heart when the AMA Lites class series points leader’s (Villopoto) bike was struck with a rock – rendering it unrideable – and handing the Monster Energy Nice N Easy Unadilla MX National over win to Townley with a 1-3 finish.







The two Monster Energy-backed athletes are now tied atop the Lites class points standing, each with 263 points on the season.







Said Townley: “You hate to see something like that happen, especially to a teammate and friend like Ryan. But both of us understand it’s part of racing. It allowed me to make up some points from where I’d ran into some bad luck earlier in the season and now we’re all tied up heading into Colorado.”







The unfortunate situation occurred in the first moto when Villopoto was charging towards the podium early in the race after a not-so- great start put him in 7th place after lap one. At no fault of his (or Pro Circuit and Kawasaki’s for that matter) Villopoto’s KX250F took a rock to the radiator, which caused the coolant to leak out and forced Villopoto to the sidelines.







Nonplussed, Villopoto came back seemingly possessed in the second moto and dominated like he has for much of the season. “Those things happen,” he said of the first moto incident. “You’ve got to count on it happening to you once or so a summer. Hopefully I’ve got that out of the way now. And congrats to Ben on winning. He rode real well today.”







The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki bikes were obviously the fastest on the track at Unadilla. Villopoto won the timed pro practice by nearly 1.5 seconds (over Townley and was tops in the second moto by well over a second again ahead of Townley.







Noteworthy: Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Chris Gosselaar was 15th overall, going 8-23.







Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is the July

22 Lakewood (Colo.) Pro National, Round Seven of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.







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. Townley, Villopoto & Gosselaar dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Ivan Tedesco (Makita/Suzuki) Scores A Season-Best Finish @ Monster-Backed Unadilla MX



Tedesco shines at the Monster Energy Nice N Easy Unadilla MX National, going 4-5 for 5th overall in the premier AMA Motocross class







CORONA, Calif., (July 16, 2007) – One of Monster Energy’s longest running MX sponsored athletes, Ivan “Hot Sauce” Tedesco, broke out of a slump and came up with his best finish of the Outdoor National MX season – a 4th overall in the premier AMA Motocross class at the Monster Energy Nice N Easy Unadilla MX National, Round Six of the

2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.







Tedesco, who missed the first three rounds of the Nationals with an injury, had previously cracked the top ten only once this summer with a 9th at Budds Creek. This past weekend at the fabled Unadilla National – the granddaddy of all United States motocross tracks – Tedesco had his Makita/Suzuki RMZ450 on a rail, taming the high speed Euro GP-like track with some of the day’s best lap times and overcoming any sort of problems that would have relegated him to a less than acceptable finish.







“I had a solid two weeks of practice and training during the time off after RedBud and was able to really focus on Unadilla,” said Tedesco. 

“I’d never had that great of results here (Unadilla), so I figured this would be a good track to prove myself on. It’s physically tough and very demanding on the equipment and Suzuki had my bike set up perfectly. I’m confident I can carry the momentum into Colorado this weekend – a place where I won in 2005.”







Tedesco benefitted from good starts all weekend and, in the first moto, was able to get past factory Kawasaski racer Tim Ferry on the last lap to capture 4th. In the second moto Tedesco got out in 6th place after the first lap, moved up to 5th and wound up putting distance between himself and 6th place finisher Mike Alessi of the factory KTM team.







As it stands Tedesco’s in 12th place overall, again having missed the first three rounds. Look for him to make a Monster-sized assault on the top ten within the next two weeks.







Next up for Monster Energy’s Ivan Tedesco and the Makita/Suzuki team is Round Seven of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships at Lakewood, Colo. (July 22nd).







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. Ivan Tedesco digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence Makes Another O/A Podium, This Past Weekend @ Unadilla, N.Y.



Lawrence is the model of consistency, going 4-4 for 3rd overall and, more importantly, pulling to within three points of 3rd overall in Lites standings







CORONA, Calif., (July 16, 2007) – Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy) scored yet another AMA Lites class podium finish, this past weekend at the namesake Monster Energy Nice N Easy Unadilla MX National, Round Six of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.







In front of his adopted hometown fans the New Jersey native put up consistently fast 4-4 finishes in the two moto format and moved to within three points of Josh Grant for 3rd overall in the Lites class standings, 212-215.







