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Monster’s two gold medal winners off last year’s podium team – the first American team to podium @ ISDE since 1982 – return to action for Team USA in Portugal  
Photo of Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich courtesy of: Joe Colombero
Photo of Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott courtesy of: Destry Abbott
CORONA, Calif., (March 31, 2009) – The American Motorcyclist Association recently announced its representatives to the prestigious 84th annual International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) team and included on the roster are returning IDSE individual gold medalists for 3rd place overall Team USA – Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott and Ricky Dietrich.
Helping Team USA to its first ISDE podium finish (3rd place o/a) since 1982, Abbott and Dietrich are both looking forward to again representing the United States in this the Olympics of off road motorcycle competition held this fall in Figueira da Foz, Portugal, Oct. 12-17.
“"I was pretty excited to hear that we were bringing back all the same guys," said Abbott, who will ride a KXF450. "I think the team's better this year. It looks like we picked up more speed, we know we can do it, and we have the experience. From everything I see, the location is going to suit us West Coast guys.”
Last year’s top American finisher at the Greece ISDE was Dietrich, placing 2nd to Spain’s Ivan Cervantes in both the overall and premier E1 class. Dietrich’s currently in 2nd place overall in the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS), winning the first two of three rounds.
“Helping put Team USA on the overall ISDE podium for the first time in 26 years was a pretty amazing experience,” said Dietrich. “I think we’re just as talented this year – and maybe even faster. So if we can all stay on point and healthy I think we’ve got another real good shot at a podium, maybe the overall.”
Joining Abbott and Dietrich on the ’09 Team USA ISDE effort are: Jimmy Jarrett, Nathan Kanney, Nathan Woods and Kurt Caselli.
Next up on the 2009 WORCS schedule for Abbott and Dietrich is the Hollister, Calif., round, April 17-19.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it ISDE, WORCS, GNCC, EnduroCross, Hare & Hound, 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. Ricky Dietrich and Destry Abbott dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Bud Racing’s Gautier Paulin captures the MX2 division in a 15-lap survival race through the mud at the MXGP season-opener
LONDON, (March 30, 2009) – The Monster Army welcomed a new winner to the throng last weekend at the first round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Unbelievably dire weather conditions at Faenza for the Grand Prix of Italy saw the MX1 and MX2 classes reduced to a test of attrition and good fortune as rainfall battered the venue near Imola and caused the normally hard-pack and unforgiving terrain to melt into a swampy goo. Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Bud Racing’s Gautier Paulin showed diligence and outright bravery in attempting to scale the slippery steep hills for fifteen laps to record his first ever Grand Prix success in the MX2 division.
The leaders, showing some kind of supernatural ability to avoid the stationary carnage as well as remain upright were lapping up to fourth position as the riding fraternity received their wish to see the 64kph average speed dropped after Saturday’s dry qualification.
Yamaha Monster Energy MX team’s Josh Coppins recovered from a brain-rattling crash out of the lead during the MX1 Saturday qualification heat to take 6th position. Teammate and World Champion David Philippaerts was smashed in the eye by a rock, dropping him out of a top five slot when he blindly dried to negotiate a hill immediately after the incident and crossed the line three laps down in 9th.
“Everything was looking rosy yesterday but then I went down hard,” said Coppins. “I winded myself, hit my head and picked up a few bruises. It meant I also had a bad gate-pick. It was very different today of course. I passed a few guys, got stuck a couple of times and kept trying to do laps and came out with sixth. I think I got a ‘get out of jail free’ card yesterday and was lucky to walk away and then be able to race and take sixth. Perhaps I should have stopped for goggles but I was content at the time with sixth and maybe that was a mistake.”
Monster Energy's CAS Honda rider Billy Mackenzie was almost touching the top five until he entered a pool and was stuck fast. The delay in retrieving the CRF450R dropping him out of the points. “It was so deep I could not move,” he recalled. “It took four guys to fish the bike out. Everything was covered in mud, so I did my best to try and make the finish. It is a bit of a nightmare start to the season, as it is for a few other people I guess. I am very happy they cancelled the second moto. I think today was the most ridiculous thing I have ever done. The mud was so thick it was sticking to the bike and making it really heavy. Perhaps the results from the first moto should not have even counted because so many people were cutting the track and there was a lot of outside assistance.”
Aside from Paulin, Monster Energy were well represented by their new team Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci Racing, and Davide Guarneri – who conquered the Spanish Grand Prix in 2008 in similar circumstances – took a decent 4th at his home event.
The USA’s sole rep on the GP scene, Monster Energy/Utag/Yamaha’s Zach Osborne, couldn’t quite believe what he was facing and the teenager had a taste of the Italian ooze on several occasions, failing to break the top twenty in the process.
“I have ridden a lot of mud because I am from the East Coast and we have our fair share of thunder storms but nothing like that, where I felt like an absolute beginner,” he said. “Every lap you just think about getting up the first hill and then the second and if you make it then you are thinking of the first one again. It is unfortunate that I did badly but looking ahead I am only 25 points behind instead of 50 and today could have been a lot worse. You work the whole winter to make a point or a statement about what you have done and then to get a mud race like this is like playing Russian roulette; you can be a hero or a zero and today I was a zero.”
The Monster Energy Motocross World Championship crew will be in action again next weekend in the depths of Bulgaria for the second Grand Prix of the season at Sevlievo.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MXGP, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX Nationals, 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 FIM MXGP Championship series dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster/PC/Kawi’s Pourcel clinches the overall ’09 ESX Lites title one race early with win at Toronto; Monster’s Hill scores his first SX class podium of the year 
CORONA, Calif., (March 30, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Christophe Pourcel (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) has clinched the overall Eastern Regional Supercross Lites (ESX) championship, winning this past weekend’s Toronto Lites class main event - and giving Mitch Payton’s team its 24th championship - with one ESX Lites race remaining on the 2009 Monster AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, schedule.
Pourcel, who was absolutely masterful in his performance at Toronto’s Rogers Center, topped Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki teammate Austin Stroupe – who placed 2nd at Toronto.
“The hook up with Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki and me made for a very good team,” said the Frenchman Pourcel. “Everybody pushed me and Kawasaki was behind me every time. I was able to come back from an injury so yeah, it’s good.”
Entering the first heat race with the third-fastest qualifying practice time (53.476) – which was a second-and-a-half slower than Stroupe’s top Lites class practice time – Pourcel made it very clear right away that he was going to do everything in his power to get the bad luck monkey off his back that had dogged him the past couple weeks.
Getting out in 2nd place in his heat, before you could say “Pro Circuit-tuned KX250F,” Pourcel had passed Kyle Keylon and was in 1st place and haulin’ – bringing home the heat one win by three seconds over former ESX champ Branden Jesseman.
“I’m really happy tonight,” said Pourcel of his third heat race win of the season. “I got up good on the start and I will try to do that in the main as well.”
In the second Lites heat race at Toronto Stroupe got held up at the start, a race that was led momentarily by Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s #82, Jack Carpenter. Coming back from around 5th place, Stroupe got on his dragon and tripled past rival Nico Izzi in a section where Izzi could only manage to double. Stroupe, now in 2nd place, then got up on heat leader Matt Lemoine and was poised to pass him in the same section where he blitzed past Izzi – but was held up due to yellow flags (downed rider) and had to back off his charge, settling for 2nd in his heat.
With his mom in from France to cheer him on in the Toronto SX Lites main, Pourcel pulled another great start and passed Broc Tickle for the lead two turns into the contest. Stroupe would get held up a bit and emerged in around 8th place after the first lap.
By the third lap Stroupe had made his way up to 3rd place and was running a 10th –of-a-second faster than Pourcel, but having to deal with traffic. Stroupe would get by Tickle by lap five for 2nd place, but was still some 5.3 seconds behind Pourcel.
From laps eight through 15 Pourcel would keep that five-second lead constant, even lapping Izzi with four laps to go. And while Stroupe would hold strong onto 2nd place, it was Pourcel’s fist that would be thrust into the air when the checkers flew on the finish line jump.
Note: Everyone at Monster Energy would like to send a big congrats not only to Christophe, but also to Pro Circuit boss Payton and his wife, Kristen, on the recent birth of their twin boys – Ty and Tanner!
In the SX class Monster Energy’s Josh Hill (Yamaha) was past due on delivering a podium finish, running into all sorts of bad luck the past few weeks despite posting some of the faster lap times in the entire SX class. Hill would work hard to change that streak and came back from a mid-pack start to pass a series of factory racers to place 3rd at Toronto.
“I’m pumped for the team and my sponsors,” said Hill. “We’ve all worked real hard to pull things together and we were finally able to break through with a podium this weekend. We’ll continue to work hard to try and make a couple more podiums before the year’s up and carry that momentum into the outdoor season.”
Hill opened the Toronto SX class racing with a 4th place finish in the second heat race, passing fellow Yamaha team rider Broc Hepler for the spot. In that same heat Hill’s Monster Energy teammates Jason Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster/Troy Racing) and Paul Carpenter (Monster/Cernic’s/Kawasaki) would place 6th and 8th, respectively, to transfer to the main.
Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing’s Nick Wey, who would miss the ninth and final transfer spot in the first heat race (placing 10th), put on one of the night’s better battles when he and Heath Voss went bar-to-bar in the LCQ – with Wey winning out over his former Mach 1/Yamaha teammate for 2nd place and the last transfer spot to the Toronto SX main.
In the SX main Lawrence was a curious no-show, the result of taking a rock off the hand in practice and what he felt would be his inability to hold onto the bars for 20 laps. When the gate dropped and the flying debris cleared after the first lap, Wey was the only Monster Energy athlete in the top ten (9th). Hill (11th) and Carpenter (18th) were looking to mount charges early.
By the sixth lap Hill was up to 8th place and flying! A lap later he was in 7th place then, on lap eight, Hill pulled a brilliant move to get past both Hepler and Honda’s Andrew Short and into 5th place – absolutely blowing past both factory-backed racers. Hill would then get past Anaheim 1 SX winner Josh Grant and into 3rd place with eight laps to go – and held strong to that position through the checkers.
Wey, hampered by a practice injury, would place 15th and Carpenter would run a couple seconds ahead of him in 14th.
Next up for Monster Energy’s supercross racers is round 14 of Monster Energy Supercross at Jacksonville’s (Fla.) Municipal Stadium (April 4th). 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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Monster Energy’s Paul Thacker Eclipses 300’. Thacker adds a monumental chapter to the history of snowmobiling, becomes the first athlete ever to jump a sled the length of a football field 
Photos courtesy of: John Hanson
CORONA, Calif., (March 27, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Paul Thacker achieved his dream yesterday – jumping a snowmobile more than 300 feet through the air and landing safely back to earth at Minnesota’s Brainerd International Raceway and, in the process, setting a milestone on March 26th, 2009, that will be forever remembered in both action sports and the sport of snowmobiling.
Said Thacker: “I got up to 87 miles per hour and hit the take-off ramp. When I was in the air I just knew it was perfect. Flew over 301 feet. With the amplitude and the way I landed I knew we got to where we wanted to be.
“I was already screaming in my helmet on the down run.”
Thacker’s feat yesterday absolutely smashes the previous snowmobile distance jumping world record of 271 feet he set on Feb. 17th, 2008. The stunt also puts Thacker in the same company as his buddy, fellow Monster Energy motorcycle distance jumper Ryan Capes, who was the first athlete to break the 300-foot barrier on a motorcycle.
Piloting a 430-pound Bikeman Performance-powered Polaris IQ 600 snowmobile with custom Fox Shox suspension through the overcast but calm skies of above the famed NHRA drag racing facility, Thacker’s pursuit of the once mythical 300-foot snowmobile jump mark didn’t even look like it was going to get off the ground. Foul weather early in the week, coupled with high winds (which can spell disaster in distance jumping), put Thacker’s efforts on hold time after time.
Tuesday, March 24th: Thacker and the Monster Energy team arrive at BIR and begin to get the sled dialed. Weather’s “awful,” according to Thacker. “Raining sideways, blowing like stink.” The team got the Slednecks take-off jump set up, put together the massive snow pile landing - even though the temperature was reaching 55-degrees. “We ended up just shutting ‘er down and went and watched the Weather Channel for Wednesday. Note: Fortunately for Thacker and the Monster Energy team the snow pile landing froze on Tuesday night, making it perfect for the remainder of the week.
Wed., March 25th: “We got up and it was still pretty crappy out. The wind wasn’t too bad, but it was rainy, drizzly,” said Thacker. “I ended jumping around 11 a.m., stuff right around 200 feet. We worked to get some measurements and stuff, then the wind started howling.” With crosswinds at upwards of 35 mph, Thacker said he was “starting to get pushed off the landing.” The team broke for lunch, came back out and the winds had picked up even more. “We went on hold, then turned the ambulances loose at 4 o’clock when the winds were up to 40 mph.”
Thurs., March 26th: Rain turned to snow for Thacker and the Monster Energy team which, according to Thacker, “is appropriate for what we do.” Out to the track at 7 a.m., the winds were a manageable 10 mph. Thacker started jumping around 10 a.m., beginning with a 150-foot gap between the take-off ramp and the face of the landing snow pile – jumping again in the 200-foot range. They’d pull the take-off ramp back 25 feet at a time, jumping twice on the first pull back (200-250 feet), two more times on the next pull back (250-plus) then pulled the take-off ramp back again.
“The third time we pulled it back I knew I needed 85 mph plus and I’d been getting 82-83 mph,” said Thacker. “So we did some clutching and some jetting adjustments and I got 84 mph and went 283 (feet) with a 235-foot gap – a new world record. We could have shut it down at that point, but, to be honest with you, I wasn’t even excited with the new world record. Myself, Monster – all my other sponsors – it wasn’t what we wanted.”
