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Monster Energy confirm sponsorship of Tech 3 Yamaha Team for 2009
The Tech 3 Yamaha Team will be powered by Monster Energy in 2009 and 2010 after the energy drink brand penned an agreement with the private MotoGP team to become their title sponsor for at least the next two seasons. Former World Superbike champions Colin Edwards and James Toseland, who continue as the team’s riders in 2009, will see their latest version Yamaha YZR-M1s liveried with the famous Monster Energy M-Claw logo.
Thanks to the battling performances of the American and the Briton, Tech 3 Yamaha finished an impressive fourth in last season’s MotoGP Teams’ World Championship. Under the guidance of experienced team boss Hervé Poncharal, the team took two podium finishes and a further 11 top-six finishes to make them MotoGP’s top independent team in 2008.
Having already sealed a personal sponsorship deal with reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi recently, Monster Energy continue their global push with the support of one of the sport’s most experienced outfits. Already the number one by-volume sales energy drink in the USA, support of the French team will help its growth across the rest of the world and particularly in Europe - where MotoGP is one of the most highly prized events on the sporting calendar.
Monster Energy President, Mark Hall, explained the reasons behind the company’s decision to extend their commitment to the sport, “Both Colin and James built huge followings during their championship runs on the World Superbike tour and Monster Energy is pleased to become part of their continued efforts through our partnership with the Tech 3 Yamaha team for the upcoming ’09 MotoGP season. Tech 3 has a highly successful track record as one of MotoGP’s premier teams and will provide a solid platform for Monster Energy as we continue to develop our brand image globally.”
At the head of the Tech 3 team since its conception in 1989, and having taken the team to World Championship success in the 250 class in 2000, Poncharal admits the new deal has excited the whole squad. “It’s great to be linked with a growing brand such as Monster Energy, which has such a strong image and a big profile. Monster are very keen to support MotoGP and I’m sure that our partnership will prove to be very successful. The 2009 Yamaha package with the Bridgestone tyres has looked extremely promising in pre-season tests so far. Our aims are to go even better than in 2008, and thanks to this agreement we are highly motivated to do so.”
MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3’s next test will be at the Losail circuit in Qatar on the evenings of March 1st to 3rd. The MotoGP World Championship begins at the same circuit with the night-time Grand Prix of Qatar running under floodlights on the evening of April 12th.
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MONSTER CLEANS UP AT FINAL WINTER DEW TOUR: TORSTEIN VICTORIOUS, JOSSI THIRD IN SLOPE, COLBY STEALS THIRD IN SUPERPIPE Packed powder and spring conditions prevailed for the duration of the Dew Tour as the Monster Generals shifted into high gear for the final stop of Superpipe and slope. When the snow settled, the Monster crew claimed slopestyle victory, three podiums, and a few top-three finishes for the overall tour! SNOWBOARD SLOPESTYLE—MONSTER 2ND AND 3RD OVERALL In snowboard slopestyle, Torstein Horgmo claimed his second victory back to back, but a sixth-place finish after crashing at the first stop in Colorado couldn’t quite eclipse the consistency of Shaun White. Torstein took comfort in winning the Northstar event by a large margin however—in essence it was only a contest for second place. And speaking of second place, Torstein easily claimed the second position for the overall slopestyle Winter Dew Tour title—had there been but one more stop, and the Dew cup would surely have been ours.  Fellow Norwegian Mikkel Bang was clearly in contention for a podium when a massive rotation on the final money booter landed him well past the “sweet spot” of the transition. Fat to flat was an understatement, as the force of the landing literally broke his foot upon impact. The good news, Bang still held on to the slopestyle Winter Dew Tour third-place overall title. He should be as good as new in a few weeks, rested up, and recharged for spring. In snowboard Superpipe Monster’s Andy Finch is still beat up with an injured shoulder and ankle, as is Danny Kass. Louie Vito was back in form bringing much amplitude to his second finals run at Northstar-at-Tahoe, until a slight sketch sent him down late in the run for seventh place. In women’s pipe, Tahoe loke Elena Hight was second in prelims and just missed the podium during finals—on the ups, her consistent performances over the three Dew events garnered a commendable third place finish! Kjersti Oestgaard-Buaas was under the tutelage of Louie Vito learning some new tricks in Northstar’s pipe—anticipate next-level moves through the latter half of the year. SKIING—COLBY AND JOSSI BOTH CRACK THIRDS Captain of consistency Colby James West broke his Dew Tour curse and finally stood on the podium. Setting down a clean, stylish run early in the second Superpipe heat, amazingly, West’s score stuck through the entire duration, earning him a strong third place finish. Monster’s newest, Xavier Bertoni who bested legends Tanner Hall and Simon Dumont for gold in Superpipe at Winter X was in usual form, but the smaller pipe was giving the skiers fits and Xavier was no exception, ultimately landing in fifth position. In slope, Winter X Games champ TJ Schiller was on autopilot nursing sore ribs, while New Zealander Jossi Wells killed the course throughout the entire event. Much like Colby’s podium, it was a nail biter as the Kiwi watched helplessly as many top-level competitor’s unsuccessfully attempted to bump him out, “I’m just stoked my score stuck” laughed an elated Jossi on the podium afterward.  When it was all said and done, the sunny weather at the final Winter Dew Tour provoked high spirits and world-class performances. An upbeat vibe and playful conditions brought out the best in the best. Bloodied but unbowed, every member of the Monster crew stepped up and threw down.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monster Energy Supercross Preview: Indianapolis Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto moves into 4th place o/a in the SX class after 3rd @ Atlanta; SX Lites class as hot as ever with Pourcel & Stroupe CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 26, 2009) – This past weekend at Atlanta Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto raced to his third podium finish of the year and, in the process, passed up rival Josh Grant for 4th place in the overall SX class standings heading into this weekend’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, stop at Indianapolis’ new Lucas Oil Stadium. Villopoto has proved he’s well beyond the learning curve on the big bore 450 bikes and is now utilizing the skills that brought three outdoor national titles and the 2007 WSX title back to Kawasaki to master the technical Monster Energy Supercross tracks on the premier class KX450F. “We’ve really been working well as a team and were able to battle back the last two races after not scoring any points at Anaheim 3,” said Villopoto. “The goal at Indy will be to record our second-straight podium, which we did earlier in the season at Houston and San Francisco. Should be an interesting event this weekend being in a brand new NFL stadium, home of the Colts and all.” Villopoto’s had solid success at the city’s previous supercross venue, the RCA Dome. In his lone race at Indianapolis he scored a runner-up finish in the ESX Lites main event. Another Monster Energy-backed SX class racer for sure to keep and eye on at Indy is Josh Hill (Yamaha). Hill was flying last week in Atlanta, hitting all his marks and putting up some of his most consistently fast lap times of the season. Sans a couple mistakes, Hill could have made a bid for the top five. And Indy will be a likely spot for Hill to do just that as he was on the SX class podium there last year, finishing 2nd.  “Yeah, I had a good run at Indy last year – hope I can pull it off again this Saturday,” said Hill. “Yamaha’s got the bike set up perfectly and it’s just a matter of me limiting the errors, which I know I can do.” The Indy SX will also mark the debut of longtime Monster Energy MX racer Jason “JLaw” Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) in the premier SX class. The defending WSX Lites champion will run the Yamaha YZ450F at Indy in his first-ever SX class contest. “Looking forward to it,” was about all we could get out JLaw, who’s reportedly been flying on the 450 at some local SoCal tracks in preperation. Lawrence will be joined by teammate Nick Wey at Indy. Wey’s currently in 13th place in the overall standings.
Also, Monster Energy’s Tim Ferry will no doubt be looking to improve on his 10th place overall standing in the SX points chase. After coming away from San Francisco with no points, Ferry’s got two top ten finishes in the last three races (Anaheim 3 and Atlanta) and would like to get past Mike Alessi for 9th overall in the points. Ferry trails Alessi by six points, 93-87, for 9th in the SX class standings. Noteworthy: Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter is still on the sidelines with five broken ribs he suffered in a crash at San Diego. In the ESX Lites class Monster Energy enjoys the two premier racers in Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel and Austin Stroupe. And at Atlanta this past weekend that was again evident as the two put up the fastest practice times and swept the heat races (Stroupe heat one, Pourcel heat two), until the wheels came off the wagon in the main for Stroupe – as reported on www.monsternergy.com and www.monsterarmy.com this past Monday: In the Atlanta Lites main event Stroupe pulled the holeshot, with Pourcel in 2nd place, then opened up an early lead, thanks in part to a blistering 49.7 lap time early in the contest. Things seemed to be going smoothly and all signs pointed to a 1-2 Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki finish when Stroupe made a mistake in rut on lap nine (of 15) and stalled his KX250F. It took a moment for Stroupe to get the bike restarted, and once he did he found himself back in 8th place. That was all the room Pourcel would need as he went on to record the victory – his second in as many ESX races this season. “It was a mistake (by Stroupe) and I was pleased to cash in, but my bike was very fast and it wasn’t easy on that track,” said Pourcel. Note: Stroupe would place 7th. So keep a close eye on both the green M-claw bikes in the ESX Lites main. Pay close attention to where they line up and the start and, by golly, get back to your seat for the parade lap so you can watch who gets to the holeshot line first. (And keep this in mind, if you’ve got any rookie SX buddies at the event or watching at home on SPEED and CBS with you, take Pourcel and Stroupe and put up 20 bucks - give them the rest of the field to the holeshot line. Thank us later.) For more information on Monster Energy Supercross check out www.supercrossonline.com Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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 guys running the Monster Energy Supercross series dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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RELEASE: IMMEDIATE CONTACT: ANNA WELTZ TELEPHONE: (814) 352-2065 DATE: FEBRUARY 26, 2009 SEVEN SPRINGS MOUNTAIN RESORT HOSTS MONSTER ENERGY’S HOMECOMING, KRISTI LESKINEN’S INVITATIONAL SKI AND SNOWBOARD EVENT SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa. – Seven Springs Mountain Resort is pleased to present Kristi Leskinen’s invitational ski and snowboard event, Monster Energy’s Homecoming, March 13 – 15, 2009. Leskinen, a pioneer in women’s freeskiing and native of Uniontown, Pa., took home a bronze medal at the Winter X Games IX in the Women’s Superpipe. Her career highlights also include: second place Slopestyle at the 2009 Aspen Open, second place Slopestyle at the 2008 North American Open, third place Slopestyle at the 2007 US and Japan Opens, first place Halfpipe in the 2005 Gravity Games, second place Halfpipe in the 2005 World Championships and in 1999 she was the first female to compete in the US Open. "After traveling around the world to international competitions for the past 10 years, I'm thrilled to bring this contest to the resort where I grew up," said Leskinen, "We have an amazing group of athletes coming and Seven Springs is pulling out all the stops to make this event a huge success." Top female skiers and snowboarders, including three-time Winter X Games gold medalist skier Sarah Burke; Tara Dakides, four-time Winter X Games gold medalist and two-time silver medalist; and Hana Beaman, three-time Winter X Games silver medalist, will join Leskinen at Seven Springs for the all-girls ski and snowboard slopestyle event and rail jam. The contest will be an opportunity for the girls to push themselves, progress the sport and raise awareness and interest in the sport among young girls and women. Snow Park Technologies (SPT) will make a stop at Seven Springs on its way to the Burton US Open to build the course for the first annual event. The course will be created specifically for the purpose of showcasing the girls’ abilities and the sport. The event will be a rider-judged jam format encouraging the girls to go for their biggest tricks. The prize purse for the ski and snowboard contests will be $20,000. There will be many opportunities for spectators to interact with the athletes, including clinics, autograph sessions and more. Steelers Super Bowl Champion Chris Hoke will also be on-hand for autograph sessions. Practice sessions begin Fri., March 13 at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the day. The first rounds of the competition will be at 12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. with finals held at 2:45 p.m., Sat., March 14. On Sun., March 15, kids ages 10 – 16 will have the opportunity to ride with the pros from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Limited space is available for this event. Registration will be held in The Yurt from 8 – 9:30 a.m. An amateur rail jam will be held from 1 – 2 p.m. and a pro rail jam will follow at 2:30 p.m. For more information on Monster Energy’s Homecoming and a complete calendar of events, please visit www.7springs.com. Event sponsors include Willi’s Ski & Board Shop, Rome Snowboards and Oakley. Freeskier Magazine is the event’s media partner. Monster Energy’s Homecoming will be working with the Women’s Sports Foundation to promote healthy, active lifestyles for women and girls, and any proceeds from Sunday’s Ride with a pro session will be contributed to the organization. “The Women's Sports Foundation is excited by new events that give women's sports greater visibility and give girls additional opportunities to play and become active,” said Women’s Sports Foundation CEO Karen Durkin. “In creating this event, Kristi Leskinen is not only expanding her own sport, but has once again demonstrated that she is a wonderful role model for girls and a great ambassador for women's sports.” About Seven Springs Mountain Resort Seven Springs Mountain Resort, located in Seven Springs, Pa., is the state’s largest ski and four-season resort and has been rated the number one resort in the mid-Atlantic region by the readers of SKI magazine for 14 consecutive years. Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Washington D.C., Seven Springs is easily accessible from either exit 91 or 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Each year the family-friendly resort hosts more than one million overnight and day guests who visit the resort for skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing, sporting clays, downhill mountain biking, mountaintop golf and more. With more than 60,000 square feet of meeting space available, Seven Springs also hosts more than 1,000 meetings, conferences and banquet groups per year. Scheduled to open during the ski season of 2008 – 2009, Seven Springs’ Trillium spa will be a sanctuary unlike any other. The elegantly restored mountain chalet has been completely renovated and redecorated to create the perfect place to escape the stress and commotion of everyday life. Seven Springs also boasts numerous restaurants and eateries featuring innovative and classic meal selections. With its unique atmosphere, Timbers serves up a variety of appetizers, entrées and desserts ranging from the truly classic to the completely unexpected. The incomparable Helen’s Restaurant provides delectable intercontinental cuisine perfectly paired with a large selection of fine wines. In the Slopeside Dining Room, families can enjoy a magnificent view of the slopes while dining on a fulfilling meal in a relaxing environment. Seven Springs Mountain Resort can accommodate more than 5,000 overnight guests in its recently renovated 418-room, 10-story high-rise hotel, nearly 1,200 condominiums and town homes, eight cabins and 15 chalets. For more information on Seven Springs, visit www.7springs.com or call (800) 452-2223. About The Women’s Sports Foundation The Women's Sports Foundation-the leading authority on the participation of women and girls in sports-advocates for equality, educates the public, conducts research and offers grants to promote sports and physical activity for girls and women. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, the Women's Sports Foundation builds on her legacy as a champion athlete, advocate of social justice and agent of change. We strive for gender equity and fight discrimination in sports. Our work shapes public attitude about women's sports and athletes, builds capacities for organizations that get girls active, provides equal opportunities for girls and women, and supports physically and emotionally healthy lifestyles. The Women's Sports Foundation is recognized worldwide for its leadership, vision, strength, expertise and influence.
