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With an ever-growing global foothold on the energy drink market, Monster focuses its efforts in Chile & Argentina with Gordon and Dakar to open ‘09
By: Pat Schutte
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 29, 2008) – It was less than a year ago when Monster Energy’s Robby Gordon was blasting through the countrysides of Hungary and Romania in his glowing green M-claw GM Hummer, turning heads of the local townspeople – many of whom had never seen either of the two unique American brands.
And when they weren’t racing the ’08 Dakar Rally, which had been hastily rescheduled to the central European countries due to terrorist activity in northern Africa, Gordon was stoking out Hungarian and Romanian race fans on Monster Energy product – the first time ever America’s No. 1 by volume energy drink was available in that area of the world.
This week Monster Energy’s ambassador to the global off road racing community and his team of 23 Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Off Road Racing team members (including several guys from his NASCAR team) – and flanked by a handful of Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience contest winners – jet down to Buenos Aires for the 2009 Dakar Rally held this year in and around the geologically diverse countries of Argentina and Chile.
Though somewhat of a rookie to the international off road wars apart from Baja, Mexico, of course, Gordon is liking his and the Monster Energy/Hummer team’s chances at Dakar ’09. Rewind quickly to last year’s Dakar and Gordon almost won – in just his second attempt at the race. A mere 30 seconds out of the lead and running in 2nd place on Day Six of the abbreviated seven-day (from 16 days) event, Gordon blew a rear hub/spindle fixture, which ended his run at the title. In his previous Dakar effort Gordon placed 8th in 2007.
The nearly 6,000 mile long 2009 Dakar Rally does its best to re-create the sheer thrill and technical difficulties that the previous Dakar events have presented to competitors since the great race’s inception in 1979. The Argentina/Chile route will consist of everything from sand dunes to mountainous conditions in order to challenge the drivers - running the plains of Patagonia, across the Atacama Desert and through the Andes Mountains (all in the heat of summer south of the equator) to the race’s culmination in Buenos Aires on Jan. 17th.
Busy as heck getting everything organized, Robby Gordon was still pumped to reach out to the Monster Army members and share some pre-race thoughts on the 2009 Dakar Rally from his Monster Energy/Hummer HQ in southern California.
Monster Energy: So the great Dakar adventure race is now in South America. Is this a good thing for the Monster Energy/Hummer team?
Robby Gordon: “I think it’s going to be cool. It’s going to a place where nobody has a home court advantage – at least none of the factory teams. Racing Dakar for us, where it’s traditionally been run, would be like their teams coming over to the Baja and racing us. I know Baja like my backyard. But in Africa, Morocco, that’s where Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, BMW do all their testing. It’s their backyard, their home court advantage. So in that sense moving the Dakar to South America is great. Nobody really knows that ground in Argentina and Chile.
Monster Energy: Do you think we will ever see the Dakar run again in its place of origin?
Robby Gordon: “ I do, personally. Last year the problems they had down there just showed we live in a world where terrorism is a reality. But I think it’s a high possibility that we’ll go back there next year or the year after and I look forward to the challenge. Safety is obviously the main concern and the organizers have shown they can bring the Dakar together in other countries and I think it could be run as well in Mexico and Australia. But on the other side of it it’s still called the ‘Dakar.’ So, yes, I think it will be run there again.”
Monster Energy: Have you been down to Argentina and Chile to check out some of the circuit?
Robby Gordon: “No, you’re not allowed to pre-run. That’s one of the things about the Dakar that makes it so challenging is that there’s no pre-running allowed. But that makes for a level playing field, which will make for great racing and a lot of fun for the Monster/Hummer Dakar race team.”
Monster Energy: Tell us about the vehicle you’ll be running down there as it differs from you SCORE/Baja ride Monster Army members last saw you run at the 1,000.
Robby Gordon: “We’re running the Hummer H3. It’s got a V8 engine, same motor that they ran in the Corvette C6-R in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Built specifically for GM’s motorsports program in Detroit.”
Monster Energy: Are you packing a spare hub this time?
Robby Gordon: “We broke a left rear hub on my car last year, actually broke the spindle, which cost us a shot at the win. Since that we’ve done 15-20,000 miles worth of testing and I feel we’ve got the right fix for our problem. I think we’ll be good and I don’t foresee any real problems with regards to hub problems – think we’ve got that fixed. A few years ago we got bad fuel, and we have a solution to that as well. Throughout the years we’ve continued to make improvements on our race cars and the reliability of them and this year with our Monster Hummer I feel we’re as well prepared as we’ve ever been.”
Monster Energy: You just signed with Toyota for your ’09 NASCAR program. Are they interested in working with you on your off road interests as well?
Robby Gordon: “I started my off road career with Toyota, but right now it’s strictly a NASCAR program. Obviously in 2009 we’re running Hummers. I’ve got a good relationship with Hummer and we’re starting to build some chemistry together and for myself I’d like to see that continue for years to come. We’ve got a lot of equipment built up, a lot of parts built up specifically for Hummer and we’re as well prepared with our two Hummers and we’re ready to hit the Dakar and rock & roll.”
Monster Energy: Who’s going to be your main competition at Dakar?
Robby Gordon: “Your competition is yourself when you have a vehicle like we have that’s capable of winning. Let’s not beat ourselves is the first main concern. Then you’ve got to look at the guys that win these things. Stefan Peterhansel (France), who knows that desert (Dakar) like I know the Baja. And I think we’re all on a level playing field now. Carlos Sainz (Spain), Giniel De Villiers (South Africa), our team. Three Mitsubishi, four Volkswagens, three BMWs and two Hummers – as well as a bunch of other strong privateers in the premier division. It’s an extremely tough race and real competitive. VERY difficult on the machinery. Beat the other competitors, yeah, but don’t beat ourselves.”
Monster Energy: Any race strategy heading into Buenos Aires?
Robby Gordon: “Start at a little bit of a conservative pace and see how that sets the stage for us. But I feel confident we’ll be competitive throughout the whole rally.”
Monster Energy: At first glance the geography and geology of Argentina and Chile looks to be considerably different than northern Africa. However, race organizers have the option to keep you guys in a lot of sand – similar conditions to that of northern Africa. How will this affect your plan of attack?
Robby Gordon: “The amount of racing on a daily basis that you have to do for 16 days straight will be the most challenging aspect. A new challenge every day. Our Monster/Hummer is good in the sand. It’s good on the rocks. It’s good in the mountains. It was good in the snow in Hungary and Romania and we see no reason why it’s won’t be strong in South America as well. We’ve worked hard on the reliability and the team aspect of this and I feel we’ve got all the tools we need to do this job.”
Monster Energy: Who’s your co-driver?
Robby Gordon: “Andy Grider has been navigator on the program since its inception in 2006.”
Monster Energy: How many people will you have down there supporting you? Any guys from your NASCAR team?
Robby Gordon: “All totaled, 23 guys going on the team. Four of the guys have come from my NASCAR team, my truck driver is one of them – Randy Rodriguez, Glen Wheeler, my tire specialist, along with two other guys from my NASCAR shop. But obviously I can’t say enough about my off road team and the craftsmanship and quality of vehicles they build. And my NASCAR guys were there from the final build as well so they know these Monster/Hummer cars real well also. The cars are already shipped and we’ve got a good index and a good manifest of all the parts, which should make our jobs easy when we get down to Buenos Aires for New Year’s and the start of the race.”
Monster Energy: What goals have you set for the Monster Energy/Hummer Dakar team?
Robby Gordon: “We’re there first to finish. As they say, ‘You must first finish to finish 1st.’ First goal of finishing and the second goal of winning. Got a LOT of people that have worked very hard on this. Not only the guys at my shop but a lot of our suppliers from ProAm and Kartek and everyone that builds parts for us, to the shop that builds our shocks absorbers. All down the line we’ve got a quality group of people that have built quality parts for the Monster/Hummer. The motors from GM, the transmissions from Albins and Ron Lettle – to everything we’ve done – we’ve got a good group of guys ready to rock & roll.”
Monster Energy: One last question…what’s in store for the Robby Gordon Experience contest winners?
Robby Gordon: “They had a blast at Baja. You can watch the clip they put on YouTube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iswxd1sWSPw Very cool.
I don’t know if the experience will be as wild because we don’t have our pre-runner ride vehicles to take them out in – like Baja – but the Monster Energy Robby Gordon Experience contest winners will be going to a completely different country, different than Baja, something different for us as well. Should be a real good experience and I’m looking forward to it.”