So Thacker and the Monster Energy team met with the safety crew and pulled the ramp back again – knowing that if he didn’t - and hit the previous gap going faster - he’d come dangerously close to hitting flat, which would be disastrous. On the same token the gap now grew to 250-feet, which definitely plays on your psyche when riding past and sizing it up.
“I took a couple speed runs and knew I had to hit at least 84 mph,” said Thacker. “Anything less would have basically been the end of me.”
The Monster Energy team took to the Bikeman Performance-powered Polaris IQ 600 sled one more time, checking over the Fox Shocks suspension and making one last highly important technical decision: “We decided to swap the track out for one with smaller lugs – lighter, better aero (aerodynamics) and, hopefully, more distance,” said Thacker.
At 3 p.m. Thacker and the Monster Energy Team had quit jumping, torn into the sled one last time. Thacker slid out onto BIR’s quarter mile drag strip about an hour later and clicked off some final fly-byes. The radar read 87…88…89 mph – precisely what he needed. Now it was go time.
“I stopped by the trailer one last time and my mechanic, Alex, gave the sled a once-over and sent me on my way,” said Thacker. “I hit it at 87 (mph) and flew just over 301 feet.”
It wasn’t until later, celebrating at a local tavern, when one of the guys the crew, Slednecks’ JB Gasperone, guys came up to Thacker and said: “You know how many jumps you made?”
Thacker: “No, how many?”
“13.”
Thacker just laughed. “300 feet has been such a huge goal, such a huge sense of accomplishment. And I’m honored to be the first person to do so.”
Paul Thacker is sponsored by: Monster Energy, Slednecks, Polaris, Bikeman Performance, Oakley, C & A Pro Skis, Fox Shox, Kicker and HMK.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it insane distance jumping, sleds, SX, rally, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, 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. Paul Thacker digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster/Cernic’s/Kawi’s Upstate New Yorkers - Carpenter and Kiniry - share a hometown race of sorts; Monster’s Pourcel & Stroupe have the ESX in lock down CORONA, Calif., (March 26, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Paul Carpenter (Cernic’s/Kawasaki) is as tough as they come in the sport of supercross. The New York native has courageously rallied back from a bone-breaking accident in San Diego (Rd. 7), placed a solid 10th at the last round St. Louis while clawing his way back into the top 15 overall in points after missing five rounds of Monster AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.
Carpenter, who hails from Ithaca, along with his Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki running mate, Bobby Kiniry (Syracuse, N.Y.), are about a nine-iron away from this weekend’s Toronto Supercross in terms of travel and look to the Rogers Center – though based in another country – as their adopted hometown race.
“We’ve got a ton of friends blasting up from New York to Canada (about a five-hour drive) this weekend and they all drink Monster!,” said Carpenter laughing. “Seriously, guys will get out of work on Friday and pin it all the way up to Toronto. And you can bet they’ll stop and get a couple cans of Monster on they so they’re all fired up when they arrive!”
“Yeah, me and Paul are probably going to have hide,” added Kiniry laughing.
The two Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki racers – when not confined to an MRI machine – have consistently ranked amongst the top-finishing privateers in the SX class. Carpenter’s X-rays of his crumbled rib cage speaks for itself about his intestinal fortitude. And with Kiniry you need look no further than the Mack Truck Honda, driven by Ivan Tedesco, who flattened Kiniry in the sand at New Orleans – only to have him get up and finish - as a testament to how tough he is.
“I have said it all along I wish I had those two when Special Greg smacked me in the nose on Nitro Circus for those two guys are the toughest two riders in Monster Supercross today,” said team owner Jeff Cernic. “I believe in them and feel they can run in with the elite eight all day long.
“All the Cernic's employees are very proud of these two and we support them each and every weekend, I could not ask for two better riders to be a part of the Monster Cernic's Kawasaki SX team.”
And making his Canadian debut in the SX class will be Monster Energy’s Jason “JLaw” Lawrence. The Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster/Troy Racing rider has stunned the MX industry as of late, racing to a 2nd place podium finish in his first-ever 450cc class (Daytona, Fla.) contest and placing 5th this past weekend in St. Louis. JLaw will no doubt be as big a hit with the Canadians as he has been here in States.
“That stadium’s pretty cool. And there’s been some great battles there with (Ricky) Carmichael, (James) Stewart and (Chad) Reed,” said Lawrence. “Looking forward to checking out the city a bit and then, hopefully, mixing things up at the top. Second place at Daytona was great for the Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster/Troy Racing team and I’d like to get up on the box again.”
Picking it up for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki program in the SX class again this week will be Billy Laninovich. The former top Lites class racer is filling in for both Ryan Villopoto (illness) and Tim Ferry (foot surgery) in the big bike class.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Laninovich. “It’s an awesome feeling. Mike (Fisher, Monster/Kawasaki team manager)) called me while I was testing and told me I would be racing this weekend (St. Louis). I want to race for a factory team and the Monster Energy Kawasaki team has a strong history of being one of the best in our sport.”
Looking to up the ante on their recent finishes are Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster/Troy Racing’s Nick Wey and his fellow Monster Energy jaw line graphic-running SX class mate Josh Hill (Yamaha). Hill’s solidly in 10th place overall in the standings now that Ferry’s on the sidelines and Wey’s trying to hold off Carpenter for 14th place overall.
In the support Supercross Lites class look for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s top tandem of Christophe Pourcel (three main event wins) and Austin Stroupe (two main event wins) to rebound from having their undefeated season stopped last weekend in St. Louis by Blake Wharton. Pourcel’s got a commanding 25-point lead over Stroupe (131-106) with six of eight ESX rounds in the books.
Note: Be sure to check out JLaw’s feature interview/story on “ESPN.com” Lawrence is the subject of an action sports blog feature on ESPN.com this week, written by Chris Palmer – the guy who authored Monster Energy’s Jeremy McGrath’s book “Wide Open: A life in supercross.”
Here’s JLaw’s link: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4001081
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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Racing past Monster Energy banners – the Oak Hill MX National’s ‘official’ energy drink – Monster amateur MX stars do well at ‘09’s first big events 
CORONA, Calif., (March 25, 2009) – A quick update from down in Texas as all the motor homes housing some of the future stars of motocross – Monster Energy’s amateur MX Army – are rolling back into towns across the United States and have been checking back in to Monster HQ with reports of much success after the first big opening weekends of amateur MX racing this year.
Beginning with the Pro 250 class at Oak Hill MX Park, Monster Energy swept the top three spots with Monster Energy/Yamaha’s Christian Craig taking 1st, followed by Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Team Green’s Dean Wilson in 2nd and Tyler Sjoberg in 3rd. Note: Craig, Sjoberg and Wilson had gone at it hard the previous week in Lake Whitney, Texas, with Craig topping those rivals – along with Monster Energy-backed Blake Baggett in those battles as well.
In all Craig would score four podiums at Oak Hill, 2nd in 250 Mod A, 2nd in 450 Mod A and 3rd in 450 Pro. Wilson would add a title in 450 Pro at Oak Hill, along with a 3rd place in 250 Mod A to give him three podiums in the top classes. It should also be noted that Wilson won all his Pro 250 qualifiers heading into the weekend’s finals and Craig was in the top three of pretty much all his qualifiers as well.
Supermini specialist Zach Bell (Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Team Green) was on it as well at Oak Hill, winning the Supermini title and placing 2nd in both the 85 14-16 Stock and Mod classes for three overall podiums. His fast-rising Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Team Green teammate, Adam Cianciarulo, would mine silver in both the 85 12-13 Stock and Supermini classes. Noteworthy: Young Cianciarulo topped the older, larger and more experienced local Texan – Matt Bisceglia – in an 85 Stock moto.
Two other Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Team Green members winning titles at Oak Hill were Jacob Hayes (Schoolboy 12-16 Mod) and Blake Green (85 7-11 Stock).
Other Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Team Green riders putting up solid numbers at Oak Hill included: Lowell Spangler, Malcolm Stewart and Justin Bogle – all running in the top ten overall in their multiple motos.
Next up for the Monster Energy amateur MX racers is the Vegas Mini GP in April.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, SX, supermoto, road racing, rally, insane distance jumping, MotoGP, 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 amateur MX rippers dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy’s Mark Burkhart runs it all the way up to 3rd after crashing while leading; Monster teammate Brandon Currie places 5th in his first 450 class race 
CORONA, Calif., (March 25, 2009) – The 2009 AMA XTRM Supermoto Championship got underway this past weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., and Monster Energy’s familiar two names in the sport – Mark Burkhart and Brandon Currie – were right where the legions of Monster Army members would expect them, battling for the lead position through much of the contest.
Burkhart (Monster Energy/Burkhart Racing/KTM) was easily the fastest racer all weekend. Scoring the pole position in prelims, Burkhart overcame a bad start and worked his way up to battle with race leader and defending champ series champ Jeff Ward – taking the lead at one point. Burkhart then suffered a slight wreck that would hand the top spot over to Ward, while the Monster-backed rider would remount and run it back hard to salvage a podium (3rd).
“I am excited to be on the podium (given that I crashed) for this first round,” said Burkhart. “I am feeling strong and the bike is amazing. The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster, so it will be good to have some time before the next round to dial everything in and get used to the new bike. I am looking forward to putting in a better showing at Infineon Raceway (Sonoma, Calif. (May 17th).”
Hot in pursuit of Burkhart and Ward was Currie, the defending Supermoto Lites champ. Currie battled early with Sylvain Bidart, passing the Honda-mounted rider in the dirt section of the Fontana track to take over 3rd. After Burkhart’s wreck Currie set his sites on Ward, caught right up to the defending Supermoto class champ – and was hungry to make the pass for the lead – when he (Currie) clipped his foot peg on an inner corner marker in turn one and went down. The rookie 450 racer would remount quickly and give chase, but a couple more mistakes during his comeback would keep him at 5th place.
“I definitely learned a lot at this first race,” said Currie. “My Graves/Yamaha had what it took to get me up on the leader’s (Ward) rear tire, so now it’s up to me to eliminate the mistakes and come back at Sonoma and make the podium.”
Next up for the Monster Energy AMA Supermoto racers is the second round of the series, May 17th, at Infineon Raceway (Sonoma, Calif.).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it supermoto, road racing, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, 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. Burkhart and Currie dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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UCI World Cup racers Hill and Fairclough are joined by freeriders McDermott and Goldman, along with WC DH ace Jonnier and all-around cyclist Jared Graves 
CORONA, Calif., (March 25, 2009) – Monster Energy’s pedal pushers – some of the fittest athletes in the entire Monster Army – are in the midst of beginning the 2009 cycling competition seasons in a number of disciplines including UCI World Cup DH, Slopestyle and Freeride and BMX.
Joining Monster Energy’s Sam Hill and Brendan Fairclough on the Army’s elite cyclist crew for 2009 are returning athletes Lance McDermott (Slopestyle/Freeride), Jamie Goldman (Slopestyle/Freeride), Sabrina Jonnier (UCI WC DH) and Monster newcomer Jared Graves, who runs UCI WC 4x and DH, along with BMX.
“Monster Energy’s loaded with talent this year and will no doubt be hitting the headlines in the cycling world throughout the summer,” said Sean Heimdal, who manages the Team Monster Energy/Specialized race program with Hill and Fairclough. “From global World Cup action to all the major slopestyle and freeride competitions here in North America and Europe, Monster Energy will be representing with some of the top names in the sport.”
Beginning with the UK’s McDermott (Scott Bikes) and USA’s Goldman (Santa Cruz), Monster Energy’s MTB Slope/Free duo killed it on the Nissan Qashqai tour overseas, with McDermott winning the richest MTB Slope/Free contest ever (London Qashqai) and Goldman making the top ten in that event as well (9th). McDermott went on to win the overall Qashqai championship while Goldman finished 7th. They also compete Stateside here and in Canada at numerous events, including the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, Crankworx at Whistler, B.C., and the Bearclaw Invitational at Mt. Washington, B.C. – which was won by Goldman.
On the UCI World Cup tour longtime Monster Energy-backed racer Jonnier (Maxxis) will look to gain her DH title back she won in 2003, ’05 and ’07. The ultra-fast native of France has also been the series’ runner-up an impressive four times (’02, ’04, ’06 and ’08), making her the most successful women’s downhill mountain bike racer of the past decade.
New to the Monster Energy MTB and BMX team is the Aussie Graves (Yeti). Last year Graves led the Australian BMX team into the Beijing Olympics and placed 6th in the finals, while at the same time running MTB races on the UCI World Cup circuit where he’d won two rounds of Elite Men 4x (Ft. William, UK , and Canberra, Australia) in 2008 – MTB’s version of BMX. Graves dominated the Oceania UCI BMX Series in Australia and New Zealand, winning the Elite Men’s overall title and also scoring a podium (2nd) in the UCI World Cup Supercross (BMX) in Copenhagen, Netherlands. And just recently Graves swept the 4x and DH at ’09 Oceania Series opener.
Note: Graves joins Monster Energy’s Donny Robinson, who won the bronze medal in BMX at the Beijing Games.
The 2009 UCI World Cup competition opens April 10-12 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and the Oceania UCI BMX Series in Australia and New Zealand is already going off.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MTB, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, NASCAR Trucks, 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 mt. bikers rock ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Dietrich bests a field of the west’s best off road motorcyclists at the CrazyHorse GP to take his second win of the WORCS season and moves into 2nd o/a 
Photos of Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich courtesy of: Joe Colombero
CORONA, Calif., (March 24, 2009) – Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s World Championship Off Road Series (WORCS) racer Ricky Dietrich captured 1st place at this past weekend’s sand-laden CrazyHorse GP in Lake Havasu, Ariz., and moved to within six points of overall WORCS Pro class points leader Mike Brown.