For more information, please call the Women's Sports Foundation at (800) 227-3988 or visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org. About Monster Energy Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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 and cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Kristi Leskinen digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com ###
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Vote for Tucker for the Snocross "Fan's Favorite Racer Award." Link below. http://www.isocracing.com/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=108 There is also a link on the www.isocracing.com homepage. |
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel wins SX Lites main while Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto makes the SX class podium
 
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 23, 2009) – Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, competing in his freshman year in the premier SX class of 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, recorded his third podium of the season, this past weekend racing to a 3rd place finish at Atlanta and moving past rival Josh Grant into 4th place in the overall SX class standings, 126-120.
And in ESX Lites class racing at the packed Georgia Dome it was Monster Energy’s Christophe Pourcel, who took advantage of his teammate Austin Stroupe’s mistake midway through the contest, who would take the top spot on the podium. Pourcel is now 2-0 in ESX class action this year.
Beginning with the SX class, Villopoto let it be known early that he was planning another run at a top three position, in which two of the spots week after week have pretty much been a given (Stewart & Reed). The Poulsbo, Wash., native took control of the unique red Georgia clay track with multiple deep sand sections mixed in and put up the third-fastest time in the SX class’ pro practice session, clocking an impressive 49.609-second best lap.
Villopoto then carried that momentum into the first heat race – which was stacked with Monster Energy talent including Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry, Josh Hill (Yamaha) and Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing’s Nick Wey – and topped Grant for 2nd place in the first heat. Noteworthy: While Hill (4th) and Ferry (6th) would transfer to the main from the first heat, Wey (13th) would have to catch his transfer to the main via the LCQ, where he finished 2nd.
When the gate dropped on the main Villopoto steered his Pro Circuit-tuned Monster Energy KX450F clear of trouble, coming out of the first turn in 4th place then quickly dispensed of Suzuki factory racer, Mike Alessi. It would take a couple laps, but Villopoto would then reel in, track, and eventually pass Yamaha factory racer Broc Hepler to put himself into 2nd place behind Stewart. Running in 2nd place at the halfway point of the contest, Villopoto was passed by Reed – then got Reed right back on the face of the finish line jump. And while Reed would eventually get past Villopoto for 2nd, the young Monster Energy/Kawasaki racer would hold off a field of the veteran talent – the world’s best supercross racers – to take 3rd place.
“It’s been a descent season so far,” said Villopoto. “I’ve got a few podiums and that’s what I’m looking for.”
It should also be noted that Hill made an impressive charge to get back into the top ten late in the race, finishing 9th – one spot behind Ferry (8th). A bit of poetic justice for Hill in that he failed to qualify for the main two weeks ago in San Diego. Wey would finish 15th to round out the Monster Energy SX class racers.
With nearly 70,000 fans in attendance, the amplitude level was at a premium when the gate dropped on the first main event – round two of the ESX Lites championship. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Stroupe and Pourcel were easily the two favorites to top the podium as they put up the day’s fastest lap times in practice and swept the first two Lites heat races – Stroupe winning heat one and Pourcel winning heat two.
In the Atlanta Lites main event Stroupe pulled the holeshot, with Pourcel in 2nd place, then opened up an early lead, thanks in part to a blistering 49.7 lap time early in the contest. Things seemed to be going smoothly and all signs pointed to a 1-2 Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki finish when Stroupe made a mistake in rut on lap nine (of 15) and stalled his KX250F. It took a moment for Stroupe to get the bike restarted, and once he did he found himself back in 8th place. That was all the room Pourcel would need as he went on to record the victory – his second in as many ESX races this season.
“It was a mistake (by Stroupe) and I was pleased to cash in, but my bike was very fast and it wasn’t easy on that track,” said Pourcel. Note: Stroupe would place 7th.
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed supercross racers is this weekend’s inaugural race at Indianapolis’ new Lucas Oil Stadium (Feb. 28).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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 guys running the Monster Energy Supercross series dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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By Eric Johnson
After 100 laps and 1 hour, 22 minutes and 17 seconds of racing, Ricky Carmichael pulled into the paddock area of Auto Club Speedway, shut off the 358 cubic inch engine, undid the safety net, pulled off his helmet and climbed out of his #4 Monster Energy-backed Chevrolet Silverado. Pelted with chunks of Good Year rubber and covered in a thin emulsion of grease and oil, the jet black and electric green truck had certainly just been given the once over twice in the San Bernardino County 200. 
“You finished eighth and were top rookie, dude!” exclaimed one of the mechanics, before beginning to tear the carburetor off the engine for post-race technical inspection.
“I’m top rookie?” smiled Carmichael.
As he waited to do a post-race interview with the Fox network, Italian-born driver Max Papis jogged over to see Carmichael.
“You’re the man,” said the friendly Italian, a former Formula 1, Champ Car, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Indianapolis 500 competitor who had placed fifth in the race. “You did really, really good.”
“Thanks a lot,” said an appreciative Carmichael.
In only his second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Ricky Carmichael had not only been able to crack the top 10, he had set a number of the fastest laps of the race along the way. It had a been an excellent afternoon and a far cry from Daytona — held just days earlier — where he had been crashed out on the 49th lap while running comfortably in the top five. And it was there the dark Daytona pit area while watching a crew of mechanics tend to his thrashed truck, he told the crowd of 100,000 fans, “It’s just a shame, man. It’s just a shame. I think I was out there earning everybody’s respect out there tonight. One of these days I’ll get some good luck at one of these things.”
Many close to Carmichael knew better things were just around the bend for the supercross superstar turned NASCAR pilot and a sense of optimism followed RC and company to across the nation to California.
Ricky Carmichael’s race weekend on the 2.0-mile, 14-degree banked Auto Club Speedway began on Thursday, February 19, 2009. In final practice for the second round of the 25-race 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Carmichael was scored a somewhat surprising third fastest with a lap of 42.269 ant 170.33 miles per hour.
“It is weird being here racing a truck because I’m so used to doing moto, but this place is pretty hairball,” conceded Carmichael, his first time racing in the Golden State in one of NASCAR’s elite classifications. Having won 150 races and 15 championships in his brilliant motocross career — 26 of those races in the state of California — Carmichael explained just what it took to hustle a 3,500-pound piece of race machinery around the quirky Fontana, California-based circuit.
“I really just played with my entry into the corner — getting into the corner and using more of an arc to try to keep rolling so I didn’t pinch myself off in the center of the turn. Coming off the turns, I really didn’t move around too much. You’re such on a fine line because you’re wide open pretty much the whole way. When the tires wear you breathe it a little bit and let off just to get the tires to set and then you’re back on it wide open. It’s crazy. This place is way harder than Daytona. Way harder. My teammate — Ron Hornaday — said, ‘This is probably going to be the hardest track for you.’ So I kind of feel like I’ve been thrown to the wolves, but shoot, we ended up third in practice. We were good in practice and I think most of us made mock qualifying runs, so we’ll see what happens. I now so guys are going to step it up. If I can qualify top 10, that would be damn good.”
On Friday, February 20 at precisely 1:40 P.M qualifying for Saturday’s race began. The eighth driver sent out to qualify was Carmichael. Two laps later after roaring around the relatively flat oval in his Kevin Harvick Inc.-prepared Chevy, Carmichael stopped the cocks at 41.858 and at a speed of 172.010.
“Sh--t! He’s 3/10ths [of a second] faster than anybody!” shouted a team member.
Five minutes later, down at the far end of pit road, Carmichael sat on the pit wall, the look on his face showing both amusement and shock.
“Man, I don’t know what to say,” offered Carmichael. “I’m still shaking from all the adrenaline. You just have to friggin’ throw it out there, man. The team is so awesome, really. When you’re going wide open like that you really have to lean on them and truck set-up. If we don’t get the pole, I’m still excited. I can’t complain.
“I was keeping my fingers crossed,” he went on about his fast lap. “I was on that edge. I wouldn’t have wanted to go any faster and that’s it. We’ll see what happens. I just want to finish the race and get the best finish we can. I want to make it past halfway and see what happens.
“It’s crazy, man. You just have to — and pardon my French — you just have to nut-up. The thing about the trucks is that you’re wide open. You have to have so much trust in throwing that thing in there. I lifted maybe one millimeter between one and two. The rest I was open on both laps. Dude, I mean my adrenaline and my heart rate is just fluttering (laughter).”
In the end, only Kyle Busch — a 12-time race winner in the premier NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and widely considered to be the finest, most talented driver in the sport — and 2008 and reigning champion Johnny Benson wound up being the only two drivers faster than Carmichael.
“Oh well, dude,” he sighed afterwards. “You can’t be greedy. Ain’t much I can do. It would have nice to sit on the front row, but dude, I can’t complain.”
Still, 45 minutes later, reality set in: He REALLY wanted to start his second NASCAR race from the front row.
“Damn, I wish I could have held on,” he mused, staring at a timing monitor inside the team transporter. It would have been awesome to be on the front row.”
Sunday, February 21, 2009. Race day. As the sun struggled to burn through morning haze of the Inland Empire, Ron Hornaday, driver of the #33 Camping World Chevrolet and a three-time Truck Series champion, stood outside the team’s 18-wheel truck. It was at this point that I asked Hornaday, Carmichael’s KHI teammate, why he believed the California track would be the toughest the rookie would face all season.