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it Dakar, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Robby Gordon digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Terror on the Basebaths: Previewing the 2009 Monster Energy Supercross Series Starting Lineup By Eric Johnson On Saturday day evening, January 3, 2009 in Anaheim, California’s Angel Stadium, the Monster Energy Supercross Series — a series that in 1976 became a proper, stand alone discipline of motorcycle racing — will begin its 33 annual series of competition in the NFL Football and Major League Baseball stadiums of the United States of America. Leading the way and certain to be terror on the basebaths all winter long in the 17-race series will be an army of Monster Energy-supported racers. To that end, let us introduce them to you. Team Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Born on the eve of the 1991 supercross series, Team Honda approached Mitch Payton and his rapidly growing Pro Circuit aftermarket operation in Corona, California and asked him if he wanted to operate their factory 125cc racing program. Payton went out, found a major sponsor, and said yes. And the rest, as they say, is history, On Saturday night, January 11, 1991 in the Orlando’s Citrus Bowl, Team Peak/Honda/Pro Circuit Honda rider Brian Swink won the very first race the team entered! “We freaked out,” smiles Payton. “We couldn’t believe it. We won our first race.” While the team is now referred to as the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, it is now the early winter of 2009 and in the past 18 tears future legendary riders such as Jeremy McGrath, Brian Swink, Mickael Pichon, Ricky Carmichael, Grant Langston and Ryan Villopoto have won the Payton’s team seven AMA Lites National Championships and 15 AMA Regional Supercross Championships. Pro Circuit has always prided itself in the line “We Race”. Well, 22 number one plates certainly slams home the point that not only does Pro Circuit race, it wins. And wins A LOT! For the 2009 AMA East and West Region Supercross Series, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team will send out Jake Weimer, Ryan Morais, Austin Stroupe and new team member, 2008 MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray. “My life revolves around racing,” begins Ryan Morais. “I ride every day and train and other than that, I cycle. That’s honestly about it. I’m usually in bed or asleep by no later than 9 O’clock. This year is really big for me and I’m definitely taking full advantage of the opportunity Mitch has given me and I just want to know going into whatever Coast I’m racing that at the first round I’m 110% prepared.” Last summer, Ryan Morais came down with a badass strain of staph infection called methicillin–resistant Staphylococcus aureus. So intense was the infection that it took the Californian out of action for months. Aware that the longtime Lites rider deserved a chance, in October, Mitch Payton and his omnipotent Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team decided to take a gamble on Morais and signed him up for the 2009 season. “I definitely think I can win now. Especially with the equipment that I’m on. I should be able to get some starts. I think that’s always been my weakness as far as being able to be up there to win a race these last couple of years. I’ve always kind of struggled with them. I think with the equipment and get good starts and be up front and be a threat for a win every weekend.” Joining Morais and on Payton’s team for the first time in his career will be Jake Weimer. Despite placing 15th in the 2008 AMA West Region Supercross Championship and posting up some rather erratic results, Weimer did win his first race at Chase Field in Phoenix, and caught the eye of Pro Circuit chief Mitch Payton. “There’s definitely some work ethic going on down there at Pro Circuit,” says Weimer. “They’re not afraid to burn the midnight oil. Like I said, when I was testing a bunch, there were times where I would test until I couldn’t see anymore. You know it’s definitely tough sometimes, but it’s just good to be around a team where everybody wants the same thing — to go out there and win. It’s definitely good.” And Jake’s goal in 2009? “To win the championship, for sure. There’s no negotiating that one. That’s what I need to do.” Filling out the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team will be 18 year-old Austin Stroupe. Easily the sensation of the 2008 West Region Supercross Series, the youngster who hails from outside Charlotte, North Carolina won his first supercross as a rookie last winter, powering away from the competition to win before 50,000 fans in Houston’s Reliant Stadium. Tapped as a champion in the making, Stroupe is often compared to former teammate Ryan Villopoto (more on him a bit later). “I love to race,” says Stroupe. “I dedicate my whole life to it 100% Racing is my life. I want to be like Ryan Villopoto. He has accomplished so much already. I look up to him and have learned a lot from him.” Although added on as an eleventh hour team member as anticipated rider Christophe Pourcel injured his collarbone during off-season training, former Red Bull KTM rider and MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray has been tapped by Payton to ride for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team in 2009. A bit of an unknown quantity in supercross, the hard riding South African will undoubtedly find his way. Jason Lawrence/Team Monster Troy 800 Occidental Avenue South in Seattle, Washington — location of the 68,000 seat-football stadium known as Qwest Field — was the site of the finale of the 2008 AMA West Region Lites Supercross Series. Leading antagonist Ryan Dungey of the Rockstar Makita Suzuki outfit, by six points, Monster Energy rider Jason Lawrence rode steadily in Jet City to place second and win his first AMA Supercross Championship. “Winning the championship is so good,” said Lawrence after the main event. For the 2009 AMA West Region Championship, Lawrence will be the lead player in the newly formed Monster Energy/Yamaha of Troy team. Backed heavily by Monster and Yamaha, Lawrence, who has been training hard in the last two months will be hard to beat in his title defense. Josh Hill: Team Yamaha For the 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, Team Yamaha factory rider Josh Hill was moved up to the premiere 450 Supercross classifications. Due to teenagers the teenager’s physical growth, Yamaha was forced to make the decision and Hill came through with flying colors, scoring two excellent runner-up finishes at both Anaheim II and Indianapolis. Them on Saturday night, March 15, 2008 and before 40,982 fans inside the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Hill claiming his first career AMA Supercross victory. After watching another class rookie, Ryan Dungey Makita Rockstar Suzuki outfit, grab the holeshot and lead the first three laps, Hill moved the Minnesota native out of the way and cleared out to win the race by precisely 5.397 seconds. "Getting second was amazing a few races ago," smiled Hill from the podium. "I don’t know how to put it into words - this win. The season has had its ups and downs, but this is huge for me. Yamaha put faith in me, and I am grateful for that." Look for the Monster Energy-backed Josh Hill to not only win races in 2009, but to contend for the championship, as well. Ryan Villopoto: Team Monster Energy/Kawasaki For the 2009 Monster Energy Supercross Series, Washington State-born Ryan Villopoto moves from the Supercross Lites division and up to the mighty AMA Supercross classification. And, lest we forget, his arrival in the world’s premier motocross series is so hyped and highly anticipated, he is already being typecast as a future Ricky Carmichael or James Stewart. A three-time and reigning AMA Motocross Lites Champion, in recent years, Villopoto has been acknowledged as the fastest, most determined and feared 250F rider in the world. Replacing the great James Stewart — Stewart gas moved on to form his own team with Yamaha — many believe that Villopoto has everything required to challenge former champions Chad Reed and James Stewart for the 2009 title in his rookie year on the big and powerful 450F motocross bike. And he also has a score to settle. Last spring, on Saturday night, April 19, 2008 at the final round of the 2008 East Regional AMA Lites Championship Series in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Ryan Villopoto, lost the championship to Honda rookie Trey Canard on the last lap of the race when the two collided and Canard came out ahead. Now with the smaller 250c bikes behind him, Villopoto is keen to show the world he’s ready for the major league and the Monster Energy rider would like nothing more than to stun motocross fans around the world by winning the Formula 1 title of motocross in his rookie year He rally can do it. Tim Ferry: Team Monster Energy/Kawasaki Tim Ferry, aged 34, is the elder statesman of American motocross. About to line up for the 18th AMA National Championship series of his astonishingly long career, Ferry has just become stronger and more confident with age. “I mean I guess I have things figured out now,” smiles the native f Florida who will help rookie teammate Ryan Villopoto get his head wrapped around the series in 2009. “I get more of a rush on the bike while I’m racing now then I’ve ever had. I really ready to get going.” Quite a way of looking at the professional motocross life from a rider who has experienced every single physical and mental up and down conceivable in the sport. Nonetheless, look for Tim Ferry to be every bit as consistent and driven in 2009, a perennial front runner more than capable of finding his way up onto the podium in 2009.
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Green Electric Glow: 5 Minutes with Jake Weimer By Eric Johnson It wasn’t exactly the best-kept secret in the pits. By the time the 2009 AMA Motocross Championship was anywhere near being halfway over, the word swirling amongst the parked semi-trucks that make up the Trans-American tour was that Jake Weimer of the heavily Honda-backed GEICO Powersports team would, at season’s end, be making a move across the paddock to the much admired machine with nearly 25 AMA Number One plates affixed to the side on it: The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki hauler. Despite placing 15th in the 2008 AMA West Region Supercross Championship and posting up some rather erratic results, Weimer did win his first race at Chase Filed in Phoenix, and as the season would down to its climax, had caught the eye of Pro Circuit chief Mitch Payton. Thus by the time the first few National rounds were over and in the media books, Weimer, clandestinely, had a letter of intent in his gloved hand and henceforth, a transformation began, Weimer’s results began to spool-up and were punctuated by consistency. He was on his way to the house that Mitch built and felt good about it. It’s now the 19th of December and the season-opening Anaheim Supercross is but two weeks away. Cognizant of the fact that Jake Weimer would likely begin his tenure at Pro Circuit at Angel Stadium, we hunted him down to get a read on is masterplan. Jake, what are up to this evening?
Well, I just did a little bit of riding at Ryan’s [Morais] house and now I’m on my way to Pro Circuit to drop my bike off. I spoke with Ryan Morais last week and it sounds like you two guys did the majority of the testing for the team for 2009…
Yeah, yeah, because [Austin] Stroupe got hurt and then [Christophe] Pourcel got hurt right after. I probably was the first one to start testing because I was healthy and I just got on the bike so they started testing me with me. I think Stroupe started testing the 2009 first and then I did a bunch of stuff after that. So, yeah, Ryan and I have done a lot of testing, for sure. Just how long have you been riding and testing the bike
Well, I have been on a pretty good, solid program for probably, I don’t even know. It’s been a couple months. Before that I was riding a lot and testing and I got sick for a little bit, so that out me on hold. But I’ve been going petty strong for a couple months. Is your race stuff pretty close to being done?
Yeah, that’s actually something we’re trying to work on right now — trying to figure out a way so I can ride my race set-up tomorrow. We have a good setting that I’m comfortable with, so I’m going to try and finalize everything, So if you do ride the West Region, you can pretty much lock everything down for Anaheim tomorrow, huh?
Yeah, I would be ready to show up there right now, for sure. This autumn, you came over to the Pro Circuit team from the GEICO Powersports/Honda team. How do you feel about your Pro Circuit bike?
It’s good. It’s really good. It’s been really enjoyable getting used to the new bike and getting used to the new team. And as far as the bike goes, it’s definitely something good. I think everybody knows that the PC is probably the best one on the track. It’s definitely living up to its reputation. We all hear so much about the team’s work ethic and the substantial amount of testing the organization performs, now that you have the best seat in the house, what’s you take on the Pro Circuit team?
Yeah, well that’s definitely all true. There’s definitely some work ethic going on down there. They’re not afraid to burn the midnight oil. Like I said, when I was testing a bunch, there were times where I would test until I couldn’t see anymore. You know it’s definitely tough sometimes, but it’s just good to be around a team where everybody wants the same thing — to go out there and win. It’s definitely good. I think sometimes it is a little bit difficult because everybody does work so hard and I think that’s probably where a little bit of the pressure comes in with riding for Pro Circuit. It’s there because everybody works so hard. Is the atmosphere within the team different then that of Factory Connection’s?
Yeah, I would say that it is for sure. I don’t want to get anybody mad at you, but it what way?
I’m trying to think of how I’m going to say this… I just think when you’re riding for Pro Circuit — you’re expected to win. I think that’s why you get hired to ride for Pro Circuit: You’re expected to win and I think that helps bring the best out of you. You know you’re expected to go out there, and maybe not win every weekend, but you’re expected to do well, very well. Whether that means winning every race r whether that means getting on the box every race. It varies from rider to rider, but I think they’re expectations of you help bring the best out of you. You’re expected to do well and if you don’t then they’re not going to be happy. I think that makes the difference. You closed out the 2008 Nationals in a very strong manner. In the final four rounds, you were never out of the top six and then found yourself on the podium at Steel City. Were you beginning to become more confident?
Yeah, for sure. I think I’ve always been one of those people who have a little bit of a tough time believing in myself. Pretty much all of us in the amateurs were winning at some point. I think everybody likes winning. But you get beat for so long that you finally get to a point where you get tired of getting beat. That’s kind of where I’m at and I’m trying to make steps to where I don’t get beat. I’m tired of getting beat and I want to win again. So that was kind of the mentality that was going on in the last couple outdoors. So it felt good to sand on the podium again?
Yeah, it did, for sure. What did you think of your 2008 supercross season?
It was like being at Six Flags and riding the biggest roller coaster there. It was tough! I worked my butt off coming into supercross last year. I was training hard and was doing everything I could do and I really believe that. I was ready to win; I wanted to win. I went to Anaheim I and ended up going down pretty hard in my heat race and hurt my shoulder really bad. I didn’t know if I was even going to be able to race Phoenix. I went there and won that race. Then I had problems at Anaheim II. Then at the races that came after, I kept winning my heat races and going to the main and I would fall all the time. It was one of those deals that go into my own head because I would win my heat race and then I would go to the line and be like, “All right, here we go.” And I would be like a golfer saying to himself, “Don’t miss this putt! Don’t miss it!” And then they’d miss it. That was the same thing I was doing. I would be like, “Get through the first lap and don’t fall! Don’t fall! Don’t fall!” Then I would fall. It was tough and it was a bit of a mental battle for me, but I learned from it. It is something I can at least look back on and learn something from it rather than saying, ‘I don’t know what happened.” I do know what happened. I got inside my own head and it was, mentally, a tough season. And you were able to explain that to Mitch?
Yeah, he knows. Yeah, he knew. He watches everyone, whether they know it or not. He’s been around for a long time and he knows what’s going on. If you do ride the West Region, as far as end results go, what’ll make you happy at the end of the season?
To win the championship, for sure. That’s the masterplan, is it?
There’s no negotiating that one. That’s what I need to do.