The win for Dietrich, his second in three WORCS contests this season, was powerful. Taking over the lead on the second lap of the race, Dietrich ran the table on a field that included Brown and defending WORCS champion, Bobby Bonds, along former WORCS champion Nathan Woods.
“I had been practicing the starts all week and it really paid off,” said Dietrich. “I was about 8th after the first turn and patiently worked my way up to the front. My rear brakes went out near the end and I just tried to keep my momentum up in the sandy and rough spots on the track.”
Also scoring well in the premier Pro class for Monster Energy/Kawasaki were Damon Huffman (7th) and Destry Abbott (14th). Overall Huffman is in 7th place in the WORCS Pro class standings with 39 points and Abbott’s in 12th with 28 points.
In the Pro 2 class Monster Energy/Kawasaki riders continued to dominate as Corey Floyd won his second-straight WORCS Pro 2 event, topping teammate Ryan Abbatoye (2nd) in the Lake Havasu sand. Overall Abbatoye still has the edge in Pro 2 points with 80 to Floyd’s 75. The two riders are undefeated in WORCS action on the season with Floyd having two wins and Abbatoye with one after three rounds.
Next up on the 2009 WORCS schedule is the Hollister, Calif., round, April 17-19.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it WORCS, GNCC, EnduroCross, Hare & Hound, 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 guys running the WORCS dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Battling a shoulder injury suffered at the Florida GNCC opener, Josh Weisenfels put the hammer down and led the Monster XC2 class racers in Steele Creek, N.C. 
CORONA, Calif., (March 24, 2009) – Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha’s Josh Weisenfels proved just how tough a Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series racer is, battling a banged up shoulder and some fresh surgery, along with a last place start to finish in 6th in the XC2 class at round three of the GNCCs in Steele Creek, N.C., this past weekend.
With temperatures in the 60s and a stellar course set by Racer Productions, the flag flew on the XC2 class start and Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha’s Dave Snyder got out in 2nd place with teammate Jason Thomas in tow (5th). Once in the woods Weisenfels was nowhere to be seen as he came out of the start line in last place.
By the end of the first lap Thomas was leading (after a Snyder mistake) and Weisenfels was absolutely flying, making up huge amounts of time and space and was up to 8th place after his last place start.
“I had a bad start and just pushed all day,” said Weisenfels. “I am getting stronger and hope to be back up front soon.”
Following the gas stop Thomas was back to 3rd, pushing hard to catch the 2nd place rider. Weisenfels had moved up to 6th and was on the gas, but Snyder would soon retire with, according to team owner Fred Andrews, a “hard get off.”
Thomas would eventually catch up and make the pass for 2nd place, but his effort would be for not as a rock busted the chain guide off the swing arm – throwing the chain and ending Thomas’ day. “I was giving it all I had out there today,” said Thomas. “I thought I could win this race. I’m so disappointed…that’s racing.”
All three Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha GNCC racers are well within the top 15 overall XC2 class point standings with Thomas in 5th, Snyder in 8th and Weisenfels in 12th.
Next up for the Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha GNCC racing team is the Union, S.C., round on April 5th – round four of the series.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it GNCC, WORCS, Hare & Hound, EnduroCross, 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. Fred Andrews’ boyz digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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 Me and Mayer.... 1st and 2nd place ... Danny killed it !!!!
 Thanks to Brian and everyone at the Skatepark of Tampa !
 Tweaked my knee at the end of the Jam but it's all good...
 Neil Hendrix for Fuel TV!!
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 Matt Beacham and musical guest Cut Off Your Hands on Fuel TV
Featured On “The Daily Habit” Monday, March 23, 2009
Airing Monday, March 23, at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (6:00 pm Pacific Time) and telecast three additional times, Matt Beacham and musical guest Cut Off Your Hands will appear on “The Daily Habit.”
Get ready, set, and go! New Pollution host and pro surfer Matt Beacham is back on the Habit to tell us about his mis-adventures filming for season 3 as he travels the world hanging with the most talented groms. New Zealand quartet Cut Off Your Hands brings us their poppy, head boppin’ tunes to the Snickers Sound Stage. And get a private tour of Tavarua as Andy Irons kicks off our week-long coverage of the 2009 Nixon High Tide Hold ‘Em Contest in Fiji.
Matt Beacham’s sponsors include: Cobian, Truth Soul Armor, Wave Riding Vehicles, Monster Energy and Verizon Wireless.
Matt Beacham
"The Daily Habit" is FUEL TV’s first original daily series, telecast weeknights at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) while re-airing later in the evening at 12:00am ET (9:00pm PT), and the following weekday at 2:30pm ET (11:30am PT) and 5:30pm ET (2:30 pm PT). “The Daily Habit” encompasses the world of the action sports enthusiast, mixing the best in pop culture with today’s top action sports personalities, cutting-edge music, product reviews, and comedy.
About FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the action sports lifestyle network for skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, freestyle-motocross, and wakeboarding. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in 26-million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.
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Monster Energy’s Attack Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking enjoys a big weekend at Auto Club Speedway and Monster Energy’s Chaz Davies (Aprilia) is 7th in SportBike 
CORONA, Calif., (March 23, 2009) – Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking scored his first two AMA SportBike class podium of the season, nailing a couple 2nd place runs at Fontana’s (Calif.) Auto Club Speedway AMA Pro Road Racing doubleheader and moved into 1st place in the overall SportBike standings after two rounds (three races).
In addition, Monster Energy’s Chaz Davies (Aprilia) placed 8th and 7th in the SportBike class at Fontana, with Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Leandro Mercado finishing just outside the top ten with two 11th place finishes. The weekend’s effort has both Davies and Mercado joining points leader Hacking in the SportBike’s top ten overall point standings, Davies in 7th and Mercado in 10th.
Hacking, who won the AMA’s Superpole as the fastest qualifier prior to the weekend’s SportBike main events, made his way from 5th to 2nd late in Saturday’s contest and was thisclose to winning Sunday’s contest, his Kawasaki ZX-6R just one-tenth of a second behind race winner Danny Eslick.
“It was a good race for the little time we spent working on the bike,” said Hacking of Saturday’s contest in a Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki release. “We made a few changes from the set-up yesterday (Saturday) and they did the trick when it came to catching the lead rider…I just barely missed out on the win.”
Monster Energy-backed AMA Pro Racing SportBike racers get back to action April 3-5 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. For more information on the series check out www.amaproracing.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, 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. Hacking, Mercado, Hayden and Davies dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Third time Lutzka’s won the epic contest (2006 & ’08), which pretty much elevates him to “legend” status amongst street skaters at this most core event
CORONA, Calif., (March 23, 2009) – Monster Energy skateboarder Greg Lutzka saved his best for last, putting down the hammer on a third and final run at the most core of core skate contests, the Tampa Pro, and topped out on the podium over a couple venerable skateboarding names in Chaz Ortiz and Paul Rodriguez for his third career Tampa Pro win.
Said Lutzka of the competition: “Everyone down there was just killing it. P-Rod rode super smooth, switch back lips - nollied everything pretty much. Jereme Rogers was on point. Chaz Ortiz, the young kid from Chicago (in his first contest since turning pro), was bringing it down too.”
Lutzka waited until his final run to blow things up. Falling on his first two runs, the then two-time Tampa Pro champ got a look at most all of the aforementioned skaters, along with Dennis Busenitz (who Lutzka picked to win in a pre-contest interview on FUEL.tv) and Jani Laitiala, and pulled off what would be the weekend’s best run – hands down.
“I was kind of over it to tell you the truth. Wasn’t feeling my board that well,” said Lutzka of his first two runs. “Then on the last run I though ‘You know what – I’m just going to try and get into the music they’re playing and try to get into the zone’ and it ended up just working out for me and everything.”
The trick that had everybody’s socks rolling up and down was Lutzka’s switch 270 nose blunt on the rail – a trick no one else had pulled all weekend until Lutzka did it in classic last-second fashion.
“Just went for it, landed it and from there was just stoked, you know what I mean?,” he said. “That meant I landed the run I wanted to.”
The SoCal transplant from Milwaukee, Wis., opened his final run at the Tampa Pro with a nollie crooked grind, then over-turned a 180 to hit a switch boardslide on the rail, pumped up the tranny by the announcers’ table, then rocked a front half Cab on the box. With everyone’s eyeballs fixed on him, Lutzka then nailed a switch frontside flip 270 on the hip before pulling off his bananas switch 270 nose blunt on the rail – a trick where he almost looped out on the back end, but held on for the win.
Up next for Lutzka is “Hanging out, filming and doing it up!,” he says.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it skate, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, 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. Lutzka digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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The Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing athlete’s stirred up the action in the premier Monster Energy SX class – enough for ESPN to take notice
CORONA, Calif., (March 23, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Jason “JLaw” Lawrence, who’s been tearing up the premier SX class of Monster Energy Supercross, is the subject of an interview in ESPN Magazine’s website’s popular action sports blog.
Here’s the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4001081
In just two races (out of 11) Lawrence, the defending WSX Lites champ, has jumped into the top 20 in the overall SX class point standings. His 2nd at Daytona (Fla.) and 5th at St. Louis this past weekend give him 38 points, good enough for 19th place.
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. JLaw digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Kjersti takes Slopestyle and Quarterpipe titles, Most Valuable Rider, Best Quarterpipe Trick, fourth in SuperPipe, and a new Volvo 
STRATTON, Vermont (March 22, 2009) –Coming off a World Cup halfpipe win in La Molina, Spain last week, Monster Energy’s Kjersti Oestgaard Buaas continued her roll stateside by taking the US Open quarterpipe title Friday. Kjersti threw huge backside airs over fifteen feet out and her patented air to fakie’s double overhead for the icy nighttime win and a cool $10,000—plus another $3,000 for Best Trick. “I don’t really ride quarterpipe, so it really worked out for the best, I was pretty surprised!” said Buaas afterward.
While many riders might be content with two wins, the young Norwegian was charging equally hard in the SuperPipe on Saturday afternoon. Huge inverted technical rotations on the first hit, backed up with fives and sevens had Kjersti in podium contention throughout qualifying and ultimately landed her fourth position and $2,000 dollars for her efforts.
The final day of the US Open proved to be the most fruitful for Kjersti as she braved snowstorms, whiteouts, and sticky e-brake style conditions until the clouds finally passed during slopestyle. Battling a shoulder dislocation that happened three times during the day, Buaas soldiered on although the injury changed her strategy, “I was trying to link certain spins together that wouldn’t throw my shoulder out!” said Kjersti.
While the girls were all killing it and competitors like Chanelle Sladics and Jenny Jones gave her a run, Kjersti won the US Open Slopestyle and $20,000 with a no-holds-barred final run. Paying no mind to her compromised shoulder she dropped in and posted up some box trickery at the top followed by a Cab 540, backside 360, frontside 360 and a final frontside 720. Battling both weather and injury Kjersti was clearly ecstatic with the win exclaiming repeatedly “I can’t believe this is really happening.”
If the Norwegian hadn’t surprised herself enough this weekend, imagine her expression when she was awarded the women’s Most Valuable Rider and the keys to a brand new Volvo XC60—her second Volvo of the year after a previous M.V.R. title at the Burton European Open. Aside from the beautiful car, this particular award holds special meaning for her.
“Winning two Most Valuable Rider, or best overall titles this year is really validating for me because I work really hard at slopestyle—I’m not just a pipe rider, and that recognition is important.”
With Winter Olympic qualifications looming it looks as though Kjersti is ramping up her game. She’s been working on some top-secret new shred maneuvers. Look for her to show her hand this spring in SuperPipe.
Stay up to date on the Monster girl happenings of Kjersti, Leanne Pelosi, Elena Hight, and the rest of the Monster crew at www.monsterarmy.com > and www.monsterenergy.com >
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The most winning US Open pipe rider of all time smashes his four time record and makes it five  
CORONA, Calif., (March 21, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Danny Kass has distanced himself from the competition again with an amazing fifth win at the prestigious US Open at Stratton, Vermont. Injuring his shoulder at Mount Snow earlier in the season, Danny has been flying under the radar and avoiding competition while on the mend. It was fitting that the New Jersey legend’s technical dominance and timeless style would resurface at his favorite event.
Under sunny skies with epic conditions and family watching, Danny qualified fourth for SuperPipe finals in a heavily stacked roster of young chargers including Scotty Lago, Kevin Pierce, and Monster teammate Louie Vito. While not producing awe-inducing runs in qualifiers, anyone familiar with Kass appreciates his standout performances when it matters. Perhaps only Danny, Shaun White and surf legend Kelly Slater have the uncanny ability to summon next-level performances consistently in the clinch.
The event format of best run out of three in the finals was an anxious one as Danny sat on his second run and guys like Peetu Piirionen and Scotty Lago were killing it. It wasn’t until the final drop in that Kass turned up the heat and put it all together—two tens, a seven, a nine, and a switch alley-oop 540 with trademark style set the local crowd on fire. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Danny Kass had done it once again, pulling the rug out from under the competition and walking away with a fifth Open title.
“I just want to thank my family, and all my friends for coming out to support me today. This was awesome—I was definitely feeling it today. Now it’s time to go to Louie Vito’s birthday party and send it!”
Kass has penned another storybook chapter in a truly charmed life—stay up to date on his latest shenanigans via Danny And The Dingo On Fuel TV.
Keep up to speed with Danny Kass, Dingo, Louie Vito, and the rest of the Monster crew at www.monsterarmy.com
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Peterson mines gold at the Canadian backcountry freestyle/freeride ski event
Photo: Monster Energy freeskier Kye Peterson (left) talks to skate legend Steve Caballero
CORONA, Calif., (March 21 , 2009) – Monster Energy backcountry ski phenom, Kye Peterson, recently pulled the top spot out Canada’s top backcountry freestyle/freeride contest as voted by his backcountry-ripping constituents at British Columbia’s (Canada) Retallack Lodge.