“It’s wearing out,” started the Californian. “It’s just one of those tracks that’s a superspeedway, short tack and everything else combined into one track. And the way these trucks drive around here, it’s slippery. This is a driver’s racetrack and you’re going to have to drive the heck out of it.
“In fact Ricky just came by and asked me about the start today,” Hornaday went on. “He asked me what they’re going to do in the first corner and stuff like that. Basically I told him to hold it wide open the first lap just because you’re not up to speed yet. You have to just see where everyone is going to sort out and try and find somebody who is not doing anything stupid and just learn. That’s what he’s got to do.”
And how did Hornaday, a wheelman with 38 wins and 138 top 10s to his name in Truck Series competition, think of his teammates chances of making it in this four wheel form of motorsport?
“He’ll be fine. The passion of his wanting to win and knowing of his background of just racing hard, he’s got that seat of the pants feel and it just shows. He just wants finish this one. That’s all he’s got to do. He’s got the savvy about the feel of what the truck does. That goes a long way. He’s going to go long way.”
When the green flag dropped to begin the San Bernardino County 200, Ricky Carmichael flew through the gear pattern getting up to speed with the 36 other trucks entered and headed pell-mell into the first turn. Right from the onset, he was deep in the mix, running in the top five with leader Kyle Busch, Jeff Bodine, Mike Skinner, Ron Hornaday and a band of others. As the 100-lap race wore on, Carmichael moved up and down the leader board, right in the middle of it all, racing hard and earning the respect of the other drivers. On lap number 46, Carmichael made his second pit stop, crewmembers affixing four new Good Year tires to his truck. As the race neared the twilight stage of 25 laps to go Carmichael dove down pit lane for a quick “splash and go” stop, taking on just enough petrol to finish the race. It was at this point that the team made a slight chassis adjustment to the truck. Carmichael left the pits in an asphalt wrinkling cloud of smoke. He’d dropped down the tall scoring pylon, but he kept on trucking, and when he ultimately met the checkered flag, he flashes across the finish line strip in eigth place. The team was thrilled with the result. Meanwhile, over the in-truck radio, Carmichael was bummed. He wanted more.
An hour later, back in the pits, he’d calmed down and had come to terms with the fact he drove a hell of a good race.
“It was good,” he reflected. “When I got my last set of tires they made an adjustment and it really freed the truck up and really helped it. I guess I was one of the fastest guys on the track (Note Carmichael was the fastest truck on the track on laps 78, 81 and 82). I just screwed us up on track position at one point, but man, you live and learn. If I would have kept going with the way the truck was, we would have never finished where we did.
And just how was the truck when it was acting up?
“It was like I was on ice,” he explained of the ill-handling Silverado. “I was really up on it the whole time. I just had to counter steer, but you know, that’s how you go fast. You just have to be able to roll with it.”
You have to be happy, dude,” I said to RC. “I mean on Friday morning, you said you’d be happy as hell to just finish the race and get out of here with the fenders on the truck. You certainly did much better than that!
“No! No! I’m super pumped and I learned a lot and these guys worked hard,” replied Carmichael, nodding adamantly. “I wish we could have done better for them, but personally, I’m happy. But you know what? You always want more.”
A racer is a racer... The next “truck stop” for Ricky Carmichael and the #4 Monster Energy Chevrolet Silverado: Kansas Speedway and the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 on April 25.
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MONSTER’S TORSTEIN HORGMO STOMPS OUT THE COMPETITION FOR FIRST PLACE IN SLOPESTYLE AT NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE, AND CLAIMS SECOND PLACE OVERALL FOR THE SERIES Torstein Horgmo laid the competition to waste under bluebird skies at Northstar-at-Tahoe. Even the flying tomato was no match for Horgmo’s ironclad technical precision, literally conceding the win and settling for the second spot. Culminating with his now-famous switch backside 1260 Torstein was surely shredding on another level than his peers, the boy was on fire. Just days after surviving a near tragedy as he was buried in an avalanche in Lake Tahoe’s backcountry, he was riding like a man possessed—and this event was simply a contest for second place. “After falling at the first stop in Breckenridge, it’s just been really great to win the last two events. The avalanche was definitely weird, you know, but I’m okay and luckily Andreas Wiig was there to dig me out real quick,” said Torstein. To sweeten the victory, Torstein landed in second place overall for the Winter Dew Tour despite a crash and subsequent sixth place finish at the first stop. Mid way through the year Torstein’s slopestyle runs are unstoppable, and the young Norwegian appears unflappable. Torstein’s reign of terror has just begun! In other Monster Norwegian news young Mikkel Bang took slopestyle’s third place overall on the Winter Dew even though he crashed out at Northstar-at-Tahoe. Mikkel was on his way to a podium finish for second or third when the lanky, stylish Norwegian overshot the last jump landing perfectly but well past any transition. He went so big in fact, that Bang fractured his trailing foot upon impact. The good news is that he should only be out four weeks tops. “I’m really bummed I hurt myself, but I’ll be ready to film all spring, and to be honest, with all my traveling I could use a little break,” related Mikkel afterward. Be assured Norway’s prodigy will be right back at it in no time, impressing with his style, and winning with his technique. Get better Mikkel! So there you have it—a second epic day in Tahoe with buttery packed powder, another Torstein victory, and our two Monster Norwegians locking down second and third place overall in slopestyle. For the latest news on the Monster snow crew check out www.monsterenergy.com on the daily.
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NOTHING BUT ALL GOOD TIMES AND SUNSHINE AS MONSTER TROOPS SET IT OFF AT THE FINAL WINTER DEW TOUR STOP
After a week of winter weather blanketed the West Coast in snow, the final Winter Dew Tour at Northstar-at-Tahoe has been graced with epic sunny skies! Spring-like temps and perfect packed powder conditions have Monster Generals in high spirits as the pipe and slopestyle course are perfectly groomed, fast, and markedly softer and more forgiving than previous Winter Dew sessions.
In snowboard slopestyle prelims today, Monster was at ease as both Torstein Horgmo, and Mikkel Bang (along with Shaun White) were the only riders pre qualified for finals tomorrow. Instead the Norwegian Winter X Games bronze medalist and freshly crowned Canada Open slopestyle champ slept in and rested up after wiring the course a day earlier. “All the travel has been great, but it was so nice to rest up and recharge,” said Bang. Lest you think he slept the day away, Mikkel was firing laps through the Superpipe and totally killing it with his smooth style for the second half of the day. Torstein Horgmo, coming off a bit of a scare after setting off a slide in the Tahoe backcountry earlier in the week with fellow countrymen Andreas Wiig, was content to run the slope course with zero pressure, work on his tan, and “Just enjoy still being alive.”
In Ski Superpipe prelims two of the Monster Generals straight killed it placing second and third respectively. While many skiers were slightly put off by the smaller superpipe at 18 feet versus the “new” 22-foot standard, the latest recruit to the Monster snow forces, Xavier Bertoni, along with Colby James West both simply tore it up, landing high on the transition and working every foot of the walls for a litany of hits. As Xavier just won Winter X Games and took second in Utah the following week, anticipate a serious bid for the final Dew Tour win. While Colby medaled in slopestyle at Aspen versus pipe he is clearly feelin’ the transition at Northstar and poised to stay in the top three come finals.
With several days of guaranteed sun on lock for the Tahoe region, athletes and spectators alike are on an all-time high. The kickers are plentiful and the weather is beautiful—if you can’t be here to watch it live, tune into NBC. For breaking news on the Monster snow posse’s latest and greatest at Winter Dew, check www.monster.com on the daily.
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Despite the unseasonably warm weather and winds, Monster Energy’s Paul Thacker and the rest of the Slednecks crew fire up the snowmobile-friendly crowd @ Finger Lakes 
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 19, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Paul Thacker just checked in with a quick report on this past weekend’s Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour that went off at Finger Lakes Gaming & Horse Track in Fairfield, N.Y. And by all accounts the fifth Invasion Tour event - combining with an AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series - was again a huge success.
Blasting indian airs, Superman seat grabs and the gutty snowmobile backflip, Thacker & crew had the place packed and the bleachers crowd drawn to their feet the minute the show started – never sitting down through the end (we tend to know they were all fired up on Monster Energy Drinks and the gnarly tricks that the riders were pulling off!).
“Fans came out in droves to watch the Monster Energy/Slednecks guys trying to knock another one out of the park,” said Thacker of the estimated 7,500 fans in attendance. “The New York fans were insane. They were so loud that we could actually hear them while we were riding. It was our best crowd yet. Amazing fans and another amazing show.”
Joining Thacker on the Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour stop in New York was Steve Martin, Jeff Mullin, Matt Tingstad and Eric St. John. And how apropos was the glowing green Monster M-claw logo pumping up the fans on a Friday the 13th – while in the midst of a heat wave and crazy winds that blanketed the east coast!
“The warm temperature and rain made the track rock hard at the start,” said Thacker. “But once we loosened up the landing area it was game on.”
The Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour – the western hemisphere’s premier freestyle snowmobile touring show – returns to action this weekend in Valcourt, Quebec, Canada, for the Grand Prix Ski-Doo National – Grand Prix de Valcourt. For more information on the Invasion Tour and ACSS stops, link to: www.slednecks.com and http://www.isocracing.com/
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it FSX, 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. Thacker and the boyz on the Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Weimer and Morais go 2-3 in San Diego SX Lites class while Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Villopoto scores a 4th in SX class 
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 16, 2009) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer fought back from getting pinched off at the start of the San Diego SX Lites main event and battled all the way up to a podium 3rd place, scoring some valuable points as Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, WSX Lites title contest leaves the west coast for the next nine weeks while the ESX racers return to action.
While Weimer, who placed 2nd in the first heat race to make the main, was held up in the finals’ start, his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Ryan Morais was able to rocket his KX250F out to the holeshot and early lead. In hot pursuit was Ryan Dungey, who trailed Weimer by three points, 113-110, for the overall WSX point lead heading into San Diego. And though Weimer would come roaring back, the technical track design would not allow for a run at Dungey – much like some of the other WSX tracks would have.
“The track was real good, but tough to pass on and I had a few people to get by,” said Weimer. “Did the best I could and we’ll just have to go get ‘em next time.”
As Weimer picked his way through the congested pack and, later in the race, lapped riders, he caught up to Morais. Another lap and things would have been interesting, but Morais had built just enough of a lead to hold the charging Weimer off by less than 100th of a second. From the podium Morais (as did Weimer) thanked the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team with setting them up with such a competitive bike, then also threw out some thoughts to fallen rider Jeremy Lusk.
“Practice was a little rough and I felt a little tight tonight,” said Morais, who was only the ninth-fastest rider in practice. “I’d like to dedicate this to Jeremy Lusk and his family.”
Weimer now trails Dungey by a couple points, 135-133, with two WSX rounds remaining (Seattle, April 18th, and Salt Lake City, April 25th). And Morais is solidly on the overall podium and well within striking distance of the top spot with 124 points.
In the Supercross class Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto pulled the holeshot in the second heat race and lead for a bit before being overtaken by James Stewart. Villopoto and veteran Chad Reed then hooked up in a good battle before Reed edged out Villopoto, who would place 3rd in the heat. Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry would transfer to the main through the second heat as well, placing 8th while Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing’s Nick Wey would make the main via a late pass on Jacob Marsack in the first heat, grabbing the last transfer spot (9th). Unfortunately, Monster Energy’s Josh Hill (Yamaha) run into some bad luck and not qualify for San Diego’s SX main event.
In the main Villopoto, who was running a slick-looking San Diego Chargers tribute helmet, with Monster Energy along the jaw line, got away clean at the start and was running in around 8th place early. Wey was out descent as well, rolling past the finish line in 11th place after the first lap. The same could not be said for Ferry who was brought to a stop at the start due to another rider’s error and found himself in 18th (out of 20) after the first lap.
Villopoto would mount a charge early, picking off factory Honda veteran Kevin Windham, then factory Honda’s Davi Millsaps and factory Suzuki’s Mike Alessi. Up to 4th place by the midway point of the race, Andrew Short, Reed and Stewart had put just too much distance between themselves and the rest of the pack and Villopoto would be forced to settle on 4th place.