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“Tune In” Adam Jones and Mark Carter Featured On “The Daily Habit” Thursday, December 25, 2008 Airing Thursday, December 25, at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (6:00 pm Pacific Time) and telecast three additional times, Adam Jones and Mark Carter will appear on The Daily Habit. Today, Dew Tour FMX Champion Adam Jones tears through the Habit. Plus, we hang with ripping snowboarder Mark Carter. Also, Jessica Chobot stays up late for the highly anticipated launch event for Gears of War 2: Midnight Mayhem. Adam Jones’ sponsors include: DC, Smith, Fox, Monster, Maxxis Tires, Ogio, Works Connection, Pro Taper, MB1 Suspension and EVS. Mark Carter’s sponsors: Vans, Smith, The North Face, Atomic, Red Bull, Bluebird Wax, Union, Estate, I AM Designs, Jackson Hole Mtn., Jackson Treehouse and Drop Gloves.
Mark Carter And Adam Jones
"The Daily Habit" is FUEL TV’s first original daily series, telecast weeknights at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) while re-airing later in the evening at 12:00am ET (9:00pm PT), and the following weekday at 2:30pm ET (11:30am PT) and 5:30pm ET (2:30 pm PT). “The Daily Habit” encompasses the world of the action sports enthusiast, mixing the best in pop culture with today’s top action sports personalities, cutting-edge music, product reviews, and comedy.
About FUEL TV 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 25-million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
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“Tune In” Adam Jones and Mark Carter Featured On “The Daily Habit” Thursday, December 25, 2008 Airing Thursday, December 25, at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (6:00 pm Pacific Time) and telecast three additional times, Adam Jones and Mark Carter will appear on The Daily Habit. Today, Dew Tour FMX Champion Adam Jones tears through the Habit. Plus, we hang with ripping snowboarder Mark Carter. Also, Jessica Chobot stays up late for the highly anticipated launch event for Gears of War 2: Midnight Mayhem. Adam Jones’ sponsors include: DC, Smith, Fox, Monster, Maxxis Tires, Ogio, Works Connection, Pro Taper, MB1 Suspension and EVS. Mark Carter’s sponsors: Vans, Smith, The North Face, Atomic, Red Bull, Bluebird Wax, Union, Estate, I AM Designs, Jackson Hole Mtn., Jackson Treehouse and Drop Gloves.
Mark Carter And Adam Jones
"The Daily Habit" is FUEL TV’s first original daily series, telecast weeknights at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) while re-airing later in the evening at 12:00am ET (9:00pm PT), and the following weekday at 2:30pm ET (11:30am PT) and 5:30pm ET (2:30 pm PT). “The Daily Habit” encompasses the world of the action sports enthusiast, mixing the best in pop culture with today’s top action sports personalities, cutting-edge music, product reviews, and comedy. About FUEL TV 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 25-million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
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 Monster Energy’s Ryan Capes Interviewed On ESPN Magazine’s Website!
ESPN Magazine reporter Chris Palmer catches up with Monster’s Capes and talks about the world distance motorcycle jumping record holder’s plans for 2009 CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 22, 2008) – The guy with the biggest set of yarbles in all of action sports – Monster Energy’s Ryan Capes – is the subject of a cool interview in the latest ESPN Magazine action sports blog by reporter Chris “C-Palm” Palmer. Here’s the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3778552 Jumping a motorcycle farther than anybody in history – some 393 feet – Capes and Palmer discuss what went down this past year and what Capes and Monster have planned for 2009 “Palmer’s cool. We had a good time talking and he’s definitely a dude that ‘gets it,’” said Capes. “Always good to get some press for our sport on one of the bigger mainstream sports websites. Hits football fans right in the mouth with that ‘No friggin’ way’ factor, you know?” Keep an eye on MonsterArmy.com for an in-depth interview with Capes on his upcoming big MTV jump. Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it insane distance jumping, rally, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Ryan Capes digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Sarah Burke tops the Monster athletes with a win in Freeski women’s Superpipe; Jossi Wells (freeski) and Mikkel Bang (snowboard) both place 2nd in Slopestyle and Elena Hight is 3rd in women’s Snowboard Superpipe CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 22, 2008) – Monster Energy-backed athletes racked up the hardware at this past weekend’s inaugural AST Winter Dew Tour event in Breckenridge, Colo., in a star-studded field rivaled only by the ESPN Winter X Games and Winter Olympic Games in terms of both global ski and snowboard talent.  Leading the Monster Army was the world’s best women’s vert rider, freeski sensation Sarah Burke. In fact, if you took the amplitude and height of Burke’s bionic airs on her first hit and judged it vs. the men, she’d have medaled in the men’s Superpipe contest as well! “Saw so many Monster Army members hanging out and cheering all of us on – yeah!,” said Burke. “It made me feel like I had the home mountain advantage.” While Burke blasted as big as the men, she also threw down with some plenty technical spin tricks – w/ grabs – that earned her 1st place, some ten points ahead of the next closest competitor. Also born & bred to rip and shred on skis is Monster Energy’s Kiwi sensation, Jossi Wells. The fun-loving ‘New Zoolander’ had 1st place in men’s Freeski Slopestyle locked down – until local and relatively unknown (until now) Breck ripper Bobby Brown wowed everybody with a colossal final run in the weather-shortened event. Wells sparked his edges on the Slopestyle rails and boxes, throwing switch 630s into both switch 1080s and a switch 900 nose, then closed with a blind 630 out of the up rail. It would take a legendary effort to top him, and that’s what the 17-year-old Brown would put up.  “Yeah, he killed it,” said Wells of Brown’s run. “Just sets the stage for some more big finals this year on the Winter Dew Tour. I can’t wait now for Vermont (Jan. 8-11 at Mt. Snow).” Buckling into the sledboards and ratcheting up the afternoon was Monster Energy’s Mikkel Bang – who closed out the ’08 competition calendar with another big podium finish. The Norway-born Bang qualified well in the Snowboard Slopestyle alongside fellow Scandinavian Andreas Wiig and top American Shaun White. Buttering the landing on a switch 720 to switch backside 900 – and then closing with a boosted frontside 10 – Bang took hold of the reins on the overall lead after the finals’ first run. Bang had to drop in last on the second and final run of the Snowboard Slopestyle finals, and the 18-year-old was forced to play catch up following White’s tremendous second run. And Bang didn’t disappoint the rowdy Monster Army members hillside, stepping up and throwing a Cab 720 into a switch 9, then landed on of the loudest frontside 360s of the competition. End results: The judges felt Bang’s technical merits were behind that which scored him high in his first run. 1st place, White, 2nd place, Bang. “I just enjoyed my last run,” said Bang on the podium. “I’m okay with 2nd place. I just wanted to have fun during my second run and I did.” Back in the Superpipe, top Monster Energy-backed women’s vert rider Elena Hight made the podium with perennial American Superpipe lords, Gretchen Bleiler and Kelly Clark, while edging out other top women’s Superpipe rider Hannah Teter. Hight was on it, combining a Hawaiian-shaped surf style with a blitzing Tahoe-honed aggro pipe attack that featured clean front and back 9s and enough style points to earn her a 82.0 scored and some 3rd place hardware! Nice going, Elena! Other noteworthy performances from Monster Energy athletes at the inaugural Breckenridge Winter Dew Tour comp included: Peter Olenick: 4th place Freeski Men’s Superpipe; Louie Vito: 5th Snowboard Men’s Superpipe; Danny Kass: 8th Snowboard Men’s Superpipe; Torstein Horgmo: 7th Snowboard Men’s Slopestyle. The AST Winter Dew Tour reconvenes at Vermont’s Mt. Snow in a few weeks, Jan. 8-11. Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it mountain sports, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Everyone at the inaugural AST Winter Dew Tour Breck round dug ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Fans at 12 of the 17 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, rounds can get in the pro pits free with an empty can of Monster!
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 17, 2008) – In an effort to sustain environmental cause efforts throughout the action sports industry, Monster Energy has teamed with Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, promoter Feld Motor Sports and recycling specialist Global Inheritance on a recycling promotion dubbed Monster Energy “Goes Green” supercross recycling program for the majority of series events in 2009.
Simply put, fans attend Monster Energy Supercross rounds where the pro pit setup allows for fan access can receive - at no-cost - admission to the exclusive race team area if they bring an empty can of Monster Energy. Note: The free pro pit access at the stadium (with a can of Monster) is based on also having a valid event ticket.
“Monster Energy has championed environmental challenges since the company’s inception and we’re making every effort to apply this viewpoint towards numerous causes associated with event’s Monster Energy is part of – such at Monster Energy Supercross,” said John Lee, Director of Sports Marketing for Monster Energy. We’re pleased to see Feld Motor Sports, the producers and promoters of Monster Energy Supercross, on board with ourselves and Global Inheritance on this most worthy cause.”
Another visible aspect of the Monster Energy “Goes Green” recycling promotion at the participating supercross rounds will be the custom-painted Monster Energy can receptacles, designed by Monster Energy athletes Jason Lawrence and Kyle Loza, along ones painted for Pro Circuit and Kawasaki by Monster Energy’s in-house design team and AP Designs.
The fully-integrated marketing campaign will include in-store retail displays, television spots, radio commercials, online and print publicity campaigns and extensive on-site activation at each of the 12 Monster Energy Supercross events. Once in the pro pits the fans’ experience will be further enhanced by interactive art and an experiential campaign featuring the “TRASHed” art exhibit which showcases the work of Lawrence and Loza – among others. Fans will also be able to hop on a stationary bike and create their own power to light a light bulb in the “Energy FACTory” display.
And, of course, free stuff abounds at the Monster Energy “Goes Green” supercross recycling promotion with Monster Energy stickers, signing cards and bracelets at the recycling store (one can = one item).
Finally, the Monster Energy “Goes Green” supercross recycling campaign will be featured at 12 of the 17 rounds, excluding Atlanta, Indianapolis, Daytona Beach, Fla., Toronto and Las Vegas. And to kick off the season in a few short weeks in Anaheim, Calif., at Angel Stadium, Those planning to attend Anaheim I (1/3), II (1/17), and/or III (2/7) can purchase their Monster Energy products at all Circle K and Stater Bros. stores in the Southern California area. Circle K, the official convenience store of the Anaheim Monster Energy Supercross races, has all 16 oz. Monster cans at two for $3. Stater Bros., the official grocery store of Monster Energy® Supercross, has all 16 oz. Monster cans at the everyday low price of $2.29.
For more information on the Monster Energy “Goes Green” program check out Global Inheritance’s website: www.globalinheritance.org
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it recycling, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Everyone at Monster works hard to recycle – hope you do as well. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Congratulations goes out to the Feast Tour Prize Pack Winner VINCENT PAGOT.
Here's the info you needed to answer the questions correctly...
Feast tours:
5 tours in 4 years
2005: feast northeast tour
2006: feast canada tour and feast texas, florida tour
2007: feast westcoast tour
2008; feast southwest tour.
Flip riders who went to all tours: Geoff Rowley, Lance Mountain, David Gonzalez, Mark Appleyard and Rune Glifberg.
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 IPATH is offering a 15% off coupon on all purchases to the Monster Community members on Loopd.
The offer is effective until December 19th 2008.
1. Go to www.ipath.com
2. Order some shoes and apparel from their webstore!
3. Enter code: monsterloopd
Enjoy!