Running the M-claw logo atop the podium at the Red Bull Cold Rush, Peterson, a BC native, took it too three separate disciplines at the contest: Backcountry; Big Air; Cliff Lines & Big Mountain. Dealing with tough visual conditions and a boatload of fresh new snow, Peterson scored the best footage – which was later replayed at the Retallack Lodge and judged by the competitors themselves.
Scoring 92 (out of a possible 100), Peterson’s bank account grew by $4,000 as the 1st place trophy held aloft while, event more importantly, getting the ‘bro-love’ from many of the world’s most elite backcountry skiers.
“I just won it and I’m super stoked,” said the hard-charging Peterson. “I’m happy to be back at Retallack and the fact that the Cold Rush is at Retallack is a huge deal to me because I love being here and had a great time.”
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it backcountry skiing, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, snowboards, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, 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. Kye Peterson digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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The defending U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix champion opts out of this year’s final GP event to represent the U.S. Snowboarding Team in World Cup action
CORONA, Calif., (March 21 , 2009) – Monster Energy-backed snowboarder Louie Vito bested all but one in an international field of the world’s top snowboarders this past week, placing 2nd in the World Cup halfpipe competition held in La Molina, Spain.
Vito, the defending U.S. Grand Prix champion, decided to forgo the final event on that series – in which he was tied for the lead - in order to represent Team USA in the Spanish World Cup event. The Ohioan, who trained at the Stratton Mountain (Vt.) Academy, stepped up in the prelims and qualified for the finals in a heat that included fellow Monster Energy athlete Danny Kass, former X Games SuperPipe gold medalist Steve Fisher, Scotty Lago, Antti Autti and Gary Zebrowski.
Reaching the finals, Vito stomped back-to-back 1080s, went big on all his airs, threw in a backside 540, frontside 900 and backside 900 to place 2nd to Switzerland’s Markus Keller.
“World Cups have not really been my thing and this is one of my first finals,” said Vito. “It was nice to finally land a run.”
Curiously, Vito and Fisher were tied for the lead in the overall U.S. Grand Prix Snowboarding halfpipe championship. And though both opted out of that comp in favor of the World Cup event in Spain, nobody scored enough points at that event (Killington, Vt.) to overtake the two. So this year’s U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix halfpipe championship ends in a tie between Vito and Fisher, giving Vito his second-straight U.S. Snowboarding GP halfpipe crown!
Vito’s now back to his adopted home of Stratton for this weekend’s U.S. Open.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it snowboards, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, ski, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Louie Vito digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy’s Currie, who went undefeated in last year’s Supermoto Lites division, moves up to join Burkhart in 450 class’ championship chase  
CORONA, Calif., (March 19, 2009) – The much-anticipated AMA Supermoto battle between former teammates - yet still Monster Energy-backed racers - Brandon Currie (Graves/Yamaha) and Mark Burkhart (Monster Energy/Burkhart Racing/KTM) is set to go off this weekend at the opening round of the 2009 AMA XTRM Supermoto Championship at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. (March 22).
Currie, who won two-straight Supermoto Lites championships (2007-’08), is stepping up to race with the big dogs of the sport – including former premier Supermoto class champion, Burkhart (’07). And greeting him first will for sure be Burkhart, who also had a much-heralded Lites career before stepping up to the bigs as well – sweeping five races against no defeats to win the 2005 Supermoto Lites title.
With similar motocross-based riding styles, about the only thing that’ll separate Currie and Burkhart this year will be their bikes. Currie will again be aboard the Yamaha YZs – a bike he’s ridden in the past, while Burkhart’s moving over to the KTMs – the bike defending Supermoto class champ Troy Herfoss won on last year.
Said Currie last year of the impending match up with Burkhart on the 450s: “Well, when I’m on a 250 and he’s on a 450 I’m usually within about two seconds. On a 450 (Currie smartly pauses) – hard to say. We really don’t get to ride 450s much together.”
While Currie was dominating the Supermoto Lites class last year, Burkhart and Herfoss brought the 450 class right down to the last race with Burkhart playing ‘hunter’ role at the Sonoma (Calif.) doubleheader. Down eight points to Herfoss (95-87), Burkhart won the first round (Monroe, Wash.), then saw Herfoss reel off three straight victories. To his credit Burkhart hung in there and made the podium at each event that Herfoss won – even at the last rounds in Wisconsin and Utah when he was banged up after that spectacular crash at X Games 14 in Los Angeles.
Burkhart was winning the Saturday round of Sonoma, only do suffer a mechanical failure which, for all intents and purposes, handed the title over to Herfoss.
For ’09 Burkhart formed his own team, Burkhart Racing, and has teamed with Mitch Hansen and the factory KTM program to win back the title that eluded him last year.
“I’m pumped to have Monster Energy back with me as the team’s title sponsor and am looking forward to working with Mitch this year and racing the factory KTM bikes,” said Burkhart. I raced the KTMs for the first time a couple weeks ago in Florida and loved the way they handled. I am feeling strong and looking forward to racing again.”
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it supermoto, road racing, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, 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. Burkhart and Currie dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy’s led into battle by Attack Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking and Leandro Mercado, along with Chaz Davies, all of whom placed in the top ten at the inaugural AMA SportBike race at Daytona 
CORONA, Calif., (March 19, 2009) – Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking leads the Monster Army Generals of the AMA Pro Road Racing tour into battel at round two of premier SportBike class action this weekend on the multi-purpose surfaces of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., March 20-22.
Marking the first of three California-based AMA Pro Road Racing events (Sonoma & Laguna Seca being the others), American and international road racers will use the infield and portions of the NASCAR oval in a classic U.S.A. stadium-style racing set up similar to that of the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Last year Monster Energy-backed Chaz Davies (Aprilia) – having won the ’08 Formula Xtreme opener at Daytona – came back and scored a second-straight podium at round two of the series (held at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala.) with a 3rd place Formula Xtreme class finish. And in the then-premier Superbike class main event, Monster Energy/Attack/Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking would finish just a click off the podium in 4th place (at round two at Barber).
With Fontana moved up to round two this year on the AMA Pro Road Racing circuit (Barber’s moved to round four), the Monster Army Generals will look to improve upon their ’08 performances at the SoCal speedway as Davies was the only racer to score a top five finish (Formula Xtreme).
“Everyone on the Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies team is looking forward to our first race in California,” said Davies. “There’s always a good following for AMA Pro Road Racing on the West Coast and there’s a definite buzz regarding the team and Aprilia’s first full factory effort here in the States.”
Davies and his standout Monster Energy M-claw logo’d helmet will no doubt be one to keep an eye on when the light goes green on the SportBike class at Fontana. Last week at Daytona Davies, battling his way into the top ten, turned the weekend’s fastest lap time in the class – a blistering 1:48.947. And that time was spun just to get up to 6th place – so you know Davies is capable of putting Monster Energy on the podium at Fontana.
Hacking, who placed 6th in Saturday’s Superbike race and 7th in Sunday’s Superbike (doubleheader) race at Fontana last year, will be looking to put the Kawasaki ZX-6R on the box at Fontana – a position he missed by just a click at Daytona with a 4th. And joining Hacking on the sole Monster Energy-backed team will be rookie ripper Leandro Mercado, who placed 10th at Daytona, and former SuperSport champion Roger Lee Hayden.
Action at Fontana for the Monster Energy-backed AMA Pro Racing SportBike racers gets underway on Friday, March 20th and runs through Sunday the 22nd. For more information on the series check out www.amaproracing.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, 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. Hacking, Mercado, Hayden and Davies 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 Pourcel and Stroupe are 1-2 in the ESX Lites class, while JLaw, Villopoto, Hill, Wey and Kiniry are solid in the SX class 
CORONA, Calif., (March 19, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Supercross Generals are grinding into the meaty portion of the 2009 Monster Energy Supercross season, this weekend hitting up the motorsports-friendly city of St. Louis for round 12 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, at the Edward Jones Dome.
Beginning with the Eastern Supercross Lites (ESX) class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s dynamic duo of Christophe Pourcel (three main event wins) and Austin Stroupe (two main event wins) have dominated the first five races, going 5-0 heading into the St. Louis round.
According to the comprehensive statistics compiled by Feld Motorsports, Pourcel and Stroupe have pulled all but one ESX main event holeshot, with Pourcel winning Houston and Indianapolis and Stroupe rocketing out first at Atlanta and New Orleans. The two have also led the most laps in the five ESX races with Stroupe holding down 1st place for 37 laps, while Pourcel’s led 27 laps. The next-closest ESX competitor, Martin Davalos, has led only ten laps.
To further document Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s overall series dominance in the SX Lites class, after 11 rounds of racing – both ESX and WSX – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki racers have won eight of the 11 rounds!
In SX class competition Monster Energy/Kawasaki was dealt a tough blow last week when it was announced that Tim Ferry would have to undergo corrective surgery on his foot (heel) after a wreck at the Daytona International Speedway event. Rather than just field a one-man team with Ryan Villopoto, Monster Energy/Kawasaki announced this week that they have brought on former SX Lites class main event winner and multiple-time podium placer Billy Laninovich to race the final six SX class contests.
Said Monster Energy/Kawasaki team manager Mike Fisher in a recent press release: “Billy has been great for us at the test track. He has shown good speed and also continues to give us great feedback as we develop the 2009 KXT450F.”
Added Laninovich: “This is a great opportunity for me. It's an awesome feeling. Mike (Fisher) called me while I was testing and told me I would be racing this weekend. I want to race for a factory team and the Monster Energy Kawasaki team has a strong history of being one of the best in our sport.”
After a string of three podiums and two 4th place finishes in six races, Villopoto’s last three races have seen him off his mark a bit. Word in the pits is that Villopoto’s battling an illness that’s set his speed back, so the gutty 9th/6th/9th place finishes in the last three races are a testament to the multi-time SX Lites class outdoor champ’s intestinal fortitude. RV’s also been rewarded for stepping up as he’s stayed in the points and passed Josh Grant for 4th overall in the SX class standings – 165 to 152 over Grant, and is now 14 points back of Andrew Short for the third and final overall podium spot.
Also returning to the SX class after a triumphant debut at Daytona (2nd in the SX main, most laps led) is longtime Monster Energy-backed racer and defending WSX Lites champion Jason “JLaw” Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster/Troy Racing). Lawrence was spectacular in his first-ever SX class race, topping both James Stewart and Chad Reed in the qualifying practice session then leading the most laps in the Daytona SX class main before finishing 2nd.
“Yeah, we’ve been testing hard on the YZ450 the last two weeks and got some things dialed even better than we had going at Daytona,” said Lawrence. “I’ve been looking forward for two weeks now to race again. Pumped.”
Note: Lawrence will be the subject of an action sports blog feature on ESPN.com this week, written by Chris Palmer – the guy who authored Monster Energy’s Jeremy McGrath’s book “Wide Open: A life in supercross.”
Sticking with the Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing team, Nick Wey had a good main event at New Orleans this past week (12th) and is currently ranked 13th overall in the SX class point standings.
And Monster Energy’s Josh Hill’s (Yamaha) luck has GOT to change here. Hill has been putting up top-five worthy performances, only to run into a couple crazy situations the past two weekends (big pile-up at Daytona where Stewart tried to ride off on Hill’s bike, then Mike Alessi looping out in the whoops after Hill passed him and his bike ended up taking Hill out as well).
“The plan is to stay focused, continue with what’s been working well and hope we catch a break,” said Hill. “I was 16th last year at St. Louis and most definitely plan on improving on that number here this weekend.”
Also: Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki racer Bobby Kiniry will reportedly race St. Louis, even though he got run over by Ivan Tedesco at New Orleans in what was easily the weekend’s most graphic crash (and fortunately didn’t end up worse for Kiniry). Teammate Paul Carpenter is ‘questionable’ for St. Louis (ribs).
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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Attention Army!
We've just launched the first ever Monster Army Media Player! This embedable widget allows you to take your favorite Monster Army Photos, Videos, News and post it on your Facebook, Myspace, and other social networking profiles. Don't stress over how it works, it's super simple:
1. Click on the "SHARE" button at the top of the Media Player
2. Click on the network you want to post to (or copy the embed code)
3. Chill out -- you're done.
Oh and the best part, once they're up on your profile we'll automatically update them with the newest and freshest content we have!
Click HERE to get the player!
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Stroupe’s victorious in the ESX Lites class at the Superdome, takes over 2nd in o/a points behind teammate Pourcel 
CORONA, Calif., (March 16, 2009) – Monster Energy-backed SX Lites racer Austin Stroupe (Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) kept the team’s ESX undefeated winning streak alive when captured, in dominant wire-to-wire fashion, this past weekend’s Lites class main event at New Orleans’ Superdome, round 11 of 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.
With the win, coupled with Nico Izzi’s failure to qualify for the New Orleans SX Lites main, Stroupe takes over 2nd place in the ESX standings, 31 points back of teammate Christophe Pourcel (115-84). The Stroupe/Pourcel duo has now accounted for all five 2009 ESX main event wins – in five total rounds – with Pourcel taking three and Stroupe two.
Both riders appeared to get off to a good start in the second New Orleans SX Lites heat race, but somehow in the bedlam of the first turn Pourcel got trapped in a crowd of riders that were all forced (by Jack Carpenter) up and over the outside berm and into a pile of Tuff Blocks. And while Pourcel was able to remount and get back in the race without any damage to himself or his Kawasaki KX250F, Stroupe was clicking through the gears and passing all the way up into 2nd place early on. Impressively, Pourcel was able to fight back for 6th in the heat in order to transfer to the main.