“My bike was running at podium speed tonight. I just made a bit of a mistake at the start and it cost me,” said Villopoto, who moved to within six points of Josh Grant, 112-l06, for 4th place overall in the SX class standings.
Wey also ran well, putting up his first top ten finish since week one (Anaheim, Calif.) with a 9th place effort in the main. Said Wey: “I had a bit of a rough streak going there, pumped I could pull myself out of it. We’ve got the bike dialed now and I don’t see any reason why we can’t continue to move up in the standings as we near the halfway point of the season here.” Note: Wey is currently 14th overall in the SX class standings, 30 points outside the top ten.
Also noteworthy: Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter failed to make the main event, which is the first time that’s happened this season to the gritty New Yorker.
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed supercross racers is the Atlanta Supercross, Feb. 21st, at the Georgia Dome. Note: Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaski’s Christophe Pourcel and Brett Metcalfe are in 1st and 2nd place, respectively, in the ESX Lites points chase.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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 guys running the Monster Energy Supercross series dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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BMX icon, musician, MTV celebrity and all-around good guy, Lavin gets the Monster Army caught up on what’s been happening and is about to happen
By Pat Schutte
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 13, 2009) – The sport of BMX has about one the best ambassadors in all of action sports in Monster Energy’s T.J. Lavin. The talented Las Vegas local and longtime Monster athlete has forged a course for himself through the sometimes treacherous flight lines above BMX dirt jumping courses and, with an equal amount of smarts and hard work, has allowed himself to stomp the landings in interesting areas outside the action sports world.
A star on MTV’s popular “Real World Road Rules Challenge” sagas as well as being a dynamite musician with his own recording studio, Lavin has his bike to thank for many of the advances he’s making now. But that’s not to say he’s even close to putting the kickstand down on his S & M dirt bike (ha, ha – like those bitchin’ bikes have kickstands!) and/or letting the weeds grow on his backyard BMX dirt jump park. No way, man. Lavin’s at it harder than ever, up and training for a couple hours before most of us roll out of bed and riding his bike for the pure joy of riding a bike.
We caught up with T.J. and got the lowdown on what’s been happening with his music, TV and on his BMX career, what he’s doing right now and what he’s got planned for this summer. Check it out, man, T.J. Lavin!
Monster Energy: Before we get into BMX bikes, let's first catch up a bit on your music career. You’re working on your second CD titled "Second Set,” which features the Stephen Murray tribute song "Soldier.” When can Monster Army members look forward to picking up a copy?
T.J. Lavin: “The Second Set is almost finished. I'm just waiting on one last track from a friend of mine. He's putting a verse on it and the whole CD's done! It's been a while, but I think that’s OK if your happy with the outcome. I've also been working on a lot of stuff for a rapper named "Slick Life," so watch out for that.”
Monster Energy: We caught the video of "Soldier" again on YouTube. It's been almost a year since you put that together. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=862Upwy-qYo
Was Stephen pretty pumped with it? What'd he say to you after he saw it?
T.J. Lavin: “He loved it and that was the most important thing, ya know? Stephen’s such a great dude and to have a guy like that in your life really puts everything in perspective.”
Monster Energy: That had to mean the world to you.
T.J. Lavin: “Totally. I wouldn't put anything out without his total support so I was really glad he liked it.”
Monster Energy: Have you been adding any new equipment to your recording studio, learned any new instruments since the last time we caught up with you?
T.J. Lavin: “I've been messing with the guitar lately, but nothing to brag about that's for sure (laughter).”
Monster Energy: Vegas music scene still pretty tight? You been working with anyone outside your usual crew?
T.J. Lavin: “Mostly Slick Life and Big B. Oh, and Rico from the Alkaholiks is coming out with a solo that I did a few tracks on for him. He's a good dude, too.”
Monster Energy: Been rolling around on that bike of yours much?
T.J. Lavin: “I’ve been riding the new S & M dirt bike and loving it. No crazy new tricks yet, but I'm feeling great on the bike so that's all that matters.”
Monster Energy: How's the competition scene shaping up for you this year? Dew Tour, DK Dirt Circuit, CBF…got plans?
T.J. Lavin: “Not too sure to be honest. I really want to ride the Dew Tour and everything but the schedule is always conflicting with other things like MTV stuff or a great road trip to ride trails. If the timing is right and I can get it together then I'd love to try to get back out there.”
Monster Energy: And what’s your thoughts on the X Games dropping BMX Dirt Jumping?
T.J. Lavin: “I really think they're making a grave mistake turning their backs on the sport that got them to be such a great event. Dirt Jumping is a staple in action sports so I guess no X Games for me.”
Monster Energy: Those Monster Army members who don’t know will be stoked to hear there's a pretty new movie out about you called "A Film about T.J. Lavin." You can check out the link to it here, along with a trailer: http://tjlavin.de/sport/index.html
T.J. Lavin: “It's been out for a while, but it's still pretty relevant I think.”
Monster Energy: What's happening with MTV's "Real World Road Rules Challenge" these days, you still working that?
T.J. Lavin: “Yeah we just got back from Queenstown, New Zealand, which is by far the nicest place I've ever been.”
Monster Energy: You look like you’ve got yourself into some killer shape for those shows. Been training a bunch?
T.J. Lavin: “I work out four days a week in the gym from 5:30 a.m. to around 9 a.m. A lot of plyometric cardio and weights. Good stuff. My trainer’s names if Tim Soder and Joe Rainone and my training partner is Reed Johnson, who’s the centerfielder for the Chicago Cubs.”
Monster Energy: Right on. Drop us a note when your next MTV deal’s about to air and CD’s about to drop and we’ll alert all the Monster Army enlistees – along with your fellow Generals, who’ll no doubt be impressed with your training regiment!
T.J. Lavin: “Will do. I’m pumped to be part of the Monster Army and thanks a lot to everyone at Monster Energy.”
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it BMX, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, 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. T.J. Lavin digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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AA Rated Event #5 of the 2009 MONSTER ENERGY/SUN DIEGO PRO-AM SURF TOUR presented by EZEKIEL was held January 31-February 1 at Oceanside Pier in 1-2 foot surf.
 
PRO RESULTS
1. SHAUN WARD - $2,000
2. SEAN MARCERON - $1,200
3. AUSTIN WARE - $ 700
4. TEDDY NAVARRO - $ 500
= 5. RICKY WHITLOCK - $ 300
= 5. JEFF LUKASIK - $ 300
THE SECTOR 9 EXPRESSION SESSION FINAL – WINNER TAKES ALL!!
1. LUKE DAVIS - $300
ERIC McHENRY
SEAN MARCERON
JEFF LUKASIK
MENS OPEN DIVISION
1. SEAN FOWLER $300
2. BEN KNIGHT
3. LUIS BARBOZA
4. CASEY FURTADO
5. SEAN PEARSON
6. SCOTT QUARRIE
JUNIORS DIVISION
1. SEAN PEARSON $150
2. NICK ROWE
3. SEAN CELONA
4. JD McFADDEN
5. AUSTIN ROWE
6. KEYEN BENTLEY
MASTERS DIVISION
1. ED CUSTODIO $150
2. SCOTT QUARRIE
3. DONOVAN STAPLETON
4. SEAN FOWLER
5. STEVE MOORE
6. RAT BATTISTI
WOMENS OPEN DIVISION
1. HEATHER JORDAN $100
2. HARLEY TAICH
3. BREANNE CUSTODIO
4. KYLIE BARKER
5. ALEXA FRANTZ
6. BRANDY JESTER
BOYS DIVISION
1. KYLE TIMM $100
2. BRANDON MANGUSO
3. MATT LEWIS
4. ZACK EMGE
5. CALEB ROSEN
6. NELSON KINGERY
MINI-GROM DIVISION
1. HUNTER JOHNSON $50
2. SKIP McCULLOUGH
3. JAY CHRISTENSON
4. ADAM HANSON
5. KEONE BETANZOS
6. ZACK CLARK
A big thanks to all of the series’ sponsors: Monster Energy, Sun Diego Boardshops, Ezekiel Clothing, Osiris Shoes, Sector 9, Spy Optic, Creatures of Leisure, Skull Candy, West Wetsuits, Zinka, Ezera Surfboards, and Transworld Surf.
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Who is Monster? Tell us in a short video and have a chance to win a Monster Army Athlete prize pack.
Prize:
- Monster Athlete Hat
- Monster Athlete T-shirt
- Monster Athlete Backpack
ENTER THE CONTEST HERE
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The weeks leading up to the final Winter Dew Tour have been dramatic ones for the Generals in Monster’s Winter Army: TJ Schiller winning Winter X Games slopestyle and Sarah Burke’s explosion attempting a 900 when a 360 would’ve won gold. From skier Colby James’ and snowboarder Mikkel Bang both taking bronze in slopestyle at Aspen, to Danny Kass smashing up his shoulder at Mount Snow, Vermont—we’ve suffered highs and lows. And that’s winter warfare for you, as slope and Superpipe have gone full contact sport.
SNOWBOARDING—A NORWEGIAN SHOW
Monster’s Mikkel Bang and Torstein Horgmo have locked up second and third overall in slopestyle coming into the final Dew Tour event. With a second in big air at the Winter X Games and a second at Red Bull Snowscrapers in NYC, Torstein is in perfect health mentally and physically, arriving in Tahoe a week early—ready to put in work.
Mikkel has been slaying the slopestyle course this year and has major momentum coming off a bronze medal at Winter X slopestyle where he mysteriously learned the much-heralded switch 1260. Then winning the Burton Canadian Open slopestyle February 9th!
In snowboard Superpipe Monster’s Andy Finch and Louie Vito, both suffering sprained ankles, are now officially on the mend. The two injured athletes did both make the cut for Winter X Superpipe finals however! Andy shredding without a single aspirin or Advil, “Your body is trying to tell you something, so listen” said Finch. Louie is making turns in the soft powder of Snowbird, Utah to rest up and report’s “I’m feeling much better, I’m shredding with the ankle tape totally off!” Danny Kass is planning to compete at the final Dew Tour stop as well, keep up with his shenanigans via Danny And The Dingo on Fuel TV.
In women’s snowboarding, Kjersti Oestgaard-Buaas was clearly robbed in Aspen, not even placing on the podium after a huge and technical run culminating in the most stylish air to fake in the game. The good news, she’s healthy and ready for Tahoe. Elena Hight, no stranger to concussions wasn’t allowed to compete at Winter X by staff doctors after a horrific spill cracked her helmet like humpty dumpty—kids, helmets work—use ’em. The flying Hawaiian is locked and loaded for the final stop of Winter Dew in her own backyard at Northstar. Will Leanne Pelosi show, or will she be filming a mountain or two over with the guys at Standard Films—if she makes an appearance, bet Pelosi kills it.
SKIING—TJ AND COLBY ON A ROLL
TJ Schiller is riding high, after coming in as an alternate—then winning the Winter X Games slopestyle. “I hurt my knee a year ago, and now it’s like nobody remembers me” related TJ the day before his big win. With redemption clearly on his mind, Schiller crushed the competition and reclaimed his spot amongst freeskiing’s most progressive. Colby James West was also killing the slopestyle course in Aspen, but after witnessing TJ’s first run, played it safe and coasted into a well-deserved bronze medal with a text book run punctuated by a massive inverted rotation over the transfer gap, “I knew I wasn’t going to beat TJ, so I just set down a clean one.” The Dew Tour hasn’t been kind to Colby so far, hopefully he can maintain his Winter X momentum in either slope or Superpipe. New Monster recruit Xavier Bertoni who blew minds smoking both Tanner Hall and Simon Dumont for gold in Superpipe at Winter X will be there—expect serious next-level power moves from the young Frenchmen. Jossi Wells was destroying the slopestyle course at X but a couple sketches kept him out of the running—anticipate a solid last-ditch effort from Jossi at Northstar. Everyone knows he’s got the skills to take it. Peter Olenick has been quiet with a lame ankle also, but vowing to “kill it at Northstar,” anticipate a Monster-sized Whiskey Flip on the first Superpipe hit, and a diverse attack of the slope course. With Sarah Burke out with a lower back injury (get better Sarah!) all hope lies with Kristi Leskinen in slopestyle. Frustrated by devastatingly slow snow in Aspen, look for Kristi to vent at Northstar—especially if there’s a fast course with descent weather.