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MonsterArmy.com continues to advance action sports social networking - now featuring more than 130,000 members
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 17, 2008) – ATTEN-SHUN! Monster Energy’s aggro online action sports community, Monster Army (www.monsterarmy.com), is fittin’ to get a layer peeled off and a new face/new look for the the Monster Army community - part of the Loop’d Network, the leading online network for action sports and the same guys that have helped guide MonsterArmy.com into a daily stop for scores of the world’s core action sports athletes and enthusiasts since the site’s inception four years ago.
With more than 130,000 “Reserves” (aka members), MonsterArmy.com features the latest in happenings from the worlds of motocross, mountain sports, skateboarding and BMX, surfing and rally – along with every other form of action sports that people get after these days. In addition to member-driven content, MonsterArmy.com showcases the latest news and video of its legion of “Generals,” including guys like MXers Ryan Villopoto and Jason Lawrence, mountain sport athletes Louie Vito and Peter Olenick, skaters Pierre Luc “PLG” Gagnon and Jake Brown, along with BMX and surf stars Dave Mirra and Dane Reynolds highlighting a list of Monster Energy-backed premier professional action sports athletes that numbers more than a hundred!
“Monster Army has become the nerve center of our company, the proving grounds for our latest ventures and an everyday international forum on a product that’s now killing it in every time zone, 360 degrees global,” said Monster Energy’s Jason McCormick. “When it happens with Monster product and athletes the news breaks on MonsterArmy.com, and we’re pumped with the latest look Loop’d is hooking up.”
With an easier-to-navigate new design, MonsterArmy.com new and O.G. members alike will be hip to the latest features the cutting edge website is going to provide. Things like “Spotlight,” which features new athletes from the ranks every month and “Badges,” which Monster Army members can grab to promote themselves on MonsterArmy.com as well as other social networking sites across the web.
In addition, numerous other ‘staple’ areas of MonsterArmy.com will receive upgrades, including the “Barracks” – where visitors and members can learn all about Monster Energy’s sponsored athletes; “Visuals,” a section giving everyone an ‘insider’s look’ at the coveted Monster Energy lifestyle; “Propaganda,” the unmatched source for up-to-the-minute news on Monster Energy athletes, along with downloads, badges and sticker deals; “Reserves,” the foundation of the Monster Army, where members get discounts, exclusive content and discounts on Monster Energy product not available to the general public – which includes the popular “General’s Mission” where all Army members are eligible to win gear from the featured Monster Energy General and their sponsors.
And the best thing of all? For real, it’s completely free to join!
“It’s been said that ‘It’s not a party unless everyone’s invited,’ and that’s pretty much what Monster Army is all about,” added McCormick. “Our ranks are multiplying daily and, in turn, Monster Energy is doing more and more to stoke out the members by offering up further promotions and discounts to our loyal reserves.”
More on MonsterArmy.com:
Welcome to Command Central for the Monster Army. MonsterArmy.com is the headquarters providing a central point for soldiers to make the transformation from regular athletes to Monster Army Soldiers, giving them a definitive edge on their competition. Being a member of the Monster Army means you are a part of action sports' most core energy drink sponsor, and the one with the best vibe. Check out the X-Games, Dew Tour, AMA Supercross, or surf/skate/snow magazine and you'll see firsthand the Generals you’ll be serving in the Monster Army.
To enlist as a private in the Monster Army, visit www.monsterarmy.com and fill out the Application. Many factors go into picking an athlete for service in Army. Factors like sport, geographic location, skill level, other sponsors and marketing value are all equally important. Monster is always looking for the correct athletes to strengthen the Army and we urge you to take a few seconds to fill out the application.
Each soldier in the Monster Army is an important player and we're certain you will find it rewarding to be a part of the program. Every solider is unique to the Army and as your skills as a solider develop in your sport, new opportunities will arise. From the time as a private, and hopefully through your entire career to a General, you will have opportunities to grow with Monster Energy. Everything you do will be recognized through your constant communication with Monster Energy.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it action sports social networking, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. The Monster Army troops dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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This is your commander with an important announcement from headquarters.
With the clock ticking down, many of you threw out what you thought was hitting at 1pm on December 17,2008 - but none of you were prepared for this Today we unveil the latest and greatest version of your home base - MonsterArmy.com – and are calling out for all Troops to RALLY for the biggest and best year in Army and Monster Energy history.
For the past 4 years, we have been building the Army with core Athletes like you. Each year has built on the last – drawing more talent and more energy from within. With the new face of the Monster Army and the new features coming from the Loop’d Network, we’re FINALLY ready to pop the lid off this thing and show the world what Monster Energy and it’s troops are really made of.
You are the core of the Army and it’s your turn to help us take this global. Mission #1: Recruit the best talent you know to join the Monster Army. We’ll be giving away Monster product weekly to the top recruiters. Click Here to Get Started or read on for more about the new face of the Monster Army
Monster Army has become the nerve center of our company, the proving grounds for our latest ventures and an everyday international forum on a product that’s now killing it in every time zone, 360 degrees global. When it happens with Monster product and athletes the news breaks on MonsterArmy.com, so here’s what we did to make it even better…
We bring you some new features and more of what you dig:- Visuals… More exclusive photos and videos in the ‘Visuals’ section from the Generals, Monster Energy events, parties and from you
- Soldier Spotlights… the Army is there to help you get more exposure
- Badges – Grab one, throw it on your profiles across the web and show the world that you’re a part something big
- Generals Missions… more chances to win product
- Sponsorship… the foundation for the ’09 team is being laid down, if you haven’t re-applied yet – do it now.
Now, get out there and push this thing global!
Your Commander,
Jason McCormick
www.monsterarmy.com
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DANE DEGRUYTER
SPORT: SKI
LOCATION: WHISTLER, BC
CHECK OUT HIS PROFILE
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Goodridge, Minn. (Dec. 15, 2008) - Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert is undefeated after two rounds of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS). Fresh off his 39th and 40th career wins at the season opener, Hibbert once again won both pro qualifiers and main events Saturday night at the Bad River Lodge and Casino National in Ironwood, Mich.
Round two of the ACSS tour featured an all-pro Saturday night show instead of the traditional two-day program. Riding trails were groomed to the gates of the event, allowing fans to ride rather than drive to the races.
In the Pro Super Stock class, Hibbert took the holeshot in his heat race and won, positioning him as the number one qualifier for the main event. In the 20-lap final, Hibbert again took the holeshot and rode mistake free, eventually finishing 21 seconds ahead of second place.
Unlike the Super Stock class, Hibbert had to fight for his wins in the Pro Open class. In both his qualifier and final, Hibbert spun on the start, leaving him mid-pack after the first lap. In the qualifier, Hibbert and Polaris’ Levi LaVallee had an intense battle, with Hibbert making the pass for the lead on the last lap. In the 15-rider, 20-lap main event, Hibbert completed the first lap in seventh place. On lap eight, he took the lead and checked out, finishing 15 seconds ahead of second place.
After a month break, Hibbert will return to racing action at the ACSS Air Force National in Shakopee, Minn. Jan. 10-11, 2009.
Tucker Hibbert - #68 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat
“I can’t say enough about my Monster Energy/Arctic Cat. The team has it dialed-in and I’m really comfortable on it. After winning the [Pro Super] Stock class with such a big lead, I felt really confident going into the [Pro] Open class. When I got a bad start in both the qualifier and final, I didn’t panic. I put my head down and knew I had enough time to make it to the front.
I think our success this season is a combination of a few things. It’s our second year on the SnoPro 600 and we’ve had time to get it set-up right so I’m comfortable and confident. My fitness is good so I don’t have to worry about conserving energy or getting tired in a race. As a team, we’ve figured our what works and doesn’t work. The bottom line is, we are really prepared.
The goal is to just keep on doing what we’re doing because it’s working. After Christmas we’ll be switching gears to get set up for the X Games. We have a solid testing program and it’s been successful in the past. I’m really confident heading into the rest of the season and hope to keep my Monster Energy/Arctic Cat on-top of the box.
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Monster’s ‘Big Guns’ Ready To Storm Peak 8 at Breck!
The Monster Snow Army is chomping at the bit to invade the inaugural Winter Dew Tour right about now. So what’s the Brouhaha about? Simply put, it’s time to spread the love. For the last four years snowboarders and skiers have been effectively benched, watching a five-stop tour bring unprecedented fame and fortune to the worlds best in action sports, including Monster Dew Cup skate champ PLG, Monster’s BMX double-Dew Cup king Jamie Bestwick, and Monster FMX Cup winner Adam Jones. NBC’s Dew Tour netted over 40 million viewers and a quarter-million spectators worldwide while dolling out over 3.5 million dollars. Without the inclusion of winter sports … W.T.F.?!
Now it’s our turn!
What It Is?
Getting started at Breckenridge on Dec 18-21, the Winter Dew Tour goes something like this: three snowboard and ski contests stretching from the west coast to the east, featuring Superpipe and slopestyle events with a cumulative points system. Not impressed yet? Then choke on this—the combined overall prize purse is a whopping $1.5 million dollars! And even more killer, a partnership between NBC and MTV guarantee’s 29 hours of television coverage. That in itself is a ridiculous turn of events for the winter sports exposure meter. Yes, the winter Dew Tour is going to help make some deserving snow shredders real rich, and real famous. Hint: I’d lay my money down on Monster’s Torstein Horgmo and Danny Kass.
Why It Won’t Suck!
But what if the course sucks? Now we all know you can’t just buy yourself into the inner circle—you have to give respect to get it—it’s as simple as that. First and foremost the Dew Tour earned respect with their designs and event production in skate, BMX, and FMX, so it’s pretty much a given they’ll do this up right. Secondly, they’ve been super inclusive, even involving Monster athletes in course design and discussion. Andy Finch has been involved and he’s fired up, “They’re coming into this tour with open minds. They’re really trying their best to create an event the athletes want, and treating us like we’re their number-one priority.” Monster’s Elena Hight is on the Dew bandwagon as well, citing the mixed ski and snowboard event will be fun and that record fan attendance adds an adrenaline rush. So there you have it—The slopestyle course is going to bang, thanks to input from the pros and masterful building. And aside from amazing television coverage, they’re setting their sights on creating record-breaking audience attendance. Did I fail to mention The All-American Rejects will play live as well as the hip-hop duo 3OH!3? Alrighty then!
Monster In The Cut
Our crew has a penchant for domination, be it the X Games or the Dew Tour. Summer or winter, it makes no difference to us—this is what we do. While a final athlete roster is yet to be released, many of Monster’s ‘big guns’ have already prequal'ed for the show. We’ll post more Monster athlete additions as they’re announced!
Snowboard Superpipe
Monster’s Andy Finch, Danny Kass, Louie Vito, Elena Hight, and Torstein Horgmo are locked and loaded for the Superpipe. Between the two-time Olympian Dan Kass’ tech style, young Louie Vito’s rotational wizardry, Torstein’s mastery of all things snow, Elena’s 900, and Olympian Andy Finch’s über alles airs, it’s a safe bet there will be some Monster crackin’ shenanigans on the podium.
Snowboard Slopestyle
Danny Kass, Torstein Horgmo, and Andy Finch all prequal'ed for Slopestyle! While Kass routinely murders the kicker course, Monster’s newest recruit Torstein Horgomo is the live wire here. Cold forged in Norwegian competition, Torstein is ready to battle the 'flying tomato' or 'Mandreaus' in Breck’s notoriously icy conditions.