The New Orleans Lites main event would be all Stroupe as the sophomore pro racer pulled the holeshot, then lit up the rest of the field in opening up a lead that not a single rider would challenge. Pourcel would again get tangled up at the start, but managed to come around after the first lap close to the top ten.
By lap five Stroupe had opened up a seven-second lead over former ESX champ Branden Jesseman, while Pourcel continued to patiently move up through the field, passing Matt Lemoine, Will Hahn, Daniel Blair and, on lap 14 (of 15), Darryn Durham in a back-and-forth battle to take 4th place.
Stroupe’s win would be his second of the 2009 ESX season, impressive in that he was injured right before the start of the WSX Lites season. “Sucks I haven’t been consistent – bad luck last week,” said Stroupe of his 19th place finish at Dayton the previous weekend. “But we worked hard and it’s good to come in and win a this new stadium on the Monster Supercross schedule.”
New Orleans’ Supercross class saw several Monster Energy-backed racers battling for top spots, including: Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, Josh Hill (Yamaha), Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) and Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Bobby Kiniry – all of whom transferred out of their various heat races to make the main.
In the main Monster Energy’s top guy in the SX class standings, Villopoto, got a bit sideways on the straight heading into the first turn and had to lay off the throttle for a quick second to regain control – which put him back towards the rear of the starting group (18th out of 20) after the first lap. The three other rider – Hill (7th), Kiniry (11th) and Wey (13th) – all cleared the first turn without much trouble and were moving forward with their efforts.
By the sixth lap Hill was moving up quickly, looking like he might challenge for the podium with his lap times (5th fastest on the night at 53.182) as he pushed into 5th place. Villopoto was flying as well, clawing his way back from 18th to a sniff of the top ten (11th). Hill then got onto the rear tire of Mike Alessi and ended up getting by Alessi in the whoops – only to have Alessi loop out behind him (Hill) and his bike tangled with Hill’s, knocking the Monster Energy-backed rider to the ground.
“Wasn’t his fault,” said Hill of Alessi. “He just lost control. But it was tough for me because we were running real well.”
Right before Hill went down Kiniry crashed in the sand section and, while he was trying to get up, got absolutely freight trained by Ivan Tedesco. Sore plane flight back to New York for sure for Kiniry who was able finishing the race.
Villopoto would again end up as the top Monster Energy-backed SX class finisher with a hard-earned 9th. Hill (11th) just missed the top ten on account of the wreck with Alessi and Wey was one back of hill in 12th – his best finish since round seven (San Diego).
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed supercross racers on the Monster Energy Supercross circuit is this weekend’s stop at St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome (March 21).
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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With two podium finishes – including last weekend’s win – Abbott is out of the gate strong as he looks to defend his 2008 AMA Hare & Hound Championship title 
Photo courtesy of: Kinney Jones
CORONA, Calif., (March 18, 2009) – Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Destry Abbott, the reigning AMA National Hare & Hound Championship champion, took it to the competition this past weekend at round two of the ’09 Hare & Hound Championship, winning the Superstition OHVA Park contest in El Centro, Calif., and moves into 3rd place in the overall series points standings, ten points back (73-63) of the leader David Kamp after three (of eight) rounds.
The dual loop track design at Superstition incorporated both a high speed (60 mile) and a technical 35-mile sand and rock loop in order to best test some of the nation’s top off road racers. And Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Abbott was up to the task, starting his KX450F on the first kick and taking off with the lead pack early.
“I kept it pinned and was in 4th when I got to the end of the bomb,” said Abbott. “Russ (Pearson) was leading, followed by David Pearson and David Kamo.”
Five miles into the contest Abbott got by Kamo in a fast whoop section, then began to close on David Pearson – keeping an eye on Russ Pearson who had yet to check out. Abbott would soon get by David Pearson, “cleanly,” as Abbott put it, which put him roughly 20 seconds behind leader Russ Pearson.
“Around the ten-mile mark I finally got on Russ and that’s when the battle started,” said Abbott. “I followed him for a while and then got the lead in a rocky section.” But the lead wouldn’t last long for Abbott and the battle was on!
“Russ got back by and we seemed to keep doing this over and over,” said Abbott, who added that he and Russ Pearson actually collided at one point, neither rider going down. “Pretty soon David (Pearson) caught up to us and we had a three-way battle going, which was really fun.”
With both Pearsons running into trouble (David lost his front end and Russ missed a turn), Abbott took advantage of the situation and put a gap on the two – only to stall his bike on a rocky hill. So as David Pearson got by Abbott, the Monster Energy/Kawasaki racer was able to get his bike fired and quickly caught up.
Abbott took one last shot at the lead, in a sand dune and whoop section, and went for it. “I just pinned it and pushed hard as I could because I knew we were about a mile from the finish,” he said. “This was a pretty exciting race and I rode smart and smooth – never crashes – and was really happy to get the win.”
Next up for Abbott is this weekend’s (March 20-22) WORCS round in Lake Havasu, Calif.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it Hare & Hound, 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. Destry Abbott digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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The inaugural Monster Energy “Homecoming” Ski and Snowboard Invitational at Seven Springs (Pa.) is a big hit with top women slopestyle and rail riders
 
CORONA, Calif., (March 17 , 2009) – Monster Energy-backed pro freeskier Kristi Leskinen truly stomped the landing this weekend on one of the biggest and most innovative ‘happenings’ for female skiers and snowboarders in some time with the running of her first-ever Monster Energy “Homecoming” Ski and Snowboard Invitational at Pennsylvania’s popular Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
The slopestyle and rail jam event featured top female skiers and snowboarders from all points on the map and was developed, according to Leskinen, to “create a platform of awareness around the sport and showcase the progressive riding of the top female athletes.”
“I have been dreaming of doing an event like this for years, and after all of the meticulous planning thanks to everyone’s participation and hard work, the contest went off without a hitch and could not have been any better,” said Leskinen, a Winter X Games IX medalist. “Seven Springs pulled out all the stops to make this a first class event. We look forward to making it even bigger and better in year two.
“And thanks again to my sponsor, Monster Energy, for stepping up and lending their support.”
A Pennsylvania local (Uniontown), Leskinen worked with Seven Springs’ Snow Park Technologies team to design and construct the slopestyle course with multiple rail features that would bring the best out of female skiers and snowboarders alike.
For the skiers it was Kaya Turski who would take top honors. Turski overcame a shoulder injury (suffered in practice) and blasted big on her final runs with corked 720s, switch 900s and Zero Spins. Second place went to Grete Eliassen, with the final podium spot going to Monster Energy’s home girl Leskinen. Note: Leskinen’s Monster Energy teammate on skis, superpipe specialist Sarah Burke, was also on hand for the competition.
Leading the snowboarders was Chanelle Sladics, who threw a Cab 360 and 540, followed in 2nd by Sylvia Mittermeuller (who came all the way from Germany to compete) with Maribeth Switkoff in 3rd.
Leskinen also credited her involvement with the Women’s Sports Foundation as playing a vital role in the Monster Energy “Homecoming” Ski and Snowboard Invitational, adding that the organization helped educate the female athletes on building momentum with women’s sports.
Partnering with Monster Energy, Seven Springs and Leskinen on the event were: Oakley, Rome Snowboards, Willi’s Ski & Board Shop and Freeskier magazine.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it ski and snowboards, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, 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. Kristi Leskinen digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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New Monster Army Wallpapers are available....Go Check them out!
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Absent from the Superdome since ‘02, Monster SX makes its triumphant return to the Gulf region - showing some post-Hurricane Katrina love in the Big Easy! 
CORONA, Calif., (March 12, 2009) – Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, continues its wildly popular stadium motorsports tour across the United States, this weekend returning to New Orleans’ stately Superdome for some rip-roarin’ Saturday night (March 14th) racing action.
Absent from the Gulf region since 2002, Monster Energy Supercross – and the Monster Energy-backed racers – will bring a helpful boost to the local economy as the party atmosphere in the Big Easy will no doubt draw dirt bike fans from points all over the map this weekend.
“I was pumped when I first saw New Orleans on the schedule,” said Jason “JLaw” Lawrence of the Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing team. “That stadium is huge, man. I mean you can fit most of the other stadium we race in inside the Superdome. Lot of room to work with on the floor so it’ll be interesting to see what the guys at Dirt Wurx (Monster SX’s track builders) come up with.”
Monster Energy’s JLaw was the talk of the motorcycle industry last week after his improbable fastest lap time in qualifying practice at Daytona (only rider to go sub-1:07, including Reed and Stewart), then stellar ride to a podium 2nd place finish in his first-ever SX class main. “I’m just hoping to keep it rolling this weekend,” said Lawrence. “Had a good week of practice and ready to get after it at New Orleans.”
Benefitting from Daytona despite missing out on the podium was Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto. The former multi-time MX Lites champ was held up at the start, then blitzed his way back into the top ten by the end of the opening lap. Villopoto then put on a charge – worthy of any he’s made all season – and got past a bunch of factory riders and into the No. 3 spot behind JLaw and Reed by lap 14. But a slight mistake would knock RV down a few notches and he’d wind up 6th at Daytona – though catching a break in the point standings that moved him up to 4th place overall when Josh Grant failed to make the Daytona SX main.
The news isn’t as good for Villopoto’s Monster Energy/Kawasaki teammate Tim Ferry. Word out of the Kawi camp is that he banged up his foot (heel) pretty good at Daytona and will have to sit the New Orleans round out as ‘ol “Red Dog” will be on the DL for a bit.
THIS JUST IN!!! There’s no truth to the rumor that James Stewart is going to break out Monster Energy’s Josh Hill’s Yamaha YZ450F at New Orleans. Even though Hill busted Stewart trying to steal it in front of 35,000 people at Daytona, the former Monster Energy rider has been doing a pretty good job on his own Yamaha. And Hill has too for that matter, sans a couple bad breaks in some recent mains. Heck, Hill even won his heat race at Daytona!
Other Monster Energy-backed racers looking to crack the top ten at New Orleans include Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing), who just missed transferring from his heat race (11th) and placed 3rd in the LCQ (top two transfer) at Daytona, and Bobby Kiniry (Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki), who had a spectacular race weekend two weeks ago in Indianapolis.
Whipping the Superdome SX fans into a frenzy just prior to the SX class main event will be Monster Energy’s dominating ESX Lites duo: Christophe Pourcel and Austin Stroupe. No rider other than these two has won in the first four ESX Lites main events (Pourcel 3, Stroupe 1). Pourcel, who won his third main event at Daytona last week, increased his point lead over Nico Izzi by 15 points (97-82).
“I hear a lot of people speak French in New Orleans – I hope to give them something to cheer about that I will understand!,” said Pourcel with a laugh.
Stroupe, who won the previous week’s ESX Lites main event (Indy) – had a rough go of it in the opening moments of the Daytona main, crashing in spectacular fashion and landing on a Tuff Block while his bike cart wheeled across the Daytona Speedway’s infield. With his Kawasaki KX250F bent up and unrideable, Stroupe walked off the track in disgust – but did manage to hold on to 3rd place in the overall ESX standings despite three-point weekend.
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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Pierre Luc “PLG” Gagnon, Jake Brown & Alex Perelson to throw down on vert, fueled of course by Monster – the Clash @ Clairemont’s official energy drink!
CORONA, Calif., (March 12, 2009) – Nothing like opening the ’09 skate season for a good cause – and no one at Monster Energy HQ can’t think of a better one than this Saturday’s (March 14) Pac Sun Clash @ Clairemont 3 at Mission Valley YMCA Bike and Skatepark (San Diego), fueled by Monster Energy, and benefitting the Grind For Life cure for cancer program and the Krause Family.
Monster Energy product will flow freely to insure everyone’s peaking when Monster skaters PLG, Jake Brown & Alex Perelson hit the halfpipe at noon for the Pro Vert Demo.
“Heck yeah I’m stoked,” yelled Jake Brown into his cell phone above the din of some loud punk music, whereabouts unknown. “The Clash @ Clairemont is always a rad way to start the skate season. It’s a demo, so there’s no pressure, and fans can count not only on seeing everyone go big – but I’m sure there’ll be some new tricks broke out that guys have been working on during the off season.
“On top of that the proceeds go to a real good cause.”
In addition to the Monster Energy pros, top street skaters like Ryan Scheckler, young vert skaters Elliott Sloan and Adam Taylor, top women’s vert skater Mimi Knoop, current vert pros Bucky Lasek and Andy McDonald, legends Mike McGill, Chris Miller and Tony Magnusson – along with ULTRA Legends Duane Peters, Steve Olson and Christian Hosoi.
“It’s going to be insane. I’m bringing an extra blank deck just for autographs,” said Perelson.
In addition to the epic skate session, top flight vert BMXers Kevin Robinson and Simon Tabron will show off while DJs Earthbound spin music, followed by local bands After-School All-Stars, Grandview, Prosthetic Arms and Scarlet Symphony.
The Clash @ Clairemont 3’s – fueled by Monster Energy – schedule is as follows:
10:00 a.m. Gates Open ($10 to get in)
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Music Stage: After-School All-Stars
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Best Trick Street Skate Practice
11:30 - 12:00 p.m. Best Trick Street Skate Contest
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Pro Vert Demo - Skate and BMX
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Pro Demo Street
2:00 - 2:30 p.m. Music Stage: Grandview
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Pro Autograph Session
3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Music Stage: Prosthetic Arms
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Pro & Legends Bowl Demo
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Music Stage: Scarlet Symphony
5:30 p.m. Gates Close
From www.grindforlife.org : “The mission of the Grind For Life organization is to provide financial assistance to cancer patients and their families when traveling long distances to doctors and hospitals. In addition, we educate and inspire these patients and families concerning cancer survival and recovery. Those who qualify may request assistance for travel and lodging expenses, meal, and personal needs. Funds for this organization will be raised by, but not limited to, hosting skateboarding events and festivals, ebay sales of donated goods, fundraiser's, Grind For life sponsors a skateboard team to perform at these events to keep the spirit of skateboarding alive.”