“It was awesome having all my family and friends there this past weekend – maybe too awesome,” said Lawrence. “It kind of made it hard to focus on the race. But I pulled a couple pretty good starts and didn’t make too many mistakes. I could probably second guess myself on not riding as aggressively as I normally do, but I don’t care – I had a great time this weekend in New York and made the podium.”







Lawrence got out to front pack starts in both motos, coming around in identical 6th place positions after the first lap in both the first and second moto. From there he dispatched with a couple factory bikes that were ahead of him – as he usually does – and moved up to 4th place in both motos with lap times consistent with the top racers.







“I’m only like three points back of Grant for the overall podium, and I’ll be looking to make that up this weekend in Colorado,” said Lawrence. “Yamaha’s got my bike dialed and there’s nothing that’s going to hold me back.”







Next up for the Monster Energy’s Lawrence is the July 22nd Lakewood

(Colo.) MX National, Round Seven of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships.







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. Jason Lawrence digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing Trophy Truck Tuned & Ready To Rock @ SCORE Terrible’s Cup III



Driver Alan Pflueger plans on rebounding in a big way after disappointing finish at recent Baja 500 in this short course SCORE- International event







CORONA, Calif., (July 12, 2007) – Having scored the runner-up position at the second annual Las Vegas Terrible’s Cup to Monster Energy’s Robby Gordon last year, Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing’s Alan Pflueger is pumped in a big way to get back after it here next week at Terrible’s Cup III.







And, Pflueger added, pretty much everybody in the hotly contested Trophy Truck class will stop at nothing to reach the top of the Terrible’s podium.







“Burnt rubber and Fiberglass flying,” said Pflueger on the competition level. “This should be an exciting one to watch because most of the desert guys don’t have much short course experience.”







The July 19-21 SCORE-International event opens with Thursday’s $10,000 Terrible’s Trophy Truck Pit Crew Challenge on Vegas’ Fremont Street, then busts out into the desert for practice and racing – culminating with Saturday’s premier Trophy Truck class.







“The weekend of Terrible’s Cup is action packed,” said Pflueger Racing’s Mike Emerson. “We plan on doing real well in the pit crew competition, then carrying that momentum into the race Friday and then again on Saturday.”







Emerson said that some adjustments have been made to the Monster Energy-backed Pflueger Racing Trophy Truck, adding: “We changed some suspension and chassis stuff and added a little more motor.”







The points chase for the top spot in the SCORE-International Trophy Truck division is about as close as it’s ever been with only 13 points separating 1st (BJ Baldwin) and 4th (Pflueger) in the overall points chase as the popular off road series enters the midway point of the season with the Terrible’s Cup.







“There’s more trucks entered this year and we’re looking forward to the added competition and making up some points in the title chase,” 

added Pflueger. “Our mid- engine truck works very well on this style of track (short course).”







In addition to the pit crew competition and the race, the Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing team will be all over Vegas, making numerous promotional and autograph signing appearances. Make sure to keep an eye out for the Monster Energy sampling truck that will also be cruising around Vegas all weekend handing out ice cold Monster Energy Drinks.







Next up for Pflueger, RJ and the rest of the Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing Team is the July 19-21 Las Vegas Terrible’s Cup III.



Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, 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. Alan Pflueger digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy Steps Up To Sponsor Unadilla (N.Y.) Outdoor National Motocross Event This Weekend!



Round 6 of the ‘07 AMA Toyota Motocross Championships joins Mt. 

Morris, RedBud & Steel City on the list of MX Nationals sponsored by Monster!







CORONA, Calif., (July 12, 2007) – Monster Energy, in cooperation with the New York-based Nice N Easy convenience stores, will be the title sponsor of this weekend’s Unadilla Outdoor MX National, round six of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship series.







Dubbed the “Monster Energy Nice N Easy Pro National at Unadilla,” 

the event will mark the fourth race Monster Energy has stepped up as the title sponsor for during the 2007 pro motocross season.





Said Monster Energy Director of Sports Marketing, John Lee: 

“Unadilla presented us with a great opportunity to team up with one of our larger retailers – the Nice N Easy store chain – in a joint effort to promote our brand and a retailer, along with the sport of motocross at what’s widely known as the ‘Grandfather of U.S. 