Ski Superpipe
Monster athlete Peter Olenick’s drunken whiskey flip fifteen feet out on the first hit, followed up by a flawless run could take it. Then again Southern Hemi’s young phenom Jossi Wells seems to be peaking … and lest we let Colby James West comedy act belie his skills on vertical transition. And what of the women’s original innovator Sarah Burke? She’s been on a competitive tear in Superpipe this season.
Ski Slopestyle
The Monster posse comprised of Colby West, Jossi Wells and Peter Olenick made the short list of obligatory Dew invites for slope as well! With Colby’s nearly all-switch runs, smooth- as switch seven nose grabbers and an X Games medal in slope West’s a contender and crowd favorite. Olenick in contrast, is known to throw down, or go down, and is a master of all disciplines including rails and kickers. Jossie Wells, not to be mistake for the Outlaw Josey Wales (but coincidentally also known for blowing up the spot) throws massive double backs, tech rotations everywhere and has an X Games slope medal in his back pocket. In a stacked field the Monster crew are set to play the spoilers!
The beauty of chasing the Dew Cup is that the overall winner isn’t decided in a single event. This is a season-long drama extending from the West to the East coast and back again we won’t soon forget. With the Monster contingent in full effect, count on the latest coverage right here at monster.com. Until then!
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Fans at 12 of the 17 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, rounds can get in the pro pits free with an empty can of Monster!
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 17, 2008) – In an effort to sustain environmental causes at all levels throughout Hansen Beverage Company® (NASDAQ: HANS) - makers of Monster Energy – company officials have teamed with Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and FIM World Championship, promoter Feld Motor Sports and recycling specialist Global Inheritance on a recycling promotion dubbed “Monster Energy Supercross Goes Green” for the majority of series events in 2009.
Simply put, fans attend Monster Energy Supercross rounds where the pro pit setup allows for fan access can receive - at no-cost - admission to the exclusive race team area if they bring an empty can of Monster Energy. Note: The free pro pit access at the stadium (with a can of Monster) is based on also having a valid event ticket.
“Monster Energy’s parent company, Hansen’s® – makers of Hansen’s® Natural sodas and a wide variety of 100-percent fruit juices – has been a champion of the environment for more than 70 years,” said John Lee, Director of Sports Marketing for Monster Energy. “This viewpoint has been passed along to Monster Energy and we’re pleased to see Feld Motor Sports, the producers and promoters of Monster Energy Supercross, on board with this most worthy cause.”
The Monster Energy Supercross Goes Green recycling campaign will be featured at 12 of the 17 rounds, excluding Atlanta, Indianapolis, Daytona Beach, Fla., Toronto and Las Vegas. And to kick off the season in a few short weeks in Anaheim, Calif., at Angel Stadium, Those planning to attend Anaheim I (1/3), II (1/17), and/or III (2/7) can purchase their Monster Energy products at all Circle K and Stater Bros. stores in the Southern California area. Circle K, the official convenience store of the Anaheim Monster Energy Supercross races, has all 16 oz. Monster cans at two for $3. Stater Bros., the official grocery store of Monster Energy® Supercross, has all 16 oz. Monster cans at the everyday low price of $2.29.
For more information on the Monster Energy “Goes Green” program check out Global Inheritance’s website: www.globalinheritance.org
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it recycling, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Everyone at Monster works hard to recycle – hope you do as well. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Hibbert picks up where he left off the previous round in Minn., sweeping the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS) Pro Stock & Pro Open in Mich. 
Photo courtesy of John Hanson
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 15, 2008) – Keeping his Monster Energy emblazoned Arctic Cat snowmobile on the main jet for the second-straight round, Monster’s Tucker Hibbert – extreme powersports’ fastest two-sport athlete – again swept the Pro Stock and Pro Open classes on the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS) tour, doing so this past weekend at Bad River Lodge and Casino in Ironwood, Mich.
The wins – No. 39 & 40 of his career for Hibbert – keep the Thief River Falls, Minn., native undefeated on the season in ACSS racing. His record now stands at 4-0 (2-0 Pro Stock, 2-0 Pro Open) after two races.
“I can’t say enough about my Monster Energy/Arctic Cat. The team has it dialed in and I’m really comfortable on it,” said Hibbert. “After winning the Stock class with such a big lead, I felt really confident going into the Open class.”
Despite winning both his qualifiers as well as both main events, Hibbert, the only athlete in the world who can win a snocross race one day, then hop on his MX bike and crack the top ten in the ultra-competitive AMA Supercross Lites class then next, didn’t get the greatest of starts in both his Open qualifier and main. Not a problem for the Arctic Cat SnoPro 600, according to Hibbert, as he was able to come from behind and with both motos.
“It’s our second year on the SnoPro 600 and we’ve had time to get it set up properly, so I’m comfortable and confident on it,” he said. “When I got a bad start in both the qualifier and final I didn’t panic. I put my head down and knew I had enough time to make the front.”
Though it won’t be long until Hibbert is back on his dirt bike for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series’ Eastern SX Lites regional opener (Atlanta, Feb. 21), he’s beginning to set his sights on the upcoming ESPN Winter X Games where he’s the two-time defending Sno-X champ.
“The goal is to just keep on doing what we’re doing because it’s working,” said Hibbert. “After Christmas we’ll be switching gears to get set up for the X Games. I’m really confident heading into the rest of the season and hope to keep my Monster Energy/Arctic Cat on top of the box.”
Next up on the ACSS tour is the January 9-11, 2009, Air Force National at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. – site of Monster Energy/Paul Thacker’s world record snowmobile jump! For more information on the ACSS link to: http://www.isocracing.com/
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it snocross, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Tucker Hibbert digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Congratulations goes out to last month's ULTIMATE MONSTER FAN Contest winner Tucker Foster. Check out his winning photo below. It's hard to argue that Tucker isn't Monster's Biggest Fan but if you have doubts, check out his YouTube Video which gives a deeper look into his massive collection.
For winning, Tucker's getting hooked up with Jamie Bestwick's gear!
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Vito, the defending U.S. GP halfpipe champ, makes a HUGE statement with the win – his first ever at the opening round; Monster’s Andy Finch is 6th o/a Photos courtesy of www.louievito.com
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 15, 2008) – Monster Energy snowboarder Louie Vito opened the 2008-’09 U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, presented by Sprint, season on a super high note this past weekend at Copper Mountain, Colo., winning the overall men’s halfpipe contest and making a statement in terms of his overall U.S. Snowboarding halfpipe championship title defense.
Vito, a Utah native by way of the not-so snowboard Mecca of Belefontaine, Ohio, booted up and let ‘er snap at Copper – blasting back-to-back 1080s and 900s for the win, especially in his amplitude-packed second run.
“The last two years I haven’t made the finals at the first Grand Prix and that’s kind of been a bummer,” said Vito. “But it’s nice going into the rest of the season with the win and knowing you have that accomplishment. Hopefully the rest of the season follows in the right direction like this.”
Should just that happen for Vito he’ll no doubt earn himself a spot on the United States’ snowboard team for the upcoming 2010 Vancouver, B.C., Winter Olympics. The win for Vito at Copper marks the third in a row on the U.S. GP tour, dating back to the 2007-’08 competition season. In addition, Vito won the Jeep King of the Mountain stop at Squaw Valley (Calif.) and placed 2nd at the Vans Tahoe Cup at Northstar (Calif.).
“Once you get that first taste of a win, it’s hard to settle for anything less than that,” added Vito, who topped 2nd place Steve Fisher (defending X Games SuperPipe champ) by a score of 47.20 to 44.0. “With how many good riders there are in the first contest it’s nice to start my season that way.”
Monster Energy’s Andy Finch also had a pretty solid contest, finishing 6th overall with a 41.60 score.
Next up on the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix tour is Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 at Boreal Mountain Resort in Truckee, Calif. Also look for a bunch of the Monster Energy athletes at the AST Winter Dew Tour this weekend, Dec. 18-21, at Breckenridge, Colo.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it snowboarding, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, surf, ski, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Louie Vito and Andy Finch dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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IPATH is offering a 15% off coupon on all purchases to the Monster Community members on Loopd.
The offer is effective until December 19th 2008.
1. Go to www.ipath.com
2. Order some shoes and apparel from their webstore!
3. Enter code: monsterloopd
Enjoy!
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By Eric Johnson
“My life revolves around racing. I ride every day and train and other than that, I cycle. That’s honestly about it. I’m usually in bed or asleep by no later than 9 O’clock. This year is really big for me and I’m definitely taking full advantage of the opportunity Mitch has given me and I just want to know going into whatever Coast I’m racing that at the first round I’m 110% prepared.”
Last summer, Ryan Morais came down with a badass strain of staph infection called methicillin–resistant Staphylococcus aureus. So gnarly was the infection that ended up in his bloodstream that it parked the Californian on the coach for months. It was at that point that Morais began worrying about his career. As professional riders are all too aware of in this sport, out of sight means being out of mind. Thus, as the powerful race teams of the United States began looking to 2009 and filling out their starting lineups, the name “Morais” wasn’t exactly on many team manger’s wish list. However, in October, Mitch Payton and his omnipotent Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki outfit found themselves one rider short for the 2009 season and Payton decided to take a gamble on Morais. As history has taught us, Morais is the rider who lost the 2007 AMA East Region Championship to Payton’s team by a gut-wrenching margin of three points. However, despite a number of ups-and-downs in the past two years, Ryan Morais has earned his big break and is now doing everything in his power to make the most of it. This afternoon, we spoke to the new Monster Energy/Pro Circuit rider.
Ryan, what are you up to?
I just got home from riding a little bit ago, so I’m a little tired today.
Yeah, we’ve been hounding you for a few days and know you’ve been putting in some long days of riding and testing…
Yeah, I’ve been pretty busy just riding and training and trying to make sure I’m prepared.
Will you be riding the West Region Series?
I honestly do not know. We will not find out until the week of Christmas.
Any idea of who on the team would ride the West Region? Is the whole team up in the air right now?
I think it’s between me, [Austin] Stroupe and [Jake] Weimer.
So Stroupe is healed up now?
Yeah, he’s going to start riding soon. Actually, I think today was his first day of riding.
And the 2008 MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray has just joined them team, huh?
That I don’t know. I’m never really down at the race shop and no one never really says anything, so that I don’t know of.
But you’ve heard abut it?
Not from anyone down there. I’ve just been seeing it all over the Internet.
Due to injuries and team changes, I’d assume you’ve been doing a lot of the testing for the 2009 Monster Energy Supercross Series…
Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of the testing with Bones [Bacon] and Zach [White] and definitely been putting in a lot of time on the bike and just been riding every day. I’m putting in the long days right now, for sure. I’ve been riding pretty much every day during the week and whenever we’re testing at the Kawasaki track, I’m there from 9 to 5. It’s been good. It’s nice being on a team that is like this; a team that wants to win and puts in as much effort as you do, for sure.
Do you like testing? Do you like going through the bike and riding it and downloading the “seat of the pants” information you collect to the mechanics?
Yeah, I really enjoy doing that kind of stuff. It’s fun to me. It kind of switches up the schedule from just pounding out laps everyday and doing motos. I enjoy doing testing and trying to notice what they changed or just trying to figure everything out and just get the bike the way I want it. I really enjoy testing. I used to do all testing for Yamaha of Troy when I was over there. I would do all the motor stuff for me and Jason [Lawrence]. It’s something I enjoy and hopefully, not any team soon, I think it would be cool when I’m done racing to be a test rider for a factory or a manufacturer. It would be cool to keep riding and test the race team stuff.