For more information on the Clash @ Clairemont 3, fueled by Monster Energy, hit up the event’s website at: www.pacsunclashatclairemont.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it Grind for Life and the Krause Family, 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. PLG, Jake Brown and Alex Perelson dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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...an mechanical failure causes him to suffer a rare DNF 
Photos courtesy of Joe Colombero
CORONA, Calif., (March 10, 2009) – Defending World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) runner-up, Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich, looked like he was about to take the opening round of the 2009 AMA Western Hare Scrambles Series hosted at Ryan Hughes’ Rynoland in Anza, Calif., but some tough luck with a mechanical failure would spell the end to his race-leading ways and render him unable to finish.
Dietrich, aboard his reliable ISDE gold medal-winning Kawasaki KX450F, caught defending Western Hare Scrambles champion Brian Garahan – who had pulled the holeshot – early in the race and took off, putting a bunch of time between himself and a field that included top western off road racers Justin Soule, Tim Weigand, Nick Brozovich, Kendal Norman, Robby Bell, Ryan Orr and Kyle Summers.
At the two-hour mark of the race Dietrich’s equipment issues would arise and one of America’s top off road racers unfortunately had to call it a day.
“Every guy here today, and everyone that’s ever raced off road knows how I’m feeling right now,” said Dietrich in disgust. “All this will do is help to motivate me for the rest of the season with whatever I’m racing.”
Next up for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki off road racers will be the WORCS’ third round in Lake Havasu, Calif. (March 20-22).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it enduro, 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. Ricky Dietrich, Destry Abbott and Damon Huffman dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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FMX Awards’ “Best Trick of ‘08” could be Loza’s BANANAS Electric Doom!
CORONA, Calif., (March 10, 2009) – Attention Monster Army members…we need you to pause what you’re doing and hit up www.fmxawards.com and vote for Monster Energy General Kyle Loza, who’s in the running for the “Best Trick of 2008” award with his bananas trick dubbed “Electric Doom.”
“I am all about having scary fun,” said Loza, who added he’s got some new stuff in store for fans at X Games ‘09. “Inventing new tricks is scary fun for me. I was stoked to win the FMX Awards Best Trick for 2007 and would be psyched to win the award for 2008. Thanks for voting for me.”
Loza’s Electric Doom, a trick which earned Loza the ESPN X Games’ FMX Best Trick gold medal this past summer in Los Angeles, is one of the five featured tricks. The SoCal native, who first unveiled the trick at the inaugural ESPN Moto-X World Championships back in April – but failed to land it cleanly – pulled it clean at the X Game and rode away (sort of). As you recall, in the tight confines next to the skateboard MegaRamp, Loza landed, then shot off to the side and cleared out foam safety barrier, along with a couple paramedics seeking safety behind it, and eventually came to a stop in a corridor next to some other frightened townspeople. Fortunately no one was injured and Loza managed to stay on his feet the entire time.
Said Loza at the time: “Yeah, that landing was pretty crazy. Glad the judges felt I’d pulled the trick clean and awarded me the score that’d get me the gold. Thanks again to Monster for everything.”
Note: Last year Loza won 2007’s FMX Awards “Best Trick” with his above-the-bike body varial called the “Volt.”
Again, to vote for Monster Army Gen. Loza, proceed to www.fmxawards.com
Carry on, soldier!
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it getting engaged, 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. Kyle Loza digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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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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BMX dirt/park freestyle icon scores a BMX race bike from fellow Monster athlete Dave Mirra, rocks back in the starting gate & pedals to 1st place in his class!
CORONA, Calif., (March 9 , 2009) – You know where pretty much all of Monster Energy’s top FMX guys got their starts? Yeah, racing motocross. Well it’s no different in freestyle BMX as Monster Energy’s dirt/park icon – Ryan Guettler – just checked in with a pic of a big-assed BMX racing trophy he just won at the ’09 Winter National in Phoenix!
The rip-roarin’ Aussie got back to the States from a trip home just in time to pull on a long sleeve T-shirt and some Vans to have some fun with the shoe company’s BMX team manager, Jerry Badders, racing old s’cool BMX in Phoenix.
Guettler, best known as being the only athlete to sweep the Dew Tour’s BMX Dirt and BMX Park in the same season (2005), got word that buddy Cory “Nasty” Nastazio was going to run the race so, as they say, “It was on!”
“Mirra hooked me up with a bike (Mirraco Bikes), Vans got me dialed with gear on Thursday and I practiced for one day at Sheephills (Calif.), got my berms and race sprints on, then flew to Phoenix that night,” said Guettler. “On Friday at the track I did a few starts, but I soon realized that I suck at gate starts and was getting waxed by every man and his dog – even a little girl on a pink bike with a basket on smoked me off the line (laughter).”
But you’re not keeping a guy that can double back flip down too long and pretty soon Guettler was on it, stepping up and finding the right lines while riding fast and smooth. “I knew Nasty used to race and he’s fast, jumped all the triples and easily won his class,” said Guettler. “My class was harder for me to win, but I came through and won and am pumped as heck. One of the most fun days I’ve had in a long time!”
Guettler sent a shout out to all the guys that helped him out at the track with pointers and stuff, along with Badders and Mirra.
“‘Dig deep and pedal it like you stole it!’ was the best advice somebody gave me,” he said.
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. Ryan Guettler digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Is it real? Well heck yeah it is! Former X Games gold medalist Jones stars in the latest AXE commercial – and you can see it right here on Monster’s websites
CORONA, Calif., (March 9, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Adam Jones, former X Games gold medalist and all around good guy, stars in the latest AXE Body Spray commercial which features Jones pulling off his latest trick – a double pits to chesty!
“It took a couple weeks in the foam pit, but I finally got it wired,” said Jones. “Not sure if I’ll pull it at the Dew tour or X this summer. We’ll see.”
Airing (out his pits) already in the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe, Jones’ “Monster Energy” logo running down the jaw line of his helmet is featured prominently throughout the commercial.
Check it out:
 
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it FMX, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, 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. Adam Jones digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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South Lake Tahoe, Calif. - March 9, 2009 - United States America Snowboard Association and Monster Energy announced today that the two brands have reached a multi-year deal.The 2009 USASA Nationals will be held at Copper Mountain, CO on April 6th-10th.The attendance expected to be over 1600 competitors and 10,000 spectators. In addition, the USASA Regional's season begins in November 2009 at 33 regions , and over 100 resorts and 500 events throughout the US.
"Monster Energy is very excited and proud to be a sponsor of the USASA. Our major initiative is to be involved with snowboarding on a developmental and grassroots level. We would like to be infused in snowboarding and give back to the sport. What better way to do so than to partner up with an organization that promotes amateur snowboarders as well as the sport of snowboarding. The USASA is a perfect alliance that will help us achieve our goals."
John Lee-Director of Sports Marketing ,Monster Energy
"We are stoked to be working with Monster Energy at both the Regional and National level. Monster understands that the grassroots of snowboarding is key to developing the future pros of our sport. Most of the US pros have come through the USASA and they all credit the organization for being their pathway to becoming professionals. With the help of Monster Energy we can continue to provide that path for future generations of competitive snowboarders!"
Jason Toutolmin-Executive Director, USASA
"USASA is thrilled with our new partnership with Monster Energy. It's great to have a company on board that supports not only the sport of snowboarding, but that is committed to helping move USASA as an organization to the next level."
Miah Wheeler - Head Coach, PacSun USASA Snowboard
"This relationship will prove to be a win win for USASA and Monster Energy. Both brands have the same common connection and together they will help raise the awareness of snowboarding and the success of the sports athletes on and off the snow!"
Robert Graff-CEO, Graffy,Inc.
About Monster Energy
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it snowboarding, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, surf, 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. Danny Kass digs 'em - so will you. On the 'Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
About USASA
United States of America Snowboard Association is dedicated to supporting recreational and competitive snowboarding within 33 regional series throughout the United States of America. Since 1988, USASA has fostered the competitive spirit of snowboard athletes and developed a solid grassroots organization that allows boys and girls of all ages and abilities to participate in over 500 organized snowboard events that qualify for national and international competition.
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Monster Energy’s Jamie Hacking (4th) and Leandro Mercado (10th) are joined in the top ten by Chaz Davies (7th) in inaugural AMA SportBike race at Daytona
 
CORONA, Calif., (March 9, 2009) – Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking raced to a solid 4th place finish at the AMA Pro Road Racing Series’ inaugural SportBike class race this past weekend under the lights in the 68th annual Daytona 200 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Hacking, aboard the Kawasaki ZX-6R, was joined in the SportBike class’ top ten overall standings by Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki rookie teammate Leandro Mercado (10th), along with Monster Energy-backed Chaz Davies (7th) from the Aprilia factory team.
The top Kawasaki qualifier, Hacking brought his ZX-6R around on the 3.55-mile course in 1:50.516. Davis was close behind Hacking, qualifying in 15th place at 1:50.750. And Mercado, competing in his first-ever Daytona 200, clocked a 1:52.072 to qualify in 24th position.
In the main event Hacking would wind up about five seconds back of Jason DiSalvo for the third and final podium spot.
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed AMA Pro Racing SportBike racers will be round two of the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing Series held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., March 20-22.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, 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. Hacking, Mercado, Hayden and Davies dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy-backed Jason “JLaw” Lawrence makes a powerful statement in SX class (2nd) debut, while Monster/PC/Kawi’s Christophe Pourcel wins ESX Lites 
CORONA, Calif., (March 9, 2009) – Longtime Monster Energy-backed MX/SX racer Jason Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) stepped up when and where it really counted – in front of all the motorcycle industry brass at the annual Daytona (Fla.) Bike Week’s supercross at Daytona International Speedway – dazzling everybody with his blazing speed in his inaugural SX class race, dominating the practice times and darn near winning the main event.
Lawrence, who got out of the start strong aboard his privateer Yamaha YZ450F – and missed the trouble caused by James Stewart’s wreck at the first turn – quickly reeled in, caught and dispensed of factory Suzuki race leader Mike Alessi, then led the Daytona main event from laps three through 16. And though Lawrence would respectfully hand over the lead to Chad Reed, he still had enough in the tank to hold off factory Honda’s Davi Millsaps for 2nd place, along with a charging Alessi and factory Honda’s Kevin Windham.
“Chad (Reed) was able to make up a lot of time late in the race, closed the gap and got right up on me late and I didn’t try to be the hero or anything – just backed it down,” said Lawrence. “But I’m stoked, my first SX main event ever and I’m on the podium.”
Added Reed: “I’m happy for JLaw. He gets a lot of flack but he’s a good kid. I’m happy for him.”
Lawrence let it be known early that he was planning on making a statement in his first-ever SX class race, raising industry eyebrows in the timed pro practice by topping both Stewart and Reed with the only sub-1:07 lap time in practice (1:06.998). From there Lawrence ran a fast and consistent heat race, finishing 3rd behind heat two winner - Monster Energy’s Josh Hill (Yamaha). The rest was history at the #338 bike led almost the entire main event before placing 2nd.
On the Monster Energy/Kawasakis it was Ryan Villopoto, rebounding from a sub-par performance at the Indianapolis SX (RV dealt with the effects of the flu at Indy) and nearly scoring a podium finish at Daytona when he passed Alessi and Windham to get into 3rd place on lap 14 – only to stall his bike on the following lap and ended up settling on 6th place.
“Frustrating,” said Villopoto of what went down at Daytona. “My fault entirely.”
However, Villopoto did benefit from Josh Grant not making the main event and launched past Grant for 4th place overall in the standing, 153-138.
But about the craziest night was put in by Monster Energy’s Hill. Transferring to the main on a high note by winning his heat – his first heat race win of the season – Hill was involved in the wreck caused by Stewart and hit the deck, along with numerous other riders in the massive first turn pile up. Upon getting up to find his No. 75 Yamaha in the mess of tangled bikes and riders, Hill came upon a dazed and confused Stewart who was trying to mount Hill’s bike! Awfully nice about it, Hill was frantically tapping Stewart on the back and pointing to Stewart’s No. 7 Yamaha that had bounced off the track. Crazy as it all was, Hill was able to remount and put on a good ride to come back from almost last place to nearly making the top ten (11th).
Things didn’t go quite as well for Villopoto’s teammate Tim Ferry, who was banged up (reported foot/heel injury) early in the race and was unable to finish and Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) who just missed transferring from his heat race (11th) and placed 3rd in the LCQ (top two transfer).
In the ESX Lites division at Daytona Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel won his third main event (out of four) and increased his point lead over Nico Izzi by 15 points (97-82).
“Daytona is a great win for me and the Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team,” said Pourcel. “There is so much racing tradition here, I really enjoyed my weekend at Daytona International Speedway and look forward to racing again here.”
Pourcel’s teammate, Austin Stroupe – the winner of the previous week’s ESX Lites main event (Indy) – had a rough go of it in the opening moments of the Daytona main, crashing in spectacular fashion and landing on a Tuff Block while his bike cart wheeled across the Daytona Speedway’s infield. With the bike bent up and unrideable, Stroupe walked off the track in disgust – but did manage to hold on to 3rd place in the overall ESX standings despite the pointless weekend.
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed supercross racers is Monster Energy Supercross’ return to the New Orleans Superdome, March 14, round 11 of the 16-round series.
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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Heyooo everyone,
Just wanted to give you guys a little update! I was just in Europe last week on an Onboard Magazine shoot, there will be an update from me on Fuel.tv soon. I just got home today and I'll be heading back out to film with Standard Films wherever is good for a few weeks until women's superpark. Than its MGT Norquay, AK trip with Snowboarder and then some more filming after that.