Motocross Tracks’ – Unadilla.”







Founded in 1969, Unadilla and its widely photographed track nestled into the rolling hills of Upstate New York, has played home to some of the most landmark motocross events in the sport’s history here in the States. The 1.7 mile long track has challenged legendary international motocross racers from Joel Robert, Roger DeCoster and Heikki Mikkola to American motocross pioneers such as Brad Lackey, Marty Smith and Gary Jones – who won the first AMA National at ‘Dilla back in 1972.







“The fan-friendly natural terrain is akin to the classic European motocross track design – wide open with loamy black dirt, high speed flowing turns and obstacles,” said Lee. “Unadilla is a favorite motocross destination for Europeans coming over to watch American motocross.”







The high speeds at the Monster Energy Nice N Easy Pro National at Unadilla will not only challenge the intestinal fortitude of the riders, the track also features two of the largest jumps on the circuit – “Sky Shot” and exit out of the notorious “Gravity Cavity.”







For more information on this weekend’s event, link to www.unadillamx.com







Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, MotoGP, 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. Fans attending the 2007 Monster Energy Nice N Easy Pro National will be diggin ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Rick Carmichael (MX) & Sarah Burke (Ski) Nominated For ESPY Awards



Monster Energy stars of motocross and women’s free skiing both enjoy stunning seasons and hope to be rewarded on ESPY program this Sunday.







CORONA, Calif., (July 12, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed Ricky Carmichael (Makita/Suzuki), viewed by most as the Greatest Motocross Racer Of All-Time – aka the “GOAT,” and women’s freestyle skiing ace Sarah Burke, winner of the 2007 Winter X Games gold medal in the premier Superpipe event, have both been nominated as for the men’s and women’s Extreme Sports Athlete of the Year, according to ESPN.







This is Carmichael’s fourth nomination for the ESPY Athlete of the Year award and, according to industry insiders, he’s favored to win versus surfer Kelly Slater, skater Danny Way, FMX’s Travis Pastrana and snowboarder Andreas Wiig.







“It’d mean a lot to win,” said Carmichael, who wrapped up his Outdoor National motocross season two weeks ago with a win at RedBud (Mich.) – his fifth overall win in five tries on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship tour this summer. “I’ve been nominated before and it’s always pretty cool to attend that event. Couple years back we sat with (skater) Bob Burnquist and his wife.”







Burke is up against surfer Layne Beachley, snowboarders Jamie Anderson and Torah Bright and skateboarder Elissa Steamer.







“I’m stoked just to be mentioned with those other great athletes that were nominated,” said Burke. “I mean Layne’s won like seven world surfing titles and Elissa’s considered to be the greatest female skater ever. So yeah, being the only skier nominated is pretty much a win in itself!”







In addition to winning the Winter X Games’ Superpipe gold in Aspen this past January, Burke also won the 2007 Global X Games Superpipe and Nippon Open Slopestyle event and was named the ESPN Female Skier of the Year.







The 15th annual ESPY Awards show airs on Sunday (July 15th) at 9 p.m. 

EST on ESPN.







Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, skiing, 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. RC & Sarah dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Carpenter & Hibbert Win Calgary Monster Energy/CMRC Canadian MX Nationals

Paul Carpenter again tops the MX1 class field on his Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki; teammate Tucker Hibbert is tops in MX2

CORONA, Calif., (July 9, 2007) – Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter and Tucker Hibbert both recorded class wins this past weekend a the Calgary (Alberta) stop on the Monster Energy/CMRC Canadian Nationals MX, round five of the 2007 Canadian pro motocross series.

Carpenter was the fastest rider all weekend, winning his third MX1 class National of the summer with a 2-1 two moto finish. The New York native, who’s been leading the Monster/Canadian MX Nationals points chase since the opening round, passed fellow American Josh Woods late in the first moto to secure 2^nd place, then holeshot and led the second moto for 1^st place and the overall victory.

“I think that’s my best effort so far this summer,” said Carpenter. “My Cernic’s Kawasaki KX450F was the best-tuned and fastest bike out there. And thanks again to Monster for their support! We just passed the halfway point of the season and we’ve got the overall points lead, looking forward to extending that lead this when we get back after it this weekend in B.C. (British Columbia).”