All in all, the last stop of the Winter Dew Tour should prove ridiculous as the shreds go for broke, make it or break it style for the final event. Be sure to watch it live on NBC at
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The motocross world will miss one of it's most talented riders. Check out the links below and help contribute.
http://www.athleterecoveryfund.com/
http://prayforjeremylusk.blogspot.com/
http://www.grindtv.com/blog/1737/rip-jeremy-lusk-112f262f1984--022f092f2009/
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Clifford tops fellow Monster Energy wakeboarder Jimmy LaRiche at the final round to win the overall title; Monster’s Melissa Marquardt’s 2nd in women’s
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 9, 2009) – This just in from Australia: Monster Energy’s newly signed pro wakeboarder, 15-year-old sensation Harley Clifford, has won the overall Pro Men’s division of the 2009 Air Nautiques Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding, topping fellow Monster Energy wakeboarder Jimmy LaRiche for the title at Nudgee Beach in Brisbane, Australia.
Clifford, who narrowly topped LaRiche – who was leading the tour heading into Brisbane – was as stoked as one could imagine. “I am super pumped to have won the tour,” he said. “It was a goal of mine ant it is really cool that this happened so early in my career. I am still on a high from the win.”
In the Pro Women’s division Monster Energy’s Melissa Marquardt finished 2nd overall.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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. Our pro wakeboarders dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Thorne’s down with his grass roots skatepark tour, jammin’ with his band “Good Guys in Black,” and spreading the good word from Monster Energy along the way 
By Pat Schutte
DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich., (Feb. 9, 2009) – Sometimes when you’re one of 55,000 other people sitting in the stands, Monster Energy Generals like Ryan Villopoto and Jeremy “Showtime” McGrath can seem a bit distant. Spending an hour in line for an autographed poster and high five in the pits is worth it, but then what if you want Tim Ferry’s autograph and Nick Wey’s as well?
 And you think that’s a grind, try getting past security at the X Games to say “Hey” to Greg Lutzka or Dave Mirra. Man, Monster Army members can have it tough when it comes to face time with the Generals!
But not with Monster Army general, pro BMXer and mic master Rick Thorne. On his Monster Energy-backed “Join The Army” Skatepark Tour Thorne’s as accessible as the guy standing next to you right now. In the middle of a two-month road-doggin’ tour that’s blitzing through the Midwest right now, Thorne’s jammin’ with his band – “Good Guys in Black” – and taking Monster Energy product to the street in probably the most core street level concert/competition promotion the company has going right now.
“This is what it’s all about, man. Taking the Monster Army message to the streets,” says Thorne as he’s busy helping his crew set up the sound system at a recent stop at Transitions Skatepark in Dearborn Heights, Mich. “Those are Monster’s No. 1 consumers out there,” pointing to a packed house of skaters and BMXers. “These kids’ll spend their last couple bucks for a can of Monster so they’ve got enough fuel for a rippin’ skatepark session – like tonight’s. This is as core as it gets.”
Thorne says this is how Monster Energy got to the status it enjoys in today’s energy drink market – No. 1 by-volume in the USA. Words like being “down” and “core” flow out of his mouth as freely as the free Monster Energy flows with the skaters, BMXers and their entourages at each of his 20 tour stops through 12 states. His band kicks ass, gearing up to whip the already Monstrous energy level into a raging, spinning, grinding frenzy of skate shoes, T-shirts and ripped jeans-clad young men in a rowdy showdown of talent. Or in other words just putting the Monster Energy ideology to the talent pool that’s already hanging out and flicking the loud punk rock music switch, which they’ll do here in a few minutes.
“These kids live for Monster,” says Thorne. “I sometimes think that people back in Corona (Calif., Monster’s headquarters) have no idea how insane it is out here. The loyalty to Monster at the core level – on the streets – is off the charts. I’ve seen it where ever I go, and the past month that’s been all across the United States. Monster’s not just a beverage, man. To these kids it’s a way of life.”
As Thorne continues to talk, every now and then flicking the mic on and riling up the already feverous crowd anticipating the music and competition, guys pull up to him on bikes and skateboards – offering knuckles or grabbing a bro hug. They feel as if he’s one of them, and Thorne shows him that he is – always.
“Dude, I saw you guys in Columbus (Ohio) and we had to road trip all the way up here to catch you guys again,” says a 17-year-old kid with a skateboard deck under his arm, couple chewed up Monster Energy M-claw stickers on it.
“Yeah, dog. Thanks a lot,” says Thorne. “You competing tonight?”
“%&$# yeah,” says the kid. “Right on,” says Thorne.
It’s like eight degrees outside and the heater inside Transitions has been broken for some time. If you look close there’s steam coming off some of the athletes who are standing for a moment by the doors – or where doors used to be in the clapped-out warehouse that’s a second home to many of them. Skaters and BMXers rip back and forth, aware of each other’s terrain and lines, but not yielding when they’ve got it pinned heading into a quarter pipe or rail. The action’s at a full on pace, then jagged strum of an electric guitar spells instant bedlam and a mad rush to the stage.
“YEAH! LET’S GET THIS THING STARTED! I’M RICK THORNE AND THIS IS GOOD GUYS in BLACK!” The place goes bananas.
Thorne and his band rip through their first set, matting the accelerator on each song and not letting off until they run out of words. When the music abruptly stops, Thorne’s quick to pump up the contest portion of the “Join the Army” tour. “HEY, IF YOU GUYS HAVEN’T SIGNED UP YET YOU’VE GOTTA HANDLE THAT UP FRONT, OK?!” A few kids peel off the makeshift stage and head to the haggard pro shop. Cases upon cases of Monster Energy product, mainly Original, are doled out to the skaters and BMXers, along with everyone else in attendance lining the perimeter of the tight ramps-to-walls areas.
The contests are pulled off in two stages, one of the skaters and one for the BMXers. Winners in each division are named to the “Monster Army Flow Team.” The place blows up when the top guys take their runs, establishing or, in many cases, re-establishing the skatepark hierarchy where ever Thorne’s “Join the Army” tour stops. From start to finish it’s like six hours of mayhem. And Thorne’s right in his element, burning the candle at all three ends.
“I’m pumped I’m able to do this with Monster,” he says. “I can’t think of how it’d work with any other brand. These guys are down with Monster and we’re stoked on bringing it to them, letting their energy run the show. Our music just makes it that much more intense. And right after it’s over we’re packing up and ready to hit another city the following day.”
Rick Thorne’s Monster Energy “Join the Army” Skatepark Tour continues to roll through the Midwest, stopping outside Minneapolis tonight, and wrapping up in Lake Perris, Calif., at the Compound Skatepark, Feb. 15th. For more information on the tour, link to Thorne’s website at: www.rickthorne.tv
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it skate, BMX, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, 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. Rick Thorne digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Where: Oakley Headquarters
When: Wednesday Feb. 11tth 2009
Time: 7pm - Midnight
All Guests Welcome....COME THIRTY!
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Nothing like lighting the fuse on some explosive snocross racing action as the Monster/Slednecks Invasion Tour plays to a HUGE crowd in Minnesota 
Photo of Paul Thacker courtesy of Jeff Nemecek
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 9, 2009) – The Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour – taking freestyle snowmobile antics to the masses – hit full stride this past weekend at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway, lighting the fuse on what would become an explosive weekend of racing action on the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series.
The fourth stop for the Invasion Tour, fueled of course by Monster Energy, played to its largest crowd of the year as more than 4,000 people packed the Brainerd stands for Friday’s show that featured Monster Energy/Slednecks athletes Paul Thacker, Sam Rogers, Jeff Mullins, Steve Martin and Matt Tingstad.
“Everybody was on plane, all the riders were dialed, promoters built us a great landing area, the whole set up was just money – Monster green money,” said Thacker. “The Brainerd venue was spectacular. They had us set up right in the middle by the stands, right on the drag strip. People were stoked and could see all the action real well. Temps were mild, but that doesn’t really make a difference in Minnesota. You fire up a sled and people come from all over to check it out in that part of the country.”
While Monster Energy flowed freely in the pro pit area and Invasion Tour stars signed posters and handed out all sorts of swag, the winds began to kick up coming across the plains on account of the warm (45-degrees) temperatures. But rather than postpone or cancel the show, all five Monster Energy-backed Invasion Tour riders decided to step up and let ‘er rip, despite the 30 mph tailwind at their backs as they sailed – literally – off the massive Monster Energy/Slednecks jump.
The crash test dummy to hit it first was, of course, Thacker, who promptly flew the landing area and landed on flat – from four stories off the ground. WHAMMO! Cool that Thacker wasn’t hurt and his sled was still running. And just to show that was the case, the pulled a back flip – grabbing a little bit less throttle this time. “We walked it off and I went 100 feet on a 70-foot jump,” said Thacker of his first run. “I saw my career flash before my eyes for like the millionth time and somehow I was able to ride away and not hurt myself too bad.”
Wind is a crucial thing for freestyle snowmobiles. Unlike a dirt bike, the Invasion Tour guys say that the snowmobile actually acts like a kite when it’s in the air. Only instead of holding a string and flying it, it’s like you’re laying on the kite itself. “When you’re standing on the ground and it’s windy and we’re 40-plus feet in the air, it’s real windy up there,” said Thacker. “So when you leave the ramp you can’t really control what the sled’s doing. It’s just like a big kite and pretty much goes wherever it wants.”
Fortunately everyone stomped their landings and the crowd came away from the event blown away by the Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour guys and what turned out to be the biggest show of the year so far on the ACSS. Next up is this weekend’s Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour stop in Farmington, N.Y. For more information on the Invasion Tour and ACSS stops, link to: www.slednecks.com and http://www.isocracing.com/
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it FSX, 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. Thacker and the boyz on the Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy’s Hibbert Once Again Sweeps Pro Super Stock & Pro Open @ AMSOIL Snocross Tour Hibbert runs record to 8-0 in Pro Super Stock & Pro Open racing, but according to his preseason plans is now calling it quits on the snow to focus on MX  
Photos courtesy of Jeff Nemecek
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 9, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert has been The Man racing snowmobiles this winter, highlighting his third-consecutive ESPN Winter X Games SnoCross gold medal with yet another Pro Super Stock and Pro Open class sweep – the last of which came this past weekend at round five of the 2009 AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS) held at Brainerd International Raceway, Minn.
Hibbert was again dominant, having to come from behind in Saturday’s Pro Super Stock race, then leading the event’s final contest – the Pro Open – from early on to the finish in securing his eighth-straight win of the season vs. zero defeats.
With four races remaining on the schedule, instead of trying to run the ACSS table – ala Ricky Carmichael in MX – Hibbert says he’s sticking to his plan of bowing out and focusing on training for the upcoming Outdoor National MX season.
“Our plan from the beginning was to only race four ACSS rounds,” said Hibbert of the eight total ’09 ACSS rounds. “We were going to pick up on the Monster Energy Supercross tour, but that didn’t come together because they started the season with an ESX (Eastern Regional Supercross Lites) on the same weekend as Winter X. So we’re going to head south and take advantage of some extended training time to get ready for the Nationals.”
Once in Texas Hibbert will connect with buddy Andrew Short and train with him a bit before he gets over to Mississippi to train with Kevin Windham.
Also noteworthy before he packs up his sled in favor of his dirt bike is the effort Hibbert’s put up to raise money for his injured buddy, fellow snocross racer Blair Morgan. Hibbert’s “Operation Inspiration 7c” was key in raising some funds and keeping everyone stoked on helping Morgan.
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 Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Weimer wins again in WSX Lites, takes over points lead, teammate Morais’ 2nd; Monster/Kawi’s RV wads ‘er up good 
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 9, 2009) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer won his second-straight WSX Lites main event, this past weekend topping teammate Ryan Morais and KTM’s Justin Brayton in an exciting back-and-forth final that went right down to the last corner to decide the victor at the third and final installment of the Anaheim (Calif.) supercross trilogy, round six of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.