I know you may not be able to say too much, but what types of things are you going through on the bike when you are testing?
Pretty much anything you can think of. Anything from clamps to linkage to brakes to sprockets to pipes — pretty much everything you can think of, we test. All of our bikes are all fitted for us, pretty much.
And you can feel and notice all this stuff when it’s changed on the bike?
Yeah, for sure.
Has all this riding and testing helped your confidence and just what do you think of your 2009 race bike?
Yeah, definitely riding as much as I’ve been riding and doing all the testing and just getting the bike dialed-in has definitely helped out my confidence a lot. I’m a lot more confident just from riding every day in general. The bikes are just amazing. Mitch and everybody down there is so great and I couldn’t ask for anything more from them. They’ve been giving everything I need right now. Just being over here at this team has definitely brought my confidence level up a lot.
How is your relationship with the team?
My relationship down there is great. Everyone is super cool and jokes around. I mean we have right now. I know it’s the off-season and I’m sure it’ll be different once we go to Anaheim I or once the season starts. I expect that. I probably wont be as laid back as I am right now either once it starts.
Which Coast do you want to do? Do you have a preference?
Well, I haven’t rode the West Coast for two years now. I’ve ridden the East Coast the last two years. I really like the East Coast. It’s weird saying this, but I really like soft, rutted tracks over hardpack, blue groove stuff, which is weird with me being out in California my whole life. It just seems to suit me better. I like the East Coast also to be away. Anyone that’s in the industry knows how the East Coast races are like a circus and there’s a lot going on. The East Cast is a lot more laid back and it’s easier for me to stay focused and not have to worry about anything.
Does it feel a bit strange to you to not know what Coast you’ll be riding with the 2009 season starting in three weeks?
Yeah, for sure. It’s hard to manage my training as far as what I can do. It’s just hard to train and figure out what schedule I can do right now because I don’t know if I should be backing down a little bit now and getting read for Anaheim or if I could still be training hard and getting ready for the East. It’s difficult, but I’ve been able to manage it really good. Either way I’m excited. Either way, whatever Coast I’m racing, I’ll be ready and I’m excited to go to that first round.
Hypothetically, if you end up racing Anaheim I, what’s your plan for the start of your season?
My plan is to definitely to go out in practice and be on the board in every practice and just set the tone right off the gate as far as showing everybody that I want to be a contender this year and ‘I’m planning on it. You know I’ll be really disappointed if I don’t come out of the first round on the podium. It won’t hurt me, but that’s what I’m shooting for — to be on the box at the first round.
Do you have some wins in you?
Yeah, I definitely think I can win now. Especially with the equipment that I’m on. I should be able to get some starts. I think that’s always been my weakness as far as being able to be up there to win a race these last couple of years. I’ve always kind of struggled with them. I think with the equipment and get good starts and be up front and be a threat for a win every weekend.
Although it’s a little ways away, are you excited about the 2009 Nationals?
Yeah, I’m excited for the outdoors this year, for sure. Just being on Mitch’s team and I’m sure the outdoor bike is just ridiculous. I’m really, really looking forward to outdoors this year. Once supercross is over I’m rally going to set focus into that. Unfortunately, I’ve never made it to every round. That is my main goal: To be at the race every weekend. I feel I can be a top five guy outdoors, so that’s my goal for the outdoors.
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 So Yesterday i flew out to salt lake city to meet with the skull candy guys and snowboard a bit in the mountains it was crazy fun and all day today i sat in on some of there sales meetings and skull candy is growing huge and its a awesome brand to be working with also i have been talking with these guys about doing a signature head phone for 2010 and this head phone will only be sold in skate shops and where skateboards are sold.. Also here is a nother update at www.Berrics.com.
Last week i meet up with steve berra and skated the park for a bit and did a banging for the berrics.com check it out .. Thats all for now folks..thank you..
--Greg Lutzka
http://www.theberrics.com/dailyopspost.php?postid=621
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It's Coming...are you ready?
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Ten lucky winners, courtesy of Monster and Robby Gordon, survive the first of three rounds (Baja 1,000) of the Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 11, 2008) – Officials at Monster Energy are ‘relieved’ to say our ten Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience contest winners made it through the first of three rounds with Gordon – and for the most part, unscathed – after the SCORE International Tecate Baja 1,000 and are looking forward to the second of the three installments in the revolutionary contest this coming January: Dakar
 From a mother and daughter from Las Vegas, to a husband and wife from D.C., a couple buddies from LA and two more from Ohio, and a husband and wife from Omaha, Neb., the initial round of the inaugural Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience contest was a big success. Opening with flights from all points on the map to San Diego, the group drove down to the Estero Beach Hotel in Ensenada, Mexico, for dinner – then off to the nearby Horsepower Ranch for the exclusive Wide Open Baja Party.
During the ceremonies the ten Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience winners were brought on stage to meet Gordon for the first time. Once there they were presented with gifts from Gordon, including Robby Gordon Motorsports backpacks filled with Monster Energy product (water bottles, socks, dog tags, hats, etc.).
“We had a blast at the Wide Open party,” said Ohio’s Derek McNamara. “It pretty much could have ended there and I’d have been pumped. But there was a whole heck of a lot more in store for us.”
The following morning – after a solid night of festivities – the Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience contest winners were rousted from bed and whisked off by Gordon’s dad, Bob, to the driver contingency meeting. And a few of them were even put to work!
“We had a bunch of stickers and autographed posters of Robby and had the contest winners hand them out to fans,” said Bob Gordon. “Looked to me like they were having a pretty good time with it.” 
That afternoon both Robby and Bob Gordon, both Baja Hall of Famers, loaded all ten contest winners into three Monster Energy off road vehicles that he brought to Baja from his race shop. From there the contest winners actually got to see – first hand – the first 40 miles of the course and ride at roughly 80-percent of the speeds racers run during the actual Baja 1,000.
“Yeah, out of the ten that went only one lost his lunch – with was pretty good I thought,” joked Robby Gordon.
That evening it was off to Ensenada’s largest am/pm store for an autograph session with Gordon. A few Monsters and a building appetite had them all piling back into the Monster Energy vehicles and off to Robby’s favorite roadside taco stand. “Same place I’ve eaten at the last 20 years before I raced the 1,000,” said Gordon.
Friday’s race day and the Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience contest winners are chauffeured off from the start to the first big man-made jump that Gordon will hit once the race starts. Gordon doesn’t disappoint as he launches his Monster Energy/Chevy Trophy Truck twice as far as the other competitors in the premier class.
The pursuit is “on” following the start and the contest winners pile back into the Monster Energy vehicles as they race down the Baja California peninsula – at the posted speed limits we’re told – and catch up with Gordon and co-driver Andy Grider at the halfway point of the race in San Felipe. Along the way they’re privy to a view of Monster Energy-backed driver Cameron Steele’s ablaze in the middle of the night, hundreds of miles away from his crew!
“I can’t begin to explain how crazy it got when we were chasing Robby,” said Las Vegas’ Brittany Burgos. “The contest said ‘Experience’ and we certainly got to do that. Gave both me and my mom a far greater appreciation of what goes into racing Baja.”
As the sun rose on the final day at Baja the Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience contest winners gathered at the finish line to watch the first trucks arrive. Once there they hear the news of Gordon’s mechanical failure and get to hear, first hand, what happened to him during the race.
A well-deserved day of rest would ensue and the contest winners chose to hit up the local golf courses and/or do some shopping in Ensenada with lunch at the famed Papas & Beer with Monster Energy CORR driver Rodrigo Ampudia – who’s family owns the popular multi-story bar/restaurant. The day turns to evening and then winds down with dinner at the hotel and sharing of the week’s Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience stories. Note: Several contest winners don’t want the trip to end and load up on some cans of Monster MIXXD and head downtown in search of something to mix, staying after it through sunrise the following morning. Heck yeah!
The final day of the first stop on the three round Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience is spent at the Sheraton Hotel in San Diego with the contest winners planning New Year’s Eve in Argentina with Gordon and the start of the Dakar race – round two of the Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience!
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it Baja, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. The Monster Energy/Robby Gordon Experience contest winners are diggin’ ‘em royally – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Smith winds ‘er up and releases an aggro run in the finals to cement the top five position at pretty much the gnarliest amateur street contest going
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 10, 2008) – Monster Energy’s young rippin’ skater, Taylor Smith, 14, stepped up his street game this past weekend in Tampa, Fla., and brought home to Carlsbad, Calif., a best-ever 4th place finish at the influential street skating contest dubbed the “Tampa Am” at the Skatepark of Tampa.
Thisclose to making the podium, Smith skated clean and powerfully – something fans of vert skating have known for some time. His breakthrough street performance at the Tampa Am, according to Smith, is the direct result of a more recent Jones for street skating vs. pipe and park.
“I pretty much just skated everything,” said Smith of his top run in the finals. “Got through the first two rounds, skated OK. After that in the finals I just skated like there was no pressure, just was out there having fun and skating.”
With the stellar Tampa Am performance this past weekend, Smith just added to his legend, being the only skater to have done the Mega Ramp, made the finals of the pro game of S-K-A-T-E, the Tampa Am Vert finals and the Tampa Am Street finals – all before the age of 15!
Smith says he’s gonna chill a bit for the holidays, skate with friends and, well, what else do you do when you’re 14? Right on, Taylor!
To check out more on the Tampa Am Street contest www.skateparkoftampa.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it skate, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Taylor Smith digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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2008 motorsports highlights awards – as voted by the fans – include Monster Energy’s Johnny Greaves (Biggest Hit) and James Stewart (Best Move)
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 9, 2008) – Monster Energy athletes Johnny Greaves and James Stewart are represented in a couple 2008 SPEED TV Performance Award categories, Biggest Hit and Best move, respectively, with fans being able to step up and vote for their top video highlights online at www.speedperformanceawards.com
That said, Monster HQ is mobilizing the Monster Army troops to get out and vote for your generals – Greaves & Stewart!
SPEED’s Biggest Hit Award: Earlier this summer at the Pomona (Calif.) Championship Off Road Racing (CORR) Series Greaves got into it with another driver on a high speed turn one corner in a Saturday premier Pro 4 class race and – literally – rolled his Monster Energy/Toyota truck some SIX times. “Violent,” was the best word by a SPEED announcer used to describe the wreck. Vote now at: http://www.speedperformanceawards.com/vote.php?cat=3&video_id=12
 SPEED’s Biggest Best Move Award: Reminiscent of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Lynn Swann’s Super Bowl X catch vs. Dallas – where he flew out of bounds, caught the ball, then somehow ‘willed’ his body back inbounds, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Stewart pulled a similar feat on a 220-pound motorcycle at Southwick, Mass. Taking off at top speed from a huge jump with a blind down hill landing, Stewart didn’t see a fallen rider and – miraculously – guided his bike through the air in a way that allowed him to miss the rider, saving both of them from certain peril: Vote now at: http://www.speedperformanceawards.com/vote.php?cat=9&video_id=10
Thanks for voting! Be sure to check out some of the other highlights from the SPEED Performance Awards while you’re there. Monster Energy generals Greaves and Stewart are up against some amazing competition and SPEED officials did a great job posting a bunch of them in an easy-to-view format. You can check out the results on SPEED Performance Awards Show, Feb 18th . (Yeah, yeah – we’ll shoot you a reminder!)