Here are some little interview type stuff online that I did recently:
http://vancouverisawesome.com/?p=5391
http://christychaloux.transworld.net/2009/02/27/true-or-false-friday-leanne-pelosi/
http://christychaloux.transworld.net/2009/02/23/snowy-quebec/
Hope all is well, and hope to see you guys soon!!!
:)
Leanne
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Putting an edge on skis is pretty easy. Putting an edge on a brand is a bit different, and that’s where Monster Energy stepped up to help ski industry giant Nordica
 
Photos courtesy of Nordica
CORONA, Calif., (March 6, 2009) – Up and running since the snow started flying, the Monster Energy partnership with Nordica USA for the 2009 Monster Energy & Nordica Demo Tour has been deemed a solid success by officials at both companies as the North American ski season nears its final couple months of activity nationwide.
The idea for the unique partnership came about at a motocross race of all things. Nordica’s Andy Hare looked to Monster Energy as a means to not only co-promote the brands, but also as a way for the longtime ski industry giant to strengthen its position with younger freestyle and park skiers. So America’s No. 1 by-volume sales energy drink, Monster Energy, would serve as the perfect fit in helping deliver that younger demographic, doing so at demos and trade shows across the United States.
“The response from the skiers has been what we expected – excellent,” said Hare. “Our product reps have stepped up and worked to incorporate the partnership into their own on-snow marketing efforts and, in turn, the Monster Energy brand has helped deliver additional interest, especially from the pipe and park crowd with Nordica’s freestyle line of skis.”
And on the same hand Monster Energy’s visibility at the nation’s ski areas continues to rise up the charts, now thanks in part to its partnership with Nordica.
“Though ski area parking lots still feature a lot of expensive cars and Gucci-wearing après skiers, that’s certainly not who Monster Energy caters to,” explained Monster Energy’s John Lee, Director of Sports Marketing. “Our customers are the ones who drove all night and maybe caught a few hours sleep in their car before booting up, or roll off a couch well before sunrise to make sure the chairlifts are up and running. Monster Energy works with the backbone of the ski industry – the young, up-and-coming core athletes who represent the future of the ski industry, along with the core mountain employees who groom the runs and build the parks.”
From the state of Washington down to California, over to Nevada and up through Utah, Idaho and Montana, then across the Midwest – with stops in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, then up in the eastern states of Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, Monster Energy and Nordica have teamed up on numerous on-snow ski demos, ramping people up on samples of Monster product and sending them out on the industry’s best-built ski equipment.
“I’m traveling all over the country and hearing from everybody how cool it is that Nordica and Monster have hooked up,” said pro freeskier Peter Olenick, who just happens to be backed by both companies. “I’m like ‘Right on, I’m all about the synergy!’”
For more information regarding the upcoming Monster Energy & Nordica Demo Tour ’09 dates, link to: www.nordicacompetition.com
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it skiing, 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. Everybody running, tuning, testing and selling Nordica product will be diggin’ ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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A BIG “Congrats!” from everyone at Monster Energy HQ to Kyle & Casey
CORONA, Calif., (March 5, 2009) – This just in…Monster Energy’s FMX extraordinaire – Kyle Loza – just dropped the “Will you…” question to his girlfriend, Casey Partridge, on a beach in Laguna, Calif., and got the equivalent of a stomped landing off a Volt answer back when Casey said “Yes!”
Though the thought of it probably danced around in his ultra-creative mind, in the end getting “Would you marry me, Casey?” tattooed on his forehead was shelved for the more traditional oratory method with sand between their toes on the beach.
“From everyone at Monster Energy we’d like to congratulate Kyle and Casey and wish them the best of luck with everything,” said John Lee, Director of Sports Marketing for Monster Energy.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it getting engaged, 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. Kyle Loza digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Holland calls the Baker win his “Biggest of the year,” gets his name on a plaque that includes such snowboard legends as Sims, Palmer, Kelly & HaakensonBy Pat Schutte
 
Photos courtesy of Mt. Baker
CORONA, Calif., (March 5, 2009) – For core snowboarders it doesn’t get any bigger than the Legendary Mt. Baker Banked Slalom. And for Monster Energy’s Nate Holland, winning the event was the highlight of his epic completion year – a year that included a fourth-straight Winter X Games Boarder-X gold medal.
The longest-running snowboard competition in the United States, the Legendary Baker Banked Slalom, which began in 1985 and is hosted at one of the gnarliest ski areas in the U.S. – Mt. Baker – is considered by many to be the proving grounds for, lack of a better way to put it, those having the balls of a burglar. A high speed dive from wall-to-wall through a steep valley and into man-made berms that rail you around like you’re on a slot car track, the pucker factor running the Baker is about as high as it gets. To win it puts you in an exclusive class that includes snowboard greats like Tom Sims, Monster Energy’s Shaun Palmer, the late Craig Kelly, Canadian Olympic gold medalist Ross Rebagliati, Monster Energy MX Crossover winner Matt Goodwill, Terje Haakenson and Temple Cummins.
And now you can add to that list Monster Energy’s own Nate Holland.
“Winning the Baker ranks right up there with winning gold at the X Games – if not higher,” said Holland. “I mean, this is the Baker Banked Slalom. I grew up in the northwest knowing about that race since I started snowboarding. It’s a gold mine just to get into the race. Once I got in and got a couple podiums (3rd in 2005 and ’07), then started getting invitations back – I knew I’d arrived. It’s definitely one of the highlights of my career to get my name on the plaque with the likes of Craig Kelly, Shaun Palmer, Terje Haakenson and Temple Cummins.”
Holland’s main competition this year would come from fellow boardercross racers Graham Watanabe and Seth Wescott – although Holland stressed that the race is more of a hyper-fast free ride than it is a boardercross-like contest, with winners coming out of both the free rider style of snowboarders (Kelly, Haakenson) as well as from the racing side of things (Rebagliati).
Topped by Watanabe in qualifying, Holland says he put some added pressure on himself by placing a side bet with Wescott heading into main event – one that will pay dividends on an upcoming trip to Alaska later this month. “I had a little side bet going with Wescott for some AK heli time, so that added some more pressure on both of us – but I seem to respond well under pressure,” said Holland.
Gating in the 9th spot after qualifying, Holland said the top of the course was unusually tight due to the lack of snow. He watched as a few riders ate shit, including Wescott. So Holland played it smart up top, then stomped on the gas once he got out of the upper portion of the course.
“There wasn’t that much snow in the canyon up top, first four turns were super, super tight and you couldn’t open it up too hard,” said Holland. “Then once you started to get out of that section it opened up in full, classic Baker Banked Slalom. At the ‘Tree,’ rocks started popping up everywhere and it got pretty rutty. I almost went down like five different times – but was able to hang on. Fired it up on the bottom part of the course and was pumped to come across the finish line 1st in my first run.”
With nothing to lose Holland let ‘er snap on his second run, and ended up augering in.
“It’s funny because, as insane as it get there, it’s also a game of patience,” he said. “I was able to win because I didn’t get greedy with my turns and just rode the high line.”
As much of a ‘happening’ for core snowboarders as it is a competition, the Legendary Baker Banked Slalom is a global reunion sorts for many of the word’s best-known big mountain riders. And Holland killing it in the actual race portion of the event was only a part of what went down all week long.
“Baker’s a full free ride race,” explained Holland. “We were there a week total, getting some good powder rides in higher up. We all had peeps and shovels and hiked out on the Shuckson Arm every day and did a couple laps up there, dropped some lines, rode some pow and just kind of chilled out in Glacier where there’s no cell phones, computers or television – I mean you’re out there. Nice to get off the boardercross circuit for a while and being able to win the Baker was just the cherry on top.”
Holland’s home in Truckee, Calif., the rest of the week then it’s off to the final two World Cup boardercross events in Europe. Stay tuned to Monster Energy’s websites for Holland’s results from overseas.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it snowboards, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, ski, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Nate Holland digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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We’ll race on the hybrid supercross/MX national track - designed by Monster’s Ricky Carmichael - and built on the Daytona International Speedway infield! 
CORONA, Calif., (March 5, 2009) – Monster Energy’s supercross racers are in Florida this weekend as the centerpiece attraction for “Bike Week,” the popular destination for motorcycle enthusiasts of all sorts - with the epicenter being the legendary Daytona International Speedway and the running Saturday’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race on the motor speedway’s infield.
One of the more rough, rugged and demanding courses on the Monster Energy Supercross circuit, this year’s track was designed by none other than Monster Energy’s NASCAR Truck Series driver, Ricky Carmichael.
“I was thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to lay out the course last year and return the Daytona Supercross By Honda back to its roots,” said Carmichael, who won the Daytona Supercross six times from 1998 to 2006 including four-straight wins from 2000 to 2003 . “The Daytona Supercross has always had a special place in my heart and I’m looking forward to seeing what drama unfolds in this year’s race.”
Looking for a bit of redemption this weekend will be Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto. Last week at Indianapolis’ new Lucas Oil Stadium Villopoto (reportedly feeling the ill effects of a flu-like virus) certainly didn’t race up to his standards, starting well outside the top ten and racing back hard to salvage a 9th place finish – one spot ahead of teammate Tim Ferry (10th). Out front of rival Josh Grant for 4th place overall in the SX class standings heading into Indy, the two are now tied for 4th, each with 138 points.
Last year, in the SX Lites class, Villopoto placed 2nd to Trey Canard at Daytona, while Ferry was sidelined with an injury. “Daytona’s a hometown race for me so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of friends and family out at the Speedway this weekend,” said the veteran Ferry, who was on the Daytona podium (2nd) as far back as 2002. “The track can be punishing and, with Ricky designing it, I’m sure it’ll be a solid test for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki team and the rest of the racers.”
Monster Energy’s Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) and Josh Hill (Yamaha) both made the main event last year in the mud at Daytona. The conditions were horrible, with standing water everywhere, but the race went on as planned. “That’s the cool thing about our sport I guess,” said Wey. “Rain or shine we’re out there racing. Not many other forms of motorsport can say that.”
Rounding out the SX class and running the Monster Energy M-claw logo will be Bobby Kiniry (Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki), who had an excellent weekend at Indy, and Jason Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing), who is scheduled to make his SX class debut as well. Lawrence practiced at Indy last week, was the fifth-fasted rider out there, but couldn’t run his qualifier due to stomach cramps.
In the ESX Lites class Monster Energy is led by last week’s Indy winner, Austin Stroupe (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) and his teammate, ESX series leader Christophe Pourcel (72 points). The two have won every event thus far on the ESX tour and are both on the overall podium (Stroupe’s 3rd, trailing Nico Izzi by five points, 62-57, for 2nd).
So dominant have Stroupe and Pourcel been, they’ve virtually put up the fastest lap times at each event, dominated the holeshots, won the majority of heat races and, had it not been for a bobble by Stroupe in the main event at Atlanta, been 1-2 in the overall ESX points.
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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 DANIEL WATKINS DEJA VU
WAKE GAMES RD 4
MARCH 28 & 29 STONEY PARK - PORT MACQUARIE
Our season ending party for Wakegames will be at Stoney Park, Port Macquarie.
Everyone is welcome for a weekend for wakeboarding behind the latest range of Tige Boats, on the slider park behind jetski's, in the winch lagoon behind an Urban Rider Winch and on a slalom ski thru the slalom course. DJV Pro Staff will be on hand to lend advice and give you the tips you need to master your moves
It's a full weekend of as much freeriding and skiing as you can handle for just $130
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Thomas kicks off the GNCC season with a hard-fought podium finish in the dry and dusty conditions in River Ranch, Fla., teammate Dave Snyder a career-best 6th
CORONA, Calif., (March 4, 2009) – The Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha team opened the 2009 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, aka the “GNCCs,” yesterday with a podium finish as XC2 class racer Jason Thomas came across the line in 2nd place on the grueling 12 mile, dry sand and whooped-out course set in River Ranch, Fla. And Thomas’ Monster Energy-charged teammate, Dave Snyder, would put up a career-best 6th place finish in the XC2 class.
A great run at the holeshot would benefit both Thomas and Snyder who were 2nd and 3rd, respectively, heading into the woods after the mass start. But once in the woods severe dust conditions all but eradicated their run on the race leader as both riders would later report there were times they nearly had to come to a stop in order to see where they were riding.
“I got a good start and was pushing hard all day long,” said Snyder. “But I had a big crash and lost the leader, could never gain back what I lost in the crash.”
When the air cleared on the first lap Thomas was in 2nd and Snyder in 5th. The two would hold those positions through the first pit for gas, water and goggles – and held their ground through the white flag and, eventually, the checkers (with Snyder giving up just on spot, 5th to 6th).
“I came off the line in the top three and lost a few spots on the first lap,” said Snyder. “I tried to stay out of trouble all day and just kept pushing as hard as I could. This is my best finish ever!”
Note: Thomas and Snyder’s Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha teammate Josh Weisenfels was unable to compete due to a shoulder injury.
Next up for the Monster Energy/Fred Andrews Racing/Yamaha GNCC racing team is the Washington, Ga., round on March 8th.
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. Fred Andrews’ boyz digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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10 Questions w/ Ryan Villopoto
What was the hardest part in making the jump to the 450 class?
I think the hardest part of moving up to the 450 is not really knowing where you’re at. You come in doing all the things you have done on a 250 and just don't know if it's going to be enough. What are you expectations/goals for the outdoor season?
Obviously to be on the box, but I think I really have what it takes to run up front.
READ MORE This Month's Mission Last month we ran two Missions simultaneously, "Who is Monster?" and "My Monster Commercial". We have some awesome entries in both but we want more! We're extending the Missions through March to give the Army more time to submit entries. Check out the two Missions below:  
Featured Solider Spotlight This month's Soldier Spotlight is Scott Nikkel, a Skiier from Truckee, CA..