With the win Weimer, who was trailing the overall WSX title chase by four points heading into Anaheim 3, has wrestled the point lead away from rival Ryan Dungey. As it stands, after five rounds of WSX action, Weimer leads Dungey by three points, 113-110, for the overall title with Morais close by in 3rd place overall (102 points).
Both Weimer and Morais wound up in the second heat race and easily transferred to the main in the soft conditions at Angel Stadium, finishing 1-2, respectively. Then when the gate dropped on the main, track conditions had worsened a bit due to the rain. Both Weimer and Morais played it fast and smart on the start, coming out up front while Dungey hit the deck while trying to squeeze through a tight inside line.
By the end if the first lap Weimer and Morais were 2-3 behind then-leader Brayton – and closing. The normally wide-open Anaheim track became pretty much one-lined and deferring would put you out in the slick stuff where traction became chancy at best. Roughly through the midway point of the 15-lap contest Weimer and Brayton would go toe-to-toe in one of the better WSX battles of the season, with Weimer making the lead stick for good by lap nine. But the checkers would not be a formality at that point as Morais put on a spectacular bid for Weimer’s top spot with a last-turn blitz that will no doubt end up on the season-ending highlight film.
“I got stuck behind a lapper and just had to go for it and tripled into the last turn and landed on the Tuff Blocks,” said Morais of his bid for the win.
Weimer played it cool, though, and blasted through the checkers, igniting the 1st place flames from atop the giant Monster Energy cans that flank the finish line.
“The track was not real, real muddy, but real difficult,” said Weimer of the conditions. “You had to keep an open mind.” And when asked of his new hold on the WSX points lead, Weimer added: “We’re at the halfway point, so this was important. But there’s a lot of racing left.”
In the SX class Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto suffered a scary get-off in his heat race, pile driving himself into the face of a jump after cross-rutting and high siding his KX450F moments before. A bit dazed and blurry-eyed, Villopoto made an attempt to answer the bell in the LCQ, but went down in the same section of the track and ended up calling it a night.
“I hit my head pretty hard in the heat race crash,” said Villopoto. “I was pretty dingy, and the peripheral vision in my right eye was all blurry. I got checked out by the doctors at the track and I had to at least get out there to see if I could qualify. When I tipped over I knew I wasn’t gonna make it anyway, so I pulled it in to play it safe.” Villopoto added a couple hours later that his vision was “all cleared up” and he’ll be racing San Diego this weekend.
So the top performer in the SX class for Monster Energy at Anaheim 3 was the fast-rising Josh Hill (Yamaha). The sophomore SX class racer has been climbing up the final standings with consistently fast performances as of late, this past weekend scoring another top ten finish (8th) and moving to within a few points of a top ten overall spot in the standings.
“We made few bike adjustments that seemed to work out real well,” said Hill, who transferred to the main with a 6th place finish in the first heat race. “I feel like I’m right at breaking into the top five.” Note: Hill got together with Chad Reed on the first lap of the SX main, crashed, and was still able to make it back to 8th!
Also scoring a top ten finish in the premier SX class was Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry. The Floridian veteran scored a 5th place finish in the first heat race to make the main, then overcame a back-of-the-pack start to make his way into the top ten (10th) by the end of the race. Note: Ferry leads Hill by three points, 67-64, for 10th place overall in the SX class standings.
The final two Monster Energy-backed racers to make the SX main event – a task in itself considering the conditions – were Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter (14th) and Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing’s Nick Wey (15th).
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed Monster Energy AMA Supercross racers is round seven of the series at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium this Saturday, Feb. 14.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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 guys running the Monster Energy Supercross series dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Weimer wins again in WSX Lites, takes over points lead, teammate Morais’ 2nd; Monster/Kawi’s RV wads ‘er up good 
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 9, 2009) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer won his second-straight WSX Lites main event, this past weekend topping teammate Ryan Morais and KTM’s Justin Brayton in an exciting back-and-forth final that went right down to the last corner to decide the victor at the third and final installment of the Anaheim (Calif.) supercross trilogy, round six of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.
With the win Weimer, who was trailing the overall WSX title chase by four points heading into Anaheim 3, has wrestled the point lead away from rival Ryan Dungey. As it stands, after five rounds of WSX action, Weimer leads Dungey by three points, 113-110, for the overall title with Morais close by in 3rd place overall (102 points).
Both Weimer and Morais wound up in the second heat race and easily transferred to the main in the soft conditions at Angel Stadium, finishing 1-2, respectively. Then when the gate dropped on the main, track conditions had worsened a bit due to the rain. Both Weimer and Morais played it fast and smart on the start, coming out up front while Dungey hit the deck while trying to squeeze through a tight inside line.
By the end if the first lap Weimer and Morais were 2-3 behind then-leader Brayton – and closing. The normally wide-open Anaheim track became pretty much one-lined and deferring would put you out in the slick stuff where traction became chancy at best. Roughly through the midway point of the 15-lap contest Weimer and Brayton would go toe-to-toe in one of the better WSX battles of the season, with Weimer making the lead stick for good by lap nine. But the checkers would not be a formality at that point as Morais put on a spectacular bid for Weimer’s top spot with a last-turn blitz that will no doubt end up on the season-ending highlight film.
“I got stuck behind a lapper and just had to go for it and tripled into the last turn and landed on the Tuff Blocks,” said Morais of his bid for the win.
Weimer played it cool, though, and blasted through the checkers, igniting the 1st place flames from atop the giant Monster Energy cans that flank the finish line.
“The track was not real, real muddy, but real difficult,” said Weimer of the conditions. “You had to keep an open mind.” And when asked of his new hold on the WSX points lead, Weimer added: “We’re at the halfway point, so this was important. But there’s a lot of racing left.”
In the SX class Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto suffered a scary get-off in his heat race, pile driving himself into the face of a jump after cross-rutting and high siding his KX450F moments before. A bit dazed and blurry-eyed, Villopoto made an attempt to answer the bell in the LCQ, but went down in the same section of the track and ended up calling it a night.
“I hit my head pretty hard in the heat race crash,” said Villopoto. “I was pretty dingy, and the peripheral vision in my right eye was all blurry. I got checked out by the doctors at the track and I had to at least get out there to see if I could qualify. When I tipped over I knew I wasn’t gonna make it anyway, so I pulled it in to play it safe.” Villopoto added a couple hours later that his vision was “all cleared up” and he’ll be racing San Diego this weekend.
So the top performer in the SX class for Monster Energy at Anaheim 3 was the fast-rising Josh Hill (Yamaha). The sophomore SX class racer has been climbing up the final standings with consistently fast performances as of late, this past weekend scoring another top ten finish (8th) and moving to within a few points of a top ten overall spot in the standings.
“We made few bike adjustments that seemed to work out real well,” said Hill, who transferred to the main with a 6th place finish in the first heat race. “I feel like I’m right at breaking into the top five.” Note: Hill got together with Chad Reed on the first lap of the SX main, crashed, and was still able to make it back to 8th!
Also scoring a top ten finish in the premier SX class was Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry. The Floridian veteran scored a 5th place finish in the first heat race to make the main, then overcame a back-of-the-pack start to make his way into the top ten (10th) by the end of the race. Note: Ferry leads Hill by three points, 67-64, for 10th place overall in the SX class standings.
The final two Monster Energy-backed racers to make the SX main event – a task in itself considering the conditions – were Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter (14th) and Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing’s Nick Wey (15th).
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed Monster Energy AMA Supercross racers is round seven of the series at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium this Saturday, Feb. 14.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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 guys running the Monster Energy Supercross series dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Holland’s up at Mt. Baker getting ready for the Legendary Baker Banked Slalom, but finds enough cell reception to talk with ESPN’s Chris Palmer for a few
Photo courtesy of Drew Ruiz, Holland racing the Monster Energy MX Crossover @ Hangtown
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 5 , 2009) – Monster Army General Nate “Hollandass” Holland is the subject of an interview on ESPN.com and your orders are to go check it out right now:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3887018
The four-time ESPN Winter X Games boardercross gold medalist and winner of this year’s opening U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix round, Holland opens up to Palmer on everything from racing snowboards to playing high school football. So go read up, then get out and ride!
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it BDX, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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. Nate Holland digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Ask Robby Gordon what he’s doing on the weekend – pretty much any weekend – and you can predict the answer: racing. Gordon is one of the busiest racecar drivers in the United States, and one of the most versatile. The six-time off-road champion is also a popular figure on the NASCAR circuit, and he’s a familiar face at the Indianapolis 500, too. With Gordon in competition more than forty weekends a year, you might not know where to find him on any given Sunday, but you can be sure of what he’ll be doing.
READ MORELast Month's Mission Winner Thank you to everyone who promoted the Monster Army during the Monster Army Recruitment Draft. We have over 1,000 Digital Stickers embedded all around the web. Special thanks goes out to the following recruiters who did an exceptional job bringing new Army Reserves to the site: Matthew Carlise
Ollie Cohen
Shane Coutu
Oshea Guevara
James Fairchild
Joshua Lloyd
Matt Ness
Nate Lotinsky
David Baiori Jr.
JTS84life This Month's Mission Get those camera's out and start filming. This General's Mission is all about promoting the Army through a commercial. Don't worry about making it too fancy, all we want is to see you pushing Monster! Get creative--the winning Commercial will be featured in our Video Bank as well as win some of Robby's gear. Good luck Army! 
Featured Solider Spotlight This month's Soldier Spotlight is Zach Bell, a Motocross rider from Tallahassee, FL.
Check out videos and more photos of Zach HERE.
 Featured Monster Army Gear Monograma
Normal Price: $25.00
Monster Army Price: $13.00 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 Have you tried our new Energy Shot HITMAN? Go pick one up and submit your feedback HERE
2009 Sponsorship
The 2009 sponsorship season is here! For those of you who haven't applied yet, please do so HERE. Those that have already re-applied and are waiting for a response, please be patient. We have over 6,000 applications for sponsorship. If you're trying to apply or re-apply and it's saying you already have a pending application, check your SAVED APPLICATIONS. Go to Sponsorship--Applications--Saved. |       | |
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All for a wonderful cause as the auctioned gear Hibbert wore while winning last year’s Winter X SnoCross gold medal tops a McGrath jersey, $1300 to $1025!
Photo courtesy of Cameron Baird
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 6, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert stepped up to help out a fellow snocross racer yesterday, donating the gear (pictured) he wore while winning a second-consecutive ESPN Winter X Games SnoCross gold medal at X Games 12 in Aspen, Colo., last year – helping out AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series (ACSS) racer Mike Schultz.
The Monster Energy M-claw emblazoned Castle X Racewear Hibbert’s help make famous while standing atop the Winter X Games’ SnoCross podium drew a whopping $1,300 in auction yesterday, with all of it going to Schultz, who lost a leg in a racing accident earlier this season. Other notable items auctioned included a motocross jersey from Monster Energy’s Jeremy “Showtime” McGrath that fetched an impressive $1,025.
“It's awesome to be able to help out and support other racers when they need help,” said Hibbert of this worthy cause. “When you're racing every weekend, it gets to be like a big family. Everyone needs support at some point in their career so I'm glad I could be there for Mike and his wife, Sara.”
The benefit for Schultz kicks off a weekend of ACSS racing this weekend in Brainerd, Minn., in which Hibbert has yet to lose a race this season. Hibbert’s 12-0 in Pro Stock and Pro Open qualifiers and main events, riding high, but understanding it’s tough to see a fellow rider dealt such a hard blow. He was stoked to see the snowmobile industry turn out in BIG numbers in order to help out.
“I've raced against Mike for about ten years. I don't know him really well personally, but the time I've spent with him and around him, it's clear that he's a great person,” said Hibbert. “The benefit was packed last night. He has obviously touched a lot of people.”
Another cause Hibbert is helping with is that of buddy Blair Morgan. The all-time winningest X Games SnoCross racer was injured in a supercross accident this past fall in Montreal and Hibbert is in the forefront of seeing to it Morgan is taken care of by his fellow snocross/MX athletes.