Hibbert, a natural American/Canadian crossover star with the fans due to his skill on a snowmobile, also had his bike on a rail. Hibbert won the first moto with a late race pass on NorCal’s Eric Nye. Then, in the second moto, having taken advantage of a Jimmy Nelson crash in moto one, Hibbert overcame a crash to finish 5^th – going 1-5 for the overall win.

“I’m pumped,” said Hibbert. “There were a lot of fast guys in the class and I wasn’t sure I’d get the overall with a 5^th in the second moto, but things worked out for the best.”

Also, Monster/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Jeff Gibson finished 5^th in the MX1 class going 13-4.

Next up for Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Carpenter, Hibbert and Gibson is this weekend’s (July 15) Nanaimo, B.C., round of the 2007 Monster Energy CMRC Canadian MX Nationals.


The Monster Energy Canadian Nationals schedule is as follows:

Date               City/Province                                   Venue

5/27                Ste. Julie, Quebec                            Ste. Julie

6/3                   Courtland, Ontario                             Gopher Dunes

6/17                Morden, Manitoba                             Shadow Valley Raceway

6/24                Regina, Saskatchewan        ReginaMotoValley Raceway

7/8                   Calgary, Alberta                                Wild Rose Motocross Park

7/15                Nanaimo, British Columbia              The Wastelands

8/5                   Moncton, New Brunswick                 Riverglade MX Park

8/12                Ottawa, Ontario                                 San Del Lee

8/19                Walton, Ontario                                 Walton

For more information on the Canadian Nationals and CMRC, link to their website at: www.cmrcracing.com

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, MotoGP, 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. Paul Carpenter, Tucker Hibbert, Jeff Gibson and all the guys racing for the Monster Energy Canadian Nationals dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence Moves Into 4th Place Overall In AMA Lites Class With 4th @ RedBud

Spectacular 2nd moto crash is only thing that kept Lawrence #338 off the overall podium and even closer to 3rd place in the overall standings

 

CORONA, Calif., (July 2, 2007) – Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy) had another AMA Lites class podium finish in the bag this past Sunday at the Monster Energy Kawasaki RedBud National, only to suffer a spectacular crash – then battle back through the pack to salvage 6th place in the moto - which coupled with his first moto podium finish gave him 4th place overall on the day.

 

“I saw a line on the parade lap that I thought might just work,” said Lawrence. “So I went for it in the second moto and ended up cross-rutting and got thrown down pretty violently. Good thing was I was OK, my YZ250F fired right away and I was able to get back through the pack to 6th. The crowd was sick. Biggest one I’ve ever seen at a National.”

 

Though he didn’t wind up on the podium, he was definitely the third fastest rider out there behind the 1-2 Monster Energy-backed finishers (Ryan Villopoto and Ben Townley). Lawrence came into Sunday’s event having put up the second fastest time in Saturday’s timed practice, merely a 100/th of a second behind Villopoto. Lawrence then carried that confidence over into Sunday’s race, and with two solid starts found himself with the front runners again this week.

 

“Yamaha’s got my bike dialed big time – you can see from my starts,” said Lawrence.

 

In the first moto Lawrence got out in 4th and dispatched eventual 3rd place finisher (due to Lawrence’s second moto crash), Josh Grant, early in the race to make the podium in 3rd. In the first moto Lawrence’s top lap time was two seconds faster than Grant’s, 2:33.233 to 2:35.229. In the second moto Lawrence also topped Grant’s best time by a half a second, though Grant would inherit 3rd place in the moto and 3rd place overall when Lawrence crashed.

 

“Who cares,” said Lawrence of his concern with 4th instead of 3rd. “I’m pinning it at Unadilla.”

 

As stated earlier, Lawrence now has a solid hold on 4th place overall in the AMA Motocross Lites class standings with 176 points – only eight points behind Josh Grant in 3rd place overall.

 

Next up for the Monster Energy’s Lawrence, a New Jersey native, is a homecoming of sort at the July 15th Monster Energy Nice N Easy Unadilla Pro Nationals at Unadilla Valley Sports Center (N.Y.).