Check out videos and more photos of Scott HERE.
 Featured Monster Army Gear Jail Bird
Normal Price: $23.50
Monster Army Price: $16.00
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 Who loves Khaos? Tell us HERE
2009 Sponsorship
Want to recieve discounts on Monster Army Apparel and Free product? Apply for Sponsorship for your chance! |       | |
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Former UCI World Cup champion Hill leads the M-claw charge on the WC circuit, intent on winning back that ’07 men’s elite downhill title he lost last year!
CORONA, Calif., (March 5, 2009) – Monster Energy’s international duo of elite class World Cup downhill mountain bike racers – Australia’s Sam Hill and the UK’s Brendan Fairclough – are just under a month away from hitting the road on the 2009 UCI World Cup MTB championships, beginning with their ‘official’ travel/training scheduled for April 1st in South Africa.
Hill, a two-time World Cup downhill champ, and Fairclough, the 2006 Junior World Cup champion, will be running the new Specialized Demo 8 bikes in racing action and training on the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR trail bikes.
“We’re all pretty stoked to be heading into the World Cup season with Monster Energy having our backs again, as well as Specialized being on board this year,” said Team Monster Energy/Specialized manager Sean Heimdal. “With these two industry-leading brands and the support of all our co-sponsors, we’re coming into the season prepared better than ever!”
For as dominant as he was in 2007, Hill was equally fast in ’08 – though running into a bit of difficulty in the “consistency” department. The Aussie lost his grip on the UCI World Cup mountain bike elite downhill class’ overall points lead at 2008’s penultimate World Cup round at Canberra, Austria. So he had a tough battle ahead of him at the final round in Schladming (Austria), where he had to win in order to defend his overall title. And though that didn’t happen, Hill had run the leader’s jersey for longer than any racer on the ’08 series, but an uncharacteristic non-podium finish (11th) at Canberra would be what toppled the champ from atop his throne.
Hill figures that 2009 will be an entirely different story as he’s aboard a proven winning bike and is looking forward to getting things rolling here soon. “2009 is going to be awesome, I’m stoked to be back on the Monster Energy program and to be working with such cool people,” said Hill. “It's awesome to have Brendan as a teammate again. I pretty much want to win back the rainbow stripes and the World Cup series title this summer. I’m confident that I have the equipment and team to make it happen, so I’m looking forward to it.”
For Fairclough, expectations will no doubt be higher for the five-time British national MTB champ. At only 20 years old he’ll be competing in his sophomore season with Monster Energy on the UCI World Cup tour and now knows the circuits, as well as what to expect from the competition. “I’m stoked to be back on the Monster program for the 09 season,” he said. “I had a good season with them in 08 and am hoping for a much better one in 09. I am more motivated than ever to train and get back on to the podium. My big focus for 09 is to be on the podium with Sam every race, and to have a top 5 number board at the end of the year. The world champs in 09 are in Canberra and on a track that will not suit my style, so my big goal over the winter was to change that and become a much stronger athlete for this track.”
The 2009 competition schedule for Team Monster Energy/Specialized includes:
* April 10-12 World Cup DH #1- Pietermaritzburg - South Africa
* April 17-19 Sea Otter- Monterey, California
* May 8-10 World Cup DH #2- La Bresse, France
* May 15-17 World Cup DH #3- Vallnord, Andorra
* May 22-24 US Open- Vernon, New Jersey
* June 5-7 World Cup DH #4- Fort William, Scotland
* June 19-21 World Cup DH #5- Maribor, Slovenia
* July 24-26 World Cup DH #6- MSA, Quebec
* July 31-August 2 World Cup DH #7- Bromont, Quebec
* August 7-16 Crankworx- Whistler, BC
* Sept 3-6 World Championships- Canberra, Australia
* Sept 18-20 World Cup Finals- Schladming, Austria
* Sept 22-25- Interbike
Joining Monster Energy and Specialized Bicycles in assisting Hill and Fairclough are: Mad Catz, Air Drives, SRAM, FUNN, e.thirteen components, SDG USA, RockShox, DT Swiss, Obtainium, Troy Lee Designs, AVID, Crankbrothers, Maxima, Alligator Cables, Truvativ, Five-Ten, Freestyle Watches, Go Pro, KMC and Kicker.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MTB, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, 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. Sam Hill & Brendan Fairclough dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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Roger Hayden & Jamie Hacking return to run the Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki SportBike class and are joined by rookie racer Leandro Mercado
 
CORONA, Calif., (March 4, 2009) – The AMA Pro Road Racing series opens this week in Daytona Beach, Fla., at the legendary Daytona International Speedway and Monster Energy will again be well-represented with two familiar names – and a third you should hear about real quick – aboard the Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki Ninja ZX™-6Rs.
Former AMA champions Roger Hayden and Jamie Hacking - along with defending Daytona 200 champion, Monster Energy-backed Chaz Davies (Aprilia) - will lead the Monster Energy assault on America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, contesting the newly-formed AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class. In addition, the Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki team just added a new racer, 17-year-old Argentinean Leandro Mercado, to run the SportBike class as well. All four Monster Energy-backed competitors will contest this weekend’s 68th annual Daytona 200 – run for the first time under the lights at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, March 6th.
“I’m looking forward to ride the Daytona 200 again,” said Hacking. “It seems I’ve finished in every other position but on top. I definitely want to go after a win. The Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki team has a great reputation at this race so it makes me feel confident. I’ve heard great reviews about the new ZX-6R and I’m ready to go out and ride it.”
Elevating the 600cc ZX-6R to AMA Road Racing’s premier class (vs. the 1000cc AMA Superbikes in past years) should bode well for both Hayden and Hacking. In 2006 and 2007 the two won back-to-back championships (Hacking in 2006, Hayden in ’07) in the then AMA Supersport class (now called the AMA Daytona SportBike class). And in 2007 Hacking was the runner-up to Hayden in the Supersport class, having won the Supersport championship in 2003 as well. So between the two Monster Energy-backed racers there’s three championships on the 600cc bikes, which gives them a definite advantage off the starting grid for this year’s SportBike championship chase!
“Daytona has been good to me over the years in the 600 class,” said Hayden. “Its going to be challenging riding the Daytona 200, but it’s definitely going to be fun. Now that I’m all healed from my injuries last year, I really want to go after my second championship in 2009 and the ZX-6R is really going to be the bike to beat.”
For Mercado, though it’ll be a bit of a learning year, he joins a team that features two established professionals that will no doubt have a positive influence on the teenage throughout the 2009 competition season. “I am really pleased with the Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki team’s professional approach, as well as the technical skills of the Ninja,” said Mercado. “And even though everything is new to me – including the experience of racing at night – I am proud I have been given this chance (to race AMA SportBikes) in such a difficult time these days.”
Practice for the 68th annual AMA/Daytona opener begins today.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, 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. Hayden, Hacking, Mercado and Davies dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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The longtime Monster Energy-backed rally racer wins the wild & wooly Missouri “Rally in the 100 Acre Wood,” round two of the ’09 Rally America Championship 
CORONA, Calif., (March 3, 2009) – Monster Energy’s top rally driver, Ken Block, has done it again – for the fourth time, actually – winning the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood race in Missouri and getting himself right back in the middle of the 2009 Rally America Championship title chase. In addition, Block’s Monster Energy-backed teammate on the American Subaru factory race team, Dave Mirra, finished 2nd in the new Super Production class!
Block has owned the 100 Acre rally in his Vermont SportsCar-tuned Subaru Impreza WRX STI. And so much so this year that his teammate, defending Rally America Champion Travis Pastrana, crashed trying to keep up with Block’s foot-to-the-floor driving style through the fast and flowing course in and around Salem, Mo., through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.
Running the event with his co-driver Alex Gelsomino, Block won the first three of five stages on the opening day to give his team a one minute lead over the rest of the field. On the second day Block added another 40 seconds to that lead. “I love the flow of the stages of this event, I love the high speeds,” said Block in a press release from the Vermont SportsCar team. “My Subaru was really setup perfectly and that gave me the confidence to go flat-out on the real high-speed sections.”
Block’s fourth win in a row now ties him for the overall record with American rally great John Buffum, who won the 100 Acre rally from 1977 to 1980. “To share a record of any sort with Buffum is incredible,” added Block. “I don’t think I’ll come close to any of his other records though!”
Mirra was equally impressive in debut race in the new Super Production (SP) class, featuring minimally modified, production-based cars. Mirra was in 3rd place overall (behind Block) in the first day of competition, and in first place by a wide margin in the SP class. Running a similar Subaru WRX STI to Block’s, Mirra was fastest-in-class in eight of the event’s first 14 stages. But a ‘flash’ snowstorm would throw a wrench into the works, causing Mirra to back down (so as not to crash), but losing precious time with the strategy. In the end Mirra would lose out to veteran Subaru driver Matt Johnson for first place overall.
“I felt really comfortable in the SP-spec Subaru, and it was really encouraging to see our stage times were right up there with the Open Class cars,” said Mirra in the Vermont SportsCar release. “I’ve got a lot of confidence now and I know I can fight for the SP class championship this year and maybe even mix it up at the top of the standings for some overall points, too.”
Up next for Monster Energy rally drivers Block and Mirra is the all tarmac Rally New York (April 3-4) where Block will defend his 2008 victory. Mirra will join Block in Rally America competition at Oregon’s Olympus Rally, April 18-19.
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 dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
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MA: What was the hardest part in making the jump to the 450 class?
RV: I think the hardest part of moving up to the 450 is not really knowing where you’re at. You come in doing all the things you have done on a 250 and just don't know if it's going to be enough.
MA: What are you expectations/goals for the outdoor season?
RV: Obviously to be on the box, but I think I really have what it takes to run up front.
MA: Do you prefer SX or MX and why?
RV: Honestly, I would have to say that I don't really have a favorite. I like things about both. But I do like the fact that you have to actually train in order to be good at outdoors.
MA: What is your favorite flavor of Monster?
RV: I am going to have to say the original green
MA: What is your favorite hobby away from racing?
RV: Well, BMX and golf are my latest favorites. I have all the good stuff but I am still trying to step up my skill, ha ha.
MA: What is your favorite race and why?
RV: Probably the Budds Creek race when I blew Alessi off the track
MA: What goes through your mind on the starting line?
RV: Not a lot to be honest. I just sit there and wait for the gate to drop and hope to get to the first turn first.
MA: If you could give an amateur racer one piece of advice what would it be?
RV: Stay in school and don't let racing become your entire life.
MA: What is your favorite kind of food?
RV: Um, probably my uncles steak sandwiches.
MA: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
RV: I see myself in Idaho or Montana or something like that on a huge piece of property hanging out with my family and doing the things I haven't been able to do while racing.
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Stroupe & Pourcel go 1-2 in SX Lites main, Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Villopoto & Ferry are in the SX class’ top ten 
CORONA, Calif., (March 2, 2009) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Austin Stroupe got the win back that he missed out on the previous week at Atlanta, putting an early race pass on teammate Christophe Pourcel at Indianapolis’ new Lucas Oil Stadium – and making it stick through the checkers to record his first win of the 2009 ESX Lites season on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, tour.
Two Saturday’s ago Stroupe was in a similar situation, leading the Atlanta ESX Lites main event when he stalled his bike in a corner and he handed the lead (and eventual win) over to Pourcel. At Indianapolis Stroupe would not make the same mistake again as he dominated practice, his heat and then the main event.
I’m super pumped to be up here,” said Stroupe from the top of the podium. “Huge crowd here at Indy and my Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki was dialed.”
Stroupe and Pourcel both benefitted from a rare red flag that forced a restart of the Indy Lites main when some two-thirds of the field went down in a massive pile up at the end of the start straightaway. Bikes were piled on bikes with riders underneath – Stroupe himself receiving a burn to his arm from the mess – and race officials were unable to get them all untangled before the guys that avoided the wreck got back around to the first turn. So the red flag flew and the two Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki guys were able to take full advantage of the restart.
“We got really lucky on the start,” said Pourcel. “(On the second start) I got a good start and had a good race through the end – so I am happy.”
Pourcel got the holeshot just ahead of Nico Izzi and Stroupe and led for the first couple laps until Stroupe caught and passed him – with the two almost coming together. Stroupe then began to click off some fast laps, putting distance between himself, Pourcel and the rest of the field. Note: Stroupe’s fastest lap, a 51.241 was a full half second faster than Pourcel’s best lap (51.784), both of which were turned in the earlier stages of the race.
With the 25-point win Stroupe vaulted from 5th place all the way into 3rd place in the overall ESX Lites standings, trailing Izzi by five points for 2nd overall (62-57) and leader Pourcel by 15 points.
In the premier SX class Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, who was on the podium the previous weekend in Atlanta, was poised to make it two-in-a-row at Indy. But a bad start would relegate Villopoto far back in the pack and he never quite was able to mount a charge – winding up with a 9th place finish, one spot ahead of teammate Tim Ferry (10th).
“I got held up at the start and that was pretty much the story,” said Villopoto. “Ran well in some areas, made a couple mistake in others - ended up 9th. We’ll get back after it this week and come out strong at Daytona.”
Monster Energy’s Josh Hill (Yamaha) had an interesting night. Getting shut out of a transfer spot in his the first heat race (technical issues on the face of the finish line jump), Hill had to line up for the SX class LCQ – which he holeshot and won. In the main Hill got away clean and was moving up, when he cart wheeled over some Tuff Blocks and off the track near the end of the first lap. Hill was able to get back up and make his way back into the top 15, placing 15th.
Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’ Bobby Kiniry had an exciting weekend, pulling the holeshot in his heat race and leading before getting passed by James Stewart and Chad Reed. Kiniry was poised to make the heat race podium, then ran into some trouble and didn’t transfer. In the LCQ