“The Operation Inspiration 7c project has been huge,” said Hibbert. “I donated one of my helmets with the Inspiration 7c logo on it to be auctioned. It went over really well and a lot of people are stepping up to help. I've raced against Blair my entire career and he's a good friend.”
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it snocross, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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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The defending AMA Arenacross champ won his first race of the ’09 season this past weekend and is looking to reel in points leader Gibson in Tulsa on Saturday
By Pat Schutte
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 5, 2009) – Defending AMA Arenacross champion, Monster Energy’s Chad Johnson (Cernic’s/Kawasaki), scored his first race win of the 2009 AX season this past weekend in Greensboro, N.C., battling with current series points leader Jeff Gibson hard on the final lap to score the win and move into 3rd place in the overall AX class standings.
The 26-year-old Rhinelander, Wis., native, who won the AMA Arenacross title in 2005-’06 as well as last year, got off to a rough start this year and finds himself some 45 points behind Gibson for 1st place overall in the premier class standings (176-131). Up to Greensboro Gibson had recorded three-straight wins, while Johnson’s results were inconsistent. Add to the fact his Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki teammate Kelly Smith was sidelined with a broken leg (which occurred at the second round in Baltimore, Md.), and things were rough all over for Monster Energy’s sole AMA Arenacross team.
But that all changed this past weekend in Greensboro. And if Chad Johnson has his say, there’ll be a lot more winning going on for the M-claw logo beginning this weekend in Tulsa, Okla.
Monster Energy caught up with its Monster Army General from the arenacross side of things and got the lowdown on what’s been happening and what it’s going to take to reclaim that No. 1 plate of his for 2010.
Monster Energy: How’s the defending AX champ been doing? Wife, kids good – things moving right along down in Texas?
Chad Johnson: “Yeah, family’s good. Staying busy and my wife and two girls are having fun, enjoying the warm weather down here in Texas (where Chad stays and trains during AX season).”
Monster Energy: Are you missing the Wisconsin winters at all?
Chad Johnson: “Uh, no. (laughter) I don’t miss the snow at all.”
Monster Energy: Didn’t you get out and ride snowmobiles much?
Chad Johnson: “I did as kid, yeah. Getting out on the trails and riding and stuff was fun. But as far as any racing goes, no, never took it to that level.”
Monster Energy: Though we can’t say the same for your partner in crime on Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki (Smith, who was replace by Codi Adams), it sounds like you’ve been pretty healthy this year. At least a lot better than some of the injuries you’ve had to put up with in the past.
Chad Johnson: “Overall I’ve been pretty healthy, knock on wood. Came down to Texas about three months before the season started and got a personal trainer for three days a week, been riding seven days a week. So yeah, things are good with all that.”
Monster Energy: You got off to a bit of a rough start. Everything dialed in now?
Chad Johnson: “Yeah, you know, we didn’t have the start we wanted. But everything has been moving forward lately and that’s all that matters. Every weekend we’re making further gains and getting further ahead and finally got ourselves a win this past weekend. The bike (KX250F) is working awesome now and hopefully we can continue to do what we can to gain points every weekend.”
Monster Energy: How’s things been with AX this year? They cut the schedule in half, did that effect you much? Crowds been good despite the economy?
Chad Johnson: “Crowds have been descent. We’ve had a couple nights where they haven’t been the greatest, then a couple nights where they’ve sold out. And with the things the way they are with the economy and all, me and a lot of the other guys racing are thankful we still have jobs, be able to do what we do in the winter time. They cut the series a lot and they’ve got some of the single night events now, but they upped the purse on those single night events for us – which was nice. But like I said, we’re all happy we’re out there working in this bad economy.”
Monster Energy: There’s a couple new guys up front in the points (Gibson and Nathan Skaggs). Seems kind of strange not to see yourself, Kelly Smith, Josh Demuth, Danny Smith and Brock Sellards right up there in the points. Is there kind of a changing-of-the-guard in the sport going on?
Chad Johnson: “You know, there’s definitely some new riders coming in. Gibson’s been around for a while. In fact, he was racing the first half of the season, then going to supercross the year I started racing arenacross. And I remember the half season he ran he was real fast then as well. No surprise that when he came back this year he was going to be running fast and up front. He gets good starts and is a strong, consistent rider. And Nathan Skaggs rode real well last year, had some good showings, got some good starts and was riding consistent for 25 laps.”
Monster Energy: So the key this year on the AX tour has been the starts?
Chad Johnson: “Arenacross is always tight, but it almost seems this year that there’s less passing than ever going on. The only passing going on is when you really put it in there, make a good block pass. So you’ve really got to be aggressive if you’re not getting good starts – and I’ve never been famous for my good starts.”
Monster Energy: You won Greensboro and are now up on the overall AX class podium in 3rd place, just six points back of Nathan Skaggs for 2nd – but 45 points behind series leader Jeff Gibson. In your years racing AX, has anybody ever made up 45 points at this point of the season, with six races to go?
Chad Johnson: “You know, back in the day when it was two-night events for 17, 18 rounds with two main events each night – 45 points wasn’t very much. Now you’ve only got single nighters, and only three double nighters left (this season), I mean 45 points is a lot. He’s (Gibson) got a pretty nice points lead. If he stays consistent, keeps getting good starts and rides anywhere within the top five, he’s pretty much not going to be able to be caught. But he’s been riding good this whole season, so hopefully I can maybe keep the pressure on him, maybe throw his starts off or something. Just put my head down and try to win some races.”
Monster Energy: What’s the strategy won winning your title back? Gibson’s a tough-assed veteran. Without giving away too much, can you tell the Monster Army soldiers what plan of attack you have beginning this weekend at the new venue in Tulsa?
Chad Johnson: “My best game plan is to just try and get into his head – that’s about my only chance right now is to be able to run him down, beat him a couple races and hopefully get in his head enough that it screws his starts up and makes him ride not quite as consistent. But like I said, he’s been around for a long time and it’s not going to be an easy task. Rattling a guy with a 45-point lead with six rounds to go is gonna be hard.”
Monster Energy: Speaking of which, have you ever raced AX in Tulsa? Probably get some of the crowd that used to race the Lazy E in Guthrie!
Chad Johnson: “Yeah, I’d think so. I’ve never raced in Tulsa so I don’t know what kind of crowd they’re gonna draw. The Lazy E crowd was always huge. That place was sold out EVERY time we raced there. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Lazy E was such a good track and always great racing and the crowd just loved it, so hopefully that transfers over to this new place in Tulsa.”
Monster Energy: You going to race supercross after the AX season’s over?
Chad Johnson: “I do not have any plans as of right now to race supercross. Just trying to get through arenacross here, put up the best results we can and see what comes about. If something comes about, great, if not I guess I’m going to go back to work the 9-5 job. Whatever it takes to pay the bills.” Note: Johnson’s family owns a concrete company in Wisconsin and he works there during the summer when he’s not racing.
Monster Energy: So wake up early and pound stakes, build forms and pour concrete all summer long - you’ve gotta have a fridge full of Monsters to handle that!
Chad Johnson: “You know it. I’m all about the Original Monster!”
Monster Energy: Right on, Chad. Good talking to you, man. And good luck this weekend in Tulsa. Keep the pressure on Gibson!
Chad Johnson: “For sure. And thanks to everyone at Monster for backing the Cernic’s/Kawasaki team this year. I see more kids running Monster stuff at the races that ever.”
Next up for Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson is the Tulsa (Okla.) round of AMA Arenacross at the BOK Center, Feb. 7.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it AX, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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. Chad Johnson digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster’s Rob Dyrdek Featured in New Film which Raises the BarBy Robert Brink
Last week, we teased you with a bit about Rob Dyrdek and his upcoming part in Alien Workshop’s Mind Field video… remember that? Good. Well, Monster was there and so was everyone and anyone who’s someone in the skateboarding industry. Royce Hall at UCLA was packed and the anticipation prior to the premiere was incredible. The entire Alien team was in the house and the theater was abuzz. As the lights dimmed the crowd went wild. I’d venture to guess a tear or two was even shed as Mind Field was permanently burning itself into the psyche of everyone who laid eyes on it. Keep in mind, it’s been nearly a decade since the last Alien film and there are plenty of die-hard fans out there who have been waiting a long time for this.
About halfway through, Dyrdek’s part blessed the screen and how quickly everyone remembered that Rob is the OG Alien team rider. His roots with the Workshop are deep and it’s obvious throughout his part. New tricks, old tricks, and all-terrain ripping, it would be hard to imagine Alien, or Mind Field, without Rob being a part of it. You won’t be disappointed.
Part after part after part, the video just gets better. Hell, even without any skateboarding, Mind Field would be a beautiful film. A new standard has been set in the realm of skateboarding videos, and this may be the very first taste of how Lakai’s Fully Flared is not the end all be all of skateboarding videos… but maybe just the beginning. Mind Field has just raised the bar again. It’s hard to pick a favorite part… to each their own. Jake Johnson, Arto Saari and Heath Kirchart all killed it, but ours is Rob’s for sure. Perhaps we’re a little biased though. Congrats, Rob, now carry on with the rest of your mission for global domination!
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Jimmy LaRiche tops round one winner, Monster Energy’s Harley Clifford, at round two in Port Macquarie; LaRiche & Clifford are now tied for the o/a lead while Monster Energy’s Melissa Marquardt leads the Pro Women’s division
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 4, 2009) – Monster Energy athletes top the charts at the 2009 Air Nautiques Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding, taking top honors at the first two rounds of both the Pro Men’s and Pro Women’s divisions of the premier wakeboard competition series down under and setting up a Monster Energy head-to-head duel at this weekend’s final round in Brisbane.
This past weekend Monster Energy’s Jimmy LaRiche won the Stoney Park stop in Port Macquarie, beating out Monster Energy’s newly-signed Harley Clifford – who won the opening round the previous weekend.
“It’s great to have Harley as part of the Monster Energy wake team,” said LaRiche. “We’re tied for 1st going into the third and final round of the Australian tour, so it’s going to be a great all-Monster finals.”
Monster Energy’s Melissa Marquardt has been on it as well, winning the first round of the Aussie Pro Tour of Wakeboarding’s Pro Women’s division, then placing 2nd this past weekend at Stoney Park. Marquardt is leading her division with, like the Pro Men, one round remaining.
“This is the best I have ridden in quite a while, in contests anyway,” said Marquardt. “I can’t wait for the final stop. I really want to finish strong and come back to the U.S. with some hardware.”
The third and final stop of the Air Nautiques Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding goes off in Nudgee, Brisbane, QLD, this weekend (Feb. 6-7).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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. Our pro wakeboarders dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Holland backs up his recent Winter X Games Boardercross gold medal with a win at the opening round of the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix at Boreal Resort
 
Photos courtesy of: U.S. Snowboarding
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 4 , 2009) – They don’t call him “Hollandass” for nothing. Monster Energy boardercross racer Nate Holland is the fastest thing going on one board these days, this past weekend backing up his fourth-consecutive ESPN Winter X Games gold medal with a win at the opening round of the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix’s Visa Snowboardcross Championship Series at Boreal Resort in Truckee, Calif.
Holland, who topped a field that included X Games medalist Graham Watanabe (silver), Nick Baumgartner and Seth Wescott, was pumped with his efforts – especially considering the pressure he’d been putting on himself after winning Winter X in the days leading up to the Boreal BDX opener.
“I was claiming encore performance from X Games all week long to myself, telling myself that everybody is going to expect a lot out of me,” said Holland, a local Truckee, Calif., native. “I’m stoked to have won and I’m proud to have everyone come out to watch. It was a good showing and I’m just stoked.”
Holland, easily on of the favorites heading into next winter’s qualifiers for the U.S. Snowboard Team as a representative at the Vancouver, B.C., Winter Olympic Games, looks to parlay his successes at this point of the competition season into another podium spot – and hopefully up top – at this weekend’s Legendary Baker Banked Slalom at Mt. Baker, Wash.