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it off road, MX, rally, insane distance jumping, SX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Johnny Greave digs ‘em & James Stewart sure did! So will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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In 2004, an unknown, blue-haired, non-drinking, 19-year-old named Peter Olenick left the comfortable confines of his Carbondale crib for the X Qualifiers in Breckenridge. A week later, he returned to Aspen to take two podium finishes at the most coveted contest of them all: the X Games themselves. Three years later, sitting down with Peter in the house he rents with his brother and two college friends, life has changed drastically for the oldest Olenick child.
Read the Whole Interview
Last Month's Mission Winner Congratulations goes out to last month's ULTIMATE MONSTER FAN Contest winner Tucker Foster. Check out his winning photo below. It's hard to argue that Tucker isn't Monster's Biggest Fan but if you have doubts, check out his YouTube Video which gives a deeper look into his massive collection.
For winning, Tucker's getting hooked up with Jamie Bestwick's gear!
This Month's Mission What's your most memorable moment of the year? Was it finally landing that trick? Placing in a comp? Or are you just stoked about the sessions you had with your closest friends?
Upload a photo and don't forget to add a comment letting us know what got you goin in 2008.The winner will get hooked up with some awesome gear from Peter Olenick! Good luck Army! 
Check out the CONTEST Page to submit your photo.Featured Solider Spotlight This month's Soldier Spotlight is DANE DEGRUYTER, a Skiier from Whistler, BC.
Check out videos and more photos of Dane HERE.
 Featured Monster Army Gear Discharge Hoodie
Normal Price: 57.75
Monster Army Price: $35.00 Remember, as a Monster Army Community Member, you get a 35% discount (already applied) on all Apparel. Check out the rest of the gear in the STORE.
Featured Energy Product Haven't checked out Lo-Ball yet? Go pick one up and let us know how you like it! Submit your feedback on Lo-Ball HERE
25% Off EVERYTHING at SunDiego.com-Monster Army Exclusive!
Sun Diego Boardshops is happy to extend a major holiday discount to the Monster Army.Enter code Army08 and take 25% off any of the 100’s of shoes, surf and sk8 gear, hoodies, headphones, t-shirts, and more at SunDiego.com (even Sale Items too!).
Monster Energy is proud to be the title sponsor of the Sun Diego ProAm Surf Series, the Sun Diego AmSlam amateur skateboard series, Spring Break Yo’self pro skateboard contest with $25,000 in prize money, Beanies & Bikini’s, and all other Sun Diego events and contests.
If there are any questions as to the Monster Army Discount Code, Army08, please feel free to contact Sun Diego Boardshops at (866) 642-7843 or help@sundiego.com
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Sun Diego Boardshops is happy to extend a major holiday discount to the Monster Army. Enter code Army08 and take 25% off any of the 100’s of shoes, surf and sk8 gear, hoodies, headphones, t-shirts, and more at SunDiego.com (even Sale Items too!).
Monster Energy is proud to be the title sponsor of the Sun Diego ProAm Surf Series, the Sun Diego AmSlam amateur skateboard series, Spring Break Yo’self pro skateboard contest with $25,000 in prize money, Beanies & Bikini’s, and all other Sun Diego events and contests.
If there are any questions as to the Monster Army Discount Code, Army08, please feel free to contact Sun Diego Boardshops at (866) 642-7843 or help@sundiego.com
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 In 2004, an unknown, blue-haired, non-drinking, 19-year-old named Peter Olenick left the comfortable confines of his Carbondale crib for the X Qualifiers in Breckenridge. A week later, he returned to Aspen to take two podium finishes at the most coveted contest of them all: the X Games themselves. Three years later, sitting down with Peter in the house he rents with his brother and two college friends, life has changed drastically for the oldest Olenick child.
Peter lives his life in the context that the best place in the world is wherever your friends are. For this three-time X Games medalist, two-time Ski Tour podium finisher, and Poor Boyz, Warren Miller and TGR athlete, his friends just happen to be wherever he is.
I was going to call this profile Entourage because you never travel alone. What’s the deal with the crew?
I don’t know… even when I try to go to small dinners, by the time we get there we’re with nine or 15 people. I usually just have my brother, my sister and then my friends Caitlin, Andrew… we just kind of go as a group everywhere together
Has it always been like that for you?
I’d say with my brother and sister, the three of us always do everything together. We weren’t so cool in high school so it was just the three of us [laughs]. And now that we have a lot more friends, we all just stick as a pack and go everywhere together.
I’ve been to your house each of the last couple years for Thanksgiving. There’s a real sense of inclusion with your family. Is that the way you were brought up?
Yeah, well, when we were brought up my parents were divorced so we would spend one year with my dad and the next year with our mom. Then as we got older and started skiing and moved to Boulder, a lot of our friends didn’t have places to go for Thanksgiving. My mom likes being the sort of soccer mom and just started inviting everyone. I think the first year we had, maybe, 15 people plus our whole family so like, 35 people. I remember you were there spilling beer all over my grandfather. We do a big grace where everybody holds hands and you just say, “I love you,” to the person next to you. It gets really awkward when you don’t know the person’s name. But yeah, my mom’s always been pretty good about family and my dad has too. We just go to my mom’s house because it’s more accommodating but my dad always joins us for Thanksgiving. It’s one big family.
Back when you were in a racing program at the ski club, were you and your brother noticeably better than other kids? Did you think maybe you could make a career of it?
I never thought I would be able to make a career out of it because, at that time, there was moguls, racing and sort of extreme skiing. We just liked skiing around and jumping off everything. I would say we were noticeably better than most of the other kids. There was another group of kids that Steele was in that we called the Yellow Jackets. No, the Yellow Jackets had Travis Redd in it. Steele was in the Bumpers and they would go down groomers, like, knees together pole planting – it was so ridiculous. So Steele and I were rivals forever ‘cause he was the best in his group and I was in mine. Then we went on this trip with Berman and we were like, “Hey.” “Hey.” “Cool.” We’ve been friends ever since. Your first real trip was with Berman back in 2002. How did that come about? The high school I went to was Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) and all the seniors got to do a senior project. You could do anything you wanted; you didn’t have to write a paper or anything, you could just go off and get real-world experience for a month. So of course I go off skiing with Berman on a film trip. I kinda did well at the US Open, and he knew I was good at rails, so he wanted me to come. I go to the East coast, land in New York, get picked up by Scott Hibbert in his little Acura 1.6EL that sounded like it was from the Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and I’m just like, who is this Canadian? What? I get in the car, drive straight to Ottawa and the border guy stops us because he’s never seen a Colorado ID and thought it was fake. So they search Hibbert’s whole car, they search me – it takes like, two hours. Hibbert doesn’t even know me and he’s like, “Who’s this young American screwing with our system?” Then we met up with Dave Crichton and did a contest in… what’s that town with the great crêpes? Mont Tremblant. Yeah, Tremblant. We did the Tremblant big air, the Côté D’Obscure. I don’t even know what trick I did. Probably a cork 7 or a cork 9.
Who did you look up to back in the day when you were still a camper?
I really looked up to Steele ‘cause I had the rivalry with him and then he made it, and he always had his composure. Like at contests, I would always watch him and if he got screwed by the judges or something, he’d still be smiling and having a fun time. Then when I went on the first trip with him, no matter what the conditions, Steele’s like, I’ll try it, let’s do this. Then Pep, always super good and motivated to get stuff done. Then all my coaches at High North the first year like Julien and JP and Seth and JF. Those were all the guys I wanted to be. I remember my first US Open that I did well in and made finals. I just hit a rail line that was like seven rails and only two jumps because I could only do two tricks: cork 7 and misty 5. I think I got fifth or sixth, but I was the only rookie in the finals. It was like, Tanner, Pep, Jon, Mickael, everybody. I was just terrified and Tanner comes up to me and is like, “Hey man you’re skiing really good, that’s sick. Congratulations. Don’t be worried, it’s just another contest, just another run.” That relaxed me so much. Coming from Tanner, that was huge.
How did the creation of the Whiskey flip come to be?
I had been doing regular flatspins down the pipe for a while and it’s a super mellow take off, super easy. And after watching Jon’s kangaroo flip, it’s kind of the same thing. So I was considering this year: There are all these Ski Tours, then there are a couple slopestyle comps, so I could learn a double for slopestyle, which I kinda learned on the water ramp but I was too scared to try on snow, or I could learn in the halfpipe. I don’t know why I chose the halfpipe one ‘cause that’s sketchy. The next day was super sunny and nice at Breck. Not soft, but sunny. Did some warm-up runs. Did some flat spins; made sure I was ten feet high. It sucks ‘cause it’s not a trick I could do five feet out; the bigger I got, the easier it would be. The first one I tried, I made sure I wasn’t going to land on the deck and I popped almost to flat bottom and it was totally a flat spin, came around pretty nice. I was shaking after, more scared after than before, so much adrenaline. The first one that Jon Olsson saw me do was the first one I landed and probably the best one I landed all year and he’s like, “I quit halfpipe. I just quit.” And I think he actually did quit halfpipe that day. I take a couple deep breaths and think about the one I did before it and what I did wrong on that. As I’m airing into the drop, all I’m thinking is “rotate a little farther, rotate a little farther” or “don’t pop so hard, don’t pop so hard.” Then from there to the take off it just happens.
You fell on your double flip at the X Games this year twice on the first hit. How is it knowing your whole run is ruined?
Not only does it suck that you fell because your whole run is ruined, you’re also sitting in the middle of the halfpipe, on TV, with everyone staring at you and you’re like, “I can’t believe I just fell. This sucks!” Was this your best contest year ever? It’s probably the one I needed the most. My dad said it redefined me as a skier. But maybe my breakout year was my best because no one had ever heard of me and there was no pressure on me and I qualified for X Games with second in slopestyle and third in pipe. Then a week later I got second in slopestyle and third in pipe at X Games. But this year I think I worked the hardest and got the most accomplished in the big contests. What was it like standing on the podium once again at the X Games? I think standing on the podium this year for X Games was almost better than the first time. The first time was amazing because I didn’t expect it at all. This year I needed it so bad and to be up there with Simon, who’s one of my best friends, was super good. I had my whole entourage from Boulder there, too. Probably 35 or 40 of my friends were just so stoked and my mom was crying and it was pretty awesome.
What about this upcoming season? What are you excited about?
I’m super excited about halfpipe. I learned a bunch in the halfpipe last year, not just tricks, but got super comfortable in it. So stuff doesn’t scare me and I’m excited to train a bunch of pipe in New Zealand and early season and try and give Simon a run for his money. X Games is still at my home mountain so I can train that pipe all year. Super stoked on trying to get some doubles in the park done. I tried a bunch in Whistler and got smoked on them. First try, you can’t expect much but to land on your head, so we’ll see.
What’s it like living with your brother and having him around all the time to ski with? It’s pretty awesome. I think I definitely need my brother around me to do well. Every trick I learn from day one he’s there learning tricks, too. Like when I learned my Whiskey flip, I’d have him stand on the deck and watch. He’d always watch my whole runs and be like, “You’re going slow here, you’re missing your grab…” He’s super critical. And I’m the same way with him, but it’s hard ‘cause he got hurt a bunch of times this year so he didn’t get to compete much, but got a lot of filming done. When we’re just skiing or filming we feed off of each other and he’ll do some trick that’s sick and I’ll tell him it was dope and to try another trick and he’ll do the same for me. It’s like having a best friend who’s around you all the time. We’re definitely brothers, but it feels more like friends than anything, you know?