 

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. Jason Lawrence digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s John Hopkins Is Top Five Again In MotoGP Action, This Time @ Dutch GP

Hopkins move up to 4th place in the overall standings

 

CORONA, Calif., (July 2, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed MotoGP racer John Hopkins (Rizla-Suzuki) blitzed his way from sixth place on the Dutch GP starting grid to another top five (5th) overall finish on the world’s premier motorcycle road racing stage, elevating himself to 4th place in the overall series points standings.

 

In front of 90,000 fans at the Assen TT, Hopkins got out with the leaders early and established himself in 2nd place for the first half of the race. Some vibration issues would besiege the American-born rider, yet he soldiered on to only give up two spots in the feverously contended race.

 

Said Hopkins: “It was definitely a tough race out there today and I feel like I’ve been in a real battle! I really put my heart into that race and worked hard to get that result. I wanted to be on the podium real bad today and I so much wanted to catch (Casey) Stoner at the start. I was trying so hard, but I was getting some real bad vibrations around some of the turns and was losing about half-a-second through a certain section of the circuit. This meant I had to work even harder throughout the rest of the lap, but I lost a bit of rhythm and (Valentino) Rossi and then both the Hondas got by me. A big thanks to Monster, along with my crew this weekend because we didn’t have the best of set-up at the start of the weekend, but they improved it tremendously. Now we go on to Germany and I can’t wait to get there and just carry on from where we have left off this weekend – I know we will be on that podium again soon!”

 

Next up for Monster Energy’s Hopkins is Round Ten of the MotoGP Series next weekend (July 15th) in Sachsenring, Germany.

 

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MotoGP, 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. John Hopkins digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert Scores A Solid 15th Overall @ RedBud Outdoor National

Hibbert goes 16-14 in the two moto format in front of nearly 30,000 fans

 

CORONA, Calif., (July 2, 2007) – Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Tucker Hibbert took a break from racing the Monster Energy CMRC Motocross Nation_als West Coast MX2 class to challenge some of the world’s best Lites class motocross racers on the Toyota AMA Motocross Championship Series’ stop at its premier track, the Monster Energy Kawasaki RedBud National, presented by Concept Haulers.

 

“We came down here not really knowing what to expect and came away with some pretty descent results,” said Hibbert. “Felt good in practice, set myself up with a mid-pack gate pick after my qualifier and was able to finish in the top 15. This will definitely give us some more confidence heading back to the Monster Energy Canadian Nationals this weekend in Alberta.”

 

In the first moto Hibbert managed to stay upright in a tight first turn start and gained a few spots to end the first lap in 16th place – a position he’d hold through out the race, which was his first American MX National of the summer. In the second moto Hibbert got a better start (9th) and was poised to score a top ten finish, riding in around 11th and 12th place for much of the race before settling on a respectable 14th overall. Hibbert’s 15th place overall finish was the tops by a true privateer in the Lites class, earning him an extra $2,000 bonus money from the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross.

 

“I’m definitely planning on hopefully racing a few more Nationals here in the States,” said Hibbert. “We had a lot of fun at RedBud this weekend.”

 

Noteworthy: Hibbert will be a guest this week (Wed.) on DMXS Radio. For more information link to www.dmxsradio.com

 

Hibbert and the Monster Energy Canadian MX Nationals return to action this weekend (July 8th) at Wild Rose Motocross Park in Calgary, Alberta.

 

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. Tucker Hibbert digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Monster Energy’s Carmichael Again Tops Monster/Kawi’s Stewart @ RedBud In His Final Race

Ricky Carmichael caps off farewell tour undefeated (5-0) with come-from-behind win over James Stewart at the Monster Energy-sponsored RedBud National

 

CORONA, Calif., (July 2, 2007) – In what he’s saying is his last Outdoor National motocross race of his career, Monster Energy-backed Ricky Carmichael (Makita/Suzuki) made it five overall wins in a row in five events on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship tour, this past Sunday coming from behind to top fellow Monster Energy-backed racer James Stewart in front of the largest crowd to date this year at the Nationals’ jewel event – the 2007 Monster Energy Kawasaki RedBud National, presented by Concept Haulers.



_”This is my favorite track and the fans here are the best,” said a pumped-up Carmichael when he was introduced for his farewell parade lap at the race. Moments later Carmichael hopped behind the wheel of the famous Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing Baja Trophy Truck and burnt another hot lap around the RedBud facility - roosting his way through the serpentine track as the crowd went bananas again!