“I know I’m riding well, so it’s not surprising to me,” said Holland of his successes as of late. “I’m on a roll now, so I’m just going to ride this one out as hard and fast as I can.” Note: Holland has been on the podium twice at Baker, scoring 3rd place finishes in both 2005 and 2007.
The second and final stop for U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix’s Visa Snowboardcross Championship Series is at Sunday River (Maine), Feb. 27.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it BDX, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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. Nate Holland digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Jimmy LaRiche tops round one winner, Monster Energy’s Harley Clifford, at round two in Port Macquarie; LaRiche & Clifford are now tied for the o/a lead while Monster Energy’s Melissa Marquardt leads the Pro Women’s division
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 4, 2009) – Monster Energy athletes top the charts at the 2009 Air Nautiques Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding, taking top honors at the first two rounds of both the Pro Men’s and Pro Women’s divisions of the premier wakeboard competition series down under and setting up a Monster Energy head-to-head duel at this weekend’s final round in Brisbane.
 
This past weekend Monster Energy’s Jimmy LaRiche won the Stoney Park stop in Port Macquarie, beating out Monster Energy’s newly-signed Harley Clifford – who won the opening round the previous weekend. 
“It’s great to have Harley as part of the Monster Energy wake team,” said LaRiche. “We’re tied for 1st going into the third and final round of the Australian tour, so it’s going to be a great all-Monster finals.”
Monster Energy’s Melissa Marquardt has been on it as well, winning the first round of the Aussie Pro Tour of Wakeboarding’s Pro Women’s division, then placing 2nd this past weekend at Stoney Park. Marquardt is leading her division with, like the Pro Men, one round remaining.
“This is the best I have ridden in quite a while, in contests anyway,” said Marquardt. “I can’t wait for the final stop. I really want to finish strong and come back to the U.S. with some hardware.”
The third and final stop of the Air Nautiques Australian Pro Tour of Wakeboarding goes off in Nudgee, Brisbane, QLD, this weekend (Feb. 6-7).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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. Our pro wakeboarders dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Check out this video of Monster Army General PLG!
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Frenchman catapults into freeskiing stratosphere with his upset Winter X win in Aspen, then signs with Monster Energy the following week in Park City, Utah 
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 2, 2009) – Something’s gotta keep Xavier Bertoni alert during this whirlwind tour of World Cup competitions, big mountain freeski filming sessions and ESPN Winter X Games global PR efforts following his recent upset X Games Men’s Ski SuperPipe win at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colo. And that something will be a nice big can of Original Monster Energy, effective immediately.
The current World Cup SuperPipe points leader, Bertoni aligned himself with Monster Energy’s army of elite skiers this past weekend just prior to capturing a 2nd place podium spot at the Park City, Utah, World Cup stop where he elevated his overall points lead in the worldwide series.
“I like Monster a lot. Drink it anyways, so it was nice when they approached me as a sponsor,” said Bertoni in pretty good English. “I was like ‘This sounds good to me!’”
The 20-year-old switch specialist from La Clusaz, France, scored gold two weeks ago at Winter X 13 – only his second Winter X competition (14th in ’08) – in an upset but well-deserved win over Tanner Hall. Bertoni, who hails from the same French ski area as freeski greats Candide Thovex (’03 Winter X SuperPipe champ) and Laurent Favre, first hit the ski industry radar in 2007 when he won the New Zealand Freeski Open.
Bertoni joins a freeski lineup that includes Monster Army Generals Peter Olenick, Colby West and Jossi Wells.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it freeski, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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. Xavier Bertoni digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Mirra’s best pro rally finish to date comes in the cold and snow of Atlanta, Mich., at the Sno*Drift Rally; Monster Energy teammate Ken Block not so fortunate  
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 2 , 2009) – Monster Energy’s BMX legend-turned-rally racer Dave Mirra scored a career-best 6th place finish in the premier Super Production class – in an Open class car - this past weekend on the snow and ice-covered roads of northern Michigan, the 2009 Rally American Championship’s season opener.
Mirra’s effort in his 2008 model Open class Subaru Impreza was akin to a supercross Lites class racer placing 6th in a premier Supercross class main event against the more powerful SX class bikes.
“I felt like at Sno*Drift things really started to click for me in the car with my driving,” said Mirra. “I'm driving on the notes and listening to my co-driver (Derek Ringer) better now. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the year. I still have so much to learn, but I feel like now its all coming together and my speed is really picking up.”
Mirra’s Monster Energy teammate on the Vermont SportsCar Subaru team didn’t fair quite as well. Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino had won the first stage and were battling for the lead with Travis Pastrana when Block spun his Subaru Impreza WRX STI and had something go wrong by the time they got to the next stage point.
“We had a quick spin where we stayed on the road and ended up pointing in the right direction, we hardly lost any time,” explained Block. “Then before the start of the next stage we checked the car and realized the front bumper was missing, we didn't think it was anything major, but either something must have been damaged or snow became built up around the radiator causing the engine to overheat.”
So that would be it at the Sno*Drift Rally for last year’s Rally America runner-up, Block.
Also noteworthy are the reports out of the Vermont SportsCar camp pointing to Mirra being outfitted to race the Super Production class Subaru Impreza WRX STI – same car as Block and Pastrana - beginning at the next Rally America stop, the 100 Acre Wood Rally in Salem, Mo. (Feb. 27-28).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it rally, SX, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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. Ken Block & Dave Mirra digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Weimer’s back on the winner’s stand, taking second WSX Lites win of 2009; Monster/Kawi’s RV podiums again in SX
CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 2 , 2009) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer won his second WSX Lites main event of the season, this past Saturday leading the San Francisco AT&T Park round from start to finish in taking the checkers and moving to within four points 92-88, of WSX overall points leader Ryan Dungey. And in the premier SX class main event it was Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto racing to his second-straight podium finish with a well-deserved 3rd versus the world’s top supercross racers on the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, tour.
Weimer raced like he had something to prove this past weekend – and he did considering the last WSX round where he could have won (Phoenix), only to have a momentary lapse in concentration put him to the ground and allowed Dungey to get past for the win. Those tables were turned a bit in Saturday’s main event when Dungey hit the deck as he made contact with Weimer in a pass attempt in a bowl turn and Weimer stood his ground and came out on two wheels.
“He (Dungey) caught up, got right up on me and went for the pass,” explained Weimer. “I did what I had to and he went down.”
Weimer’s victory at AT&T Park, began on a high note when he won the second heat race to transfer to the main. And though his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Ryan Morais didn’t fair quite as well in the Lites main event results (5th), his effort was no less spectacular as Morais came from well outside the top ten early in the race to get up to 9th by lap five, then blitzed his way to 5th soon thereafter. But Morais, Dungey and Trey Canard (the S.F. Lites podium) had built too big of a lead for Morais to overcome and he had to be content with his 5th place points.
So with Dungey leading and Weimer in 2nd overall, Morais is still well within striking distance as the WSX hits the halfway point of the season – 3rd place overall just eight points back of Weimer.
“I had some difficulty at the start and that’s what did it,” said Morais, who had three straight WSX podium finishes coming into San Francisco. “My best lap times came in traffic and I was pumped I could make it back to the top five. But the competition is just too fast to make up that much time on those guys and I need to be up in the top five at the start in order to have a chance at the win at the end.”
In the SX class is was again Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Villopoto that has the industry really paying attention. The multi-time Lites MX champ is truly starting to reach his stride in terms of ability and expectations – and it showed quite dramatically at San Francisco as he kept up with two-time Monster Energy Supercross champion Chad Reed throughout the entire race.
“I got a descent start and was able to get on Chad’s back wheel – stayed there the entire 20 laps. And that’s my goal, to race with Chad and James (Stewart) every weekend,” said Villopoto, who’s currently 4th overall in SX class points, seven points back of Josh Grant for the third and final podium spot (95-88).
Villopoto’s Monster Energy/Kawasaki teammate Tim Ferry had rough go of it at San Francisco. The veteran was knocked over in his heat race and then run over by fellow racers Josh Summey and Andrew Short. Ferry got up and continued racing, even came back for the LCQ. But in the end he didn’t have it for the main and came away from the event with a rare zero point weekend.
“We didn’t get bumped around in the standings too much, but I don’t want to be involved in a situation like that again,” said Ferry, who was banged up a bit in the mishap. “Those things can happen in racing. We’ve got it out of the way and look forward to racing Anaheim again here this weekend.” Note: Ferry’s best finish of the year so far came at the Anaheim 1 round (4th).
Also running well in the SX class under the Monster Energy banner was Josh Hill (Yamaha). The sophomore SX class racer scored a season-best 7th place finish after starting outside the top ten and racing aggressively in getting past factory racers Ivan Tedesco and Mike Alessi for the 7th place finish. With 51 points Hill is just four points back of Davi Millsaps for a top ten position in the overall SX class standings.
Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter was the only other Monster Energy-backed racer to make the SX class main, doing so with an 8th place transfer spot out of the second heat race. In the main Carpenter got caught up at the start and was running in 19th place when he began his charge, working his way up into the top 15 by lap seven. A mishap at the midway point of the race would relegate the New Yorker back to 19th, then eventually out of the contest. Carpenter remains in 13th place in the overall SX class standings, just one point behind Heath Voss (40-39) for the Top Privateer award (which Carpenter won last year).
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed Monster Energy AMA Supercross racers is round six of the series at Anaheim’s (Calif.) Angel Stadium this Saturday, Feb. 7.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, 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 guys running the Monster Energy Supercross series dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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JIBBING-FOR-JACKSONS - Best Tricks Jam Session, February 14, 2009 a ski & snowboard contest where every worthy trick gets paid
[Squaw Valley USA] January 28, 2009- Squaw Valley USA announced today that Monster Energy has been named the official energy drink sponsor of Squaw Valley USA and the Village at Squaw Valley USA. As the resort’s exclusive energy drink sponsor, Monster Energy will have a presence throughout the mountain including title sponsorship of Squaw Valley’s biggest terrain park, the Monster Park at Riviera.
On Saturday, February 14, Monster Energy presents “Jibbing-for-Jacksons” the first event in a terrain park contest series, taking place on lower Exhibition under the lights.
The first Jibbing-for-Jacksons is a rail/slopestyle contest in which the all-new Monster Energy terrain park feature will be unveiled and central to the competition setup. The contest is open to 50 skiers and 50 snowboarders, male and female (100 total competitors). The contest format for Jibbing for Jacksons is a Best Tricks Jam Session which has no losers, but many, many winners. Each time a judge sees a skier or rider stomp a trick worthy of a “Jackson,” Monster officials will hand the competitor a $20 bill.
Jibbing-for-Jacksons is open to skiers and riders of all ages and talents and consists of both men’s and women’s ski and snowboard divisions. The first 50 skiers and first 50 snowboarders to register will make up the completion pool. Registration is at 4 pm, practice starts at 5 pm, and the competition will begin shortly after. If time allows a special will follow the competion.
Being that Jibbing-for-Jacksons is a night contest held on Searchlight (on lower Exhibition), competitors and spectators can rock out under the lights to tunes spun from a slopeside DJ booth. Jibbing for Jacksons is free for spectators (no lift ticket necessary). Entry fee for all riders is $20 (it's about the Jacksons) and helmets are mandatory. Athletes under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at registration to sign a liability release form.
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ZACH BELL
 
SPORT: MOTO
LOCATION: CAIRO, GA
CHECK OUT HIS PROFILE
Monster Army: Where do you live?
Zach Bell: Cario, GA
Monster Army: How old were you when you had your first race and how did you do?
Zach Bell: I was 5 and I won.
Monster Army: Do you have a girlfriend?
Zach Bell: No but working on one.
Monster Army: What activities do you like to do when you're not riding?
Zach Bell: Scooters, bicycles, rc cars, pit bikes
Monster Army: Who is your favorite Athlete?
Zach Bell: James Stewart
Monster Army: What is your favorite flavor of Monster?
Zach Bell: Mean Bean or Moca.
Monster Army: What are your biggest accomplishments?
Zach Bell: Winning Loretta Lynns.
Monster Army: What do you think about when you're on the starting line for a race?
Zach Bell: The podium.
Monster Army: What are your goals for 2009?
Zach Bell: Bring home championships!
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