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Goodridge, Minn. (Dec. 1, 2008) - Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert was unstoppable at the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS) season opener in Duluth, Minn. Record crowds witnessed Hibbert lead all 60 laps of the pro finals at the 17th AMSOIL Duluth National to record his 40th career win.
It was Hibbert’s sixth showing at Duluth and his career-first sweep of the event, making him only the second rider in history to do so. The weekend marked the beginning of a new series, the ACSS Tour, and featured a new format with the longest pro finals in history on the longest and most challenging track the event has ever seen. The Pro Super Stock and Pro Open classes took on a new format with one qualifier and 30-lap final events. Saturday, Hibbert won his Pro Super Stock qualifier, took the hole-shot in the final and led all 30 laps. By the end of the race, he had lapped over half of the 15-rider field. Sunday’s Pro Open class was much the same. He won his qualifier, took the holeshot in the final and led all 30 laps, once again lapping over half the field.
Hibbert dedicated his victories to Blair Morgan and C.J. Ramstad, who he called “pioneers and ambassadors of the sport.” Morgan, who is a good friend, mentor and always his toughest competition on the track, suffered a career ending injury in September. Ramstad was a renowned snowmobile magazine publisher and photographer. He and his son lost their lives in a 2007 auto accident. In Ramstad’s honor, this year’s event was dubbed the C.J. Ramstad Memorial Cup.
Hibbert’s next event is the ACSS Bad River Lodge and Casino National in
Ironwood, Mich. December 12-13.
Tucker Hibbert - #68 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat
“It doesn’t get any better than this. It was my goal to win both finals this weekend but I had no idea it would go so well. My Monster Energy/Arctic Cat was unbelievable. The engine and suspension package was dialed in. The entire crew has been working so hard the past few months. We did our homework, put in the long hours and it shows. My dad, Rob, Paul, Steve, Jeff, Fred and many others dedicated a lot of time to my program and I’m so thankful for them. I’ve been training really hard the past few years and feel stronger than ever.
I’m so pumped about the new race format. Finally, we’re having long races that really showcase our fitness and the durability of our snowmobiles. The track was challenging, different and exciting. Every lap it changed so I constantly had to be watching lines. I had a blast. This is what racing is about and I can’t wait until the next race.”
Resources: tucker-hibbert.com • monsterenergy.com • arcticcat.com • isocracing.com
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Monster Energy-backed freestyle snowmobilers Paul Thacker, Chris Burandt and Sam Rogers wick up the night on sleds to fire up fans for the next day’s racing
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 2, 2008) – After months of preparation and planning the 2008 Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour went off like an M-80 in opening the first round of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS), doing so in front of a massive crowd at Duluth’s (Minn.) Spirit Mountain the evening prior to the weekend’s snocross racing events. Leading the freestyle snowmobile charge were Monster Energy athletes Paul Thacker, a snowmobile long distance world record holder, backcountry specialist Chris Burandt and all-around snowmobile huckster Sam Rogers. All the guys were pumped with the scene and the work put forth by Slednecks and the ISOC (International Series of Champions) to insure their mammoth jumps were met with a smooth and safe landing area. “I think I can pretty much say for all of us that we’re totally stoked to get back on the snow again – seems like forever since we rode on what we’re supposed to. It’s all been wood chips and dirt,” said Thacker. “Awesome that Monster, Slednecks and ISOC have teamed up to help bring the top two disciplines of sledding together (freestyle and snocross). We have some of the best guys in the business and a great crew, so I have no doubt we’re going to knock it out of the park the rest of the ACSS season!” Breaking new ground seemed to be the sentiment from all the Monster Energy/Slednecks crew. Thacker, Burandt and Rogers see the combination of the disciplines moving the entire sport of snowmobiling in the right direction. Case-in-point: The Invasion Tour’s effect in firing up the weekend crowd? Some 37,000 people braved the Minnesota cold to watch their Monster Energy counterpart on the snocross track, Tucker Hibbert, sweep both the Pro Stock and Pro Open class wins!  “It was definitely a Monster weekend,” said Burandt. “With us getting crazy and upside down on Friday night, then Tucker killing it on the track over the weekend – everybody there was pumped on Monster!” Friday’s show didn’t come off without a couple sketches – but what can you expect with 400-pound sleds getting hucked some 40 feet off the ground. “Actually all of our iron held up pretty well,” said Rogers. “I did have a little mishap on a flip. Got crossed up about midway through the show and ended up with a mild shoulder separation. Not a big deal. I should fine for our next show in a couple weeks here.” All about pushing each other and hanging out the big tricks, Monster Energy’s Thacker, Burandt and Rogers are bringing their legendary riding status – once saved for an elite few to witness in the Alaskan and Sierra backcountry – to some packed houses on the ACSS. “People are really wanting to see what we’ve been doing, outside the YouTube clips,” said Thacker. “So Monster and Slednecks is bringing it to them live on the ACSS. We are breaking new ground for sure and it’s cool to see the mutual respect the freestyle guys and the race guys have for each other. Both disciplines are crazy in their own right for sure. The fans loved it and we are all working on ways to improve not only what we are doing as riders, but how we can make every Monster/Slednecks Invasion Tour show better. “If you’re within driving distance of any of the Invasion Tour stops you won’t want to miss them!” The Monster Energy/Slednecks guys were also witness to Hibbert’s amazing run at sweeping both the Pro Stock and Pro Open classes. That said, when asked “Think you could hang with Tucker on a snocross course?,” Thacker, who rips on a dirt bike as well, put it best for all three by saying: “We’re all big fans of Tucker’s – the guy’s unreal on a sled. Not sure how long I’d could hang on a sled, let alone fend him off without getting lapped – but I plan on ripping some snocross this season so who knows? I used to be able to hang to maybe I can find that magic again!” The next Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour stop is scheduled for Dec. 12 at Mt. Zion and the campus of Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Mich. For more information on the ACSS link to: http://www.isocracing.com/ Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it snocross, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Tucker Hibbert digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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World’s fastest snocross racer opens hammers the competition at the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS) opener, winning the Pro Stock & Pro Open 
Photos courtesy of John Hansen
CORONA, Calif., (Dec. 1, 2008) – You can’t start a competition season much better than Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert did this past weekend in Minnesota as the local hero aboard the Arctic Cat sleds swept both the Pro Stock and Pro Open classes at the first-ever running of the newly formed AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS).
Recording his 39th and 40th wins in front of what promoters said was a record crowd (nearly 37,000) to witness a snocross race, fans at Duluth’s Spirit Mountain got a real good look at the iconic M-claw logo as Hibbert pulled holeshots and led both the premier main events from start to finish – lapping nearly half of the hyper-fast field in both races on his #68 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat sled.
“It doesn’t get any better than this. It was my goal to win both finals this weekend but I had no idea it would go so well,” said Hibbert. “My Monster Energy/Arctic Cat was unbelievable. The engine and suspension package was dialed in. The entire crew has been working so hard the past few months. We did our homework, put in the long hours and it shows. My dad (Kirk), Rob, Paul, Steve, Jeff, Fred and many others dedicated a lot of time to my program and I’m so thankful for them. I’ve been training really hard the past few years and feel stronger than ever.”
Keeping in mind that Hibbert possesses top ten Monster Energy Supercross Lites class speed it’s no wonder why entire extreme powersports industry views Hibbert as its best all-around racer. And Hibbert was quick to give credit to the new ACSS program and the way – similar to the outdoor nationals’ MX series – in which they’re running the new race program.
“I’m so pumped about the new race format,” he said. “Finally, were having long races that really showcase our fitness and the durability of our snowmobiles. The track was challenging, different and exciting. Every lap it changed so I constantly had to be watching lines. I had a blast. This is what racing is about and I cant wait until the next race.”
That ‘next’ race for Hibbert and the Monster Energy/Arctic Cat team is scheduled for Dec. 12-14 at Mt. Zion and the campus of Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Mich. For more information on the ACSS link to: http://www.isocracing.com/
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it snocross, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Tucker Hibbert digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster’s own Tyson Bowerbank will be featured on the Daily Habit tonight, December 1st, 2008 on Fuel TV.
Tyson will be featured along with the rest of the Osiris kids team. This is the week of the Tamp AM, the biggest Amateur contest in the U.S. for an up and comer like Tyson. What other way to kick off the week than visiting our friends at the Fuel TV studios to film the Daily Habit. Check your local listings and tune in to check out Tyson.
Monster Energy would like to wish Tyson and other Monster Army members the best of luck at the Tampa Am this weekend!!
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Team Green MX rippers capture a whole mess of championships and podium finishes at the last big amateur national motocross event of 2008 
CORONA, Calif., (Nov. 29, 2008) – A familiar name running the Monster Energy M-claw logo stood atop the Gatorback Cycle Park podium four times for the 37th annual Winter National Olympics – aka the Mini Os – in Gainesville, Fla. Team Green/Kawasaki’s Malcolm Stewart, brother of this year’s Monster Energy-backed motocross champion James Stewart, led all Monster Energy athletes at the Mini Os with two overall Motocross class championships in the Open B Stock and Open B Modified classes.
Stewart also won the 250 B Stock class (over Eli Tomac) and 250 B Modified class to bring his total of Mini Os MX class championships to four in the week-long event. “I felt I rode pretty well all week, especially on the outdoor track,” said Stewart. “I’ve been riding a lot more lately and taking my training pretty serious, which definitely helped.”
Along with Stewart, Christian Craig – son of SX great Mike Craig – also had ‘er pinned all weekend as well, winning the 250 A Pro-Am Open SX class, Four Stroke SX class and scoring podium finishes in the 250 A Pro-Am Modified SX class (3rd) and 250 A Pro-Am MX Modified classes.
“I’ve got my own program now and riding out of a new rig and I think that was key to my success,” said Craig. “I like riding the 450 and was able to get a few moto wins even though I haven’t had much time on that bike. I was a bit more comfortable on the 250 and was able to run in the front of the pack. This was my first pro race and I’m pumped with my performance, hope to improve on a few minor things before the nationals start up next year.”
Another Monster Energy rider putting in a great week of racing was Zach Bell. The just turned 14-year-old left his mark on the 12-13 class, winning the 12-16 SX Super Mini class, the 85 Stock and Modified MX classes, the 85 Stock SX class and placing 2nd in the MX 12-16 Super Mini. “My Kawasakis were awesome and I felt really confident all week,” said Bell.
The little guys on the 85s were led by Monster Energy’s Thomas Covington. The Team Green racer won the 85 9-11 Stock and Modified MX classes and the 85 9-11 Modified SX class.
Other Monster Energy-backed amateur racers running well at the Mini Os include: Max Anstie, 2nd 12-16 Youth SX Stock and 4th place finishes in Youth SX Modified , MX Stock and MX Modified. Jacob Hayes, 2nd 14-15 85 MX Modified and 4th 12-16 Youth SX Stock.
Note: Several top Monster Energy-backed amateur riders are out with injuries, including Adam Cianciarulo and Dean Wilson.
Both Amateur MX Magazine and Moto Playground are doing a great job covering the event. You can check out daily reports on the action, including your favorite Monster Energy-backed amateur racers, at both sites: www.amateurmx.com and www.motoplayground.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, rally, insane distance jumping, MotoGP, superbike, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, 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, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. All the racers running the M-claw logo at the Mini Os dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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