 

When the racing got started Carmichael found himself chasing a guy who broke all of his amateur records – Monster Energy/Kawasaki-backed James Stewart – and the guy who broke both of their amateur records, KTM’s Mike Alessi. The two Monster riders made short work of the Red Bull-backed Alessi, then opened up a near minute lead over Alessi by the end of the race. During that time Carmichael and Stewart kept the near 30,000 fans on their feet as the track announcers nearly went hoarse calling the incredible action.

 

“It’s Stewart, with Carmichael showing him a wheel!,” bellowed track announcer Tim Cotter over the southwestern Michigan countryside. “They’re going back and forth, standing toe-to-toe like a couple prize fighters!”

 

With Stewart right on his front wheel in the corners late in the race, a minor slide out by Carmichael would cost him – handing Stewart the first moto. In the second moto the tables were turned and Carmichael, who was pressuring Stewart hard again after racing from behind to catch him, took advantage of a Stewart miscue and captured the 2-1 moto win, the 149th combined motocross/supercross win of his career. Carmichael’s fifth consecutive win of the season also gives him a 16-point lead over Stewart (241-225).

 

In addition, Carmichael has now won two of three rounds of the 2007 Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross.

 

“I want to again thank everybody at Monster for their involvement with my motocross career,” said Carmichael. “Monster has played a big part with our program the last few years and I look forward to continuing my relationship with Monster as we continue our transition into auto racing.”

 

As for if he might return to Steel City (Pa.) for the final round of the Triple Crown, Carmichael, of course, had to keep the fans guessing. “We’ll see,” he said with a laugh.

 

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. RC digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

 

Monster Energy’s Villopoto & Townley Again Go 1-2, This Time @ Monster/Kawasaki RedBud National

Monster Energy again flows from the top of the Outdoor National MX Series podium as Villopoto and Townley reign supreme @ RedBud!

  

CORONA, Calif., (July 2, 2007) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto added to his AMA Motocross Lites class points lead through five rounds of the 2007 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, this past weekend again going 1-1 over teammate Ben Townley (2-2) to capture the Monster Energy/Kawasaki National at RedBud, presented by Concept Haulers.

 

The dominating win by Villopoto came in front of the largest crowd of the year at the Nationals, some 30,000 in what’s considered by many to be the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series’ premier event.

 

“It’s exciting for Monster Energy, Pro Circuit and Kawasaki that it’s coming down to me and Ben at the Nationals,” said Villopoto. “My KX250F ran perfectly and I just focused on my race, got the results I was hoping for.”

 

Both Villopoto and Townley distanced themselves from the 3rd place podium finisher in both motos by a mile. In the first moto Villopoto topped Townley by almost three seconds, with the 3rd place rider being more than a minute behind the two Monster Energy-backed riders. In the second moto Villopoto got Townley by four seconds, with the 3rd place rider being nearly 1.5 minutes back – an eternity in a 30-minutes plus two-lap race at this level.

 

“Ryan rode excellent this weekend,” said Townley, who had to make a trip to the emergency room on Saturday with searing stomach pains that were initially thought to be his appendix, though tests proved negative. “I did have to deal with some pain, so I’m pleased to be able to go 2-2 on the weekend.”

 

As it stands Villopoto now has a 20-point lead (238-218) over Townley for the overall Outdoor National MX championship title. The next closest competitor is Josh Grant who’s only got 184 points.

 

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Chris Gosselaar also made the top ten (9th), going 10-11 in the two motos. The effort moved Gosselaar into the top 20 overall (18th).

 

The Monster Energy/Kawasaki RedBud National was also highlighted by Pro Circuit’s Mitch Payton who was riding shotgun with former Pro Circuit/Kawasaki racer Ricky Carmichael and his hot lap in the Monster Energy/Pflueger Racing Baja Trophy Truck, sending the ReeeeddddBuuudddd fans already hot-wired on free Monster Energy drinks into a frenzy!

 

Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is the July 15th Monster Energy Nice N Easy Unadilla Pro Nationals at Unadilla Valley Sports Center (N.Y.).

 

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, Townley & Gosselaar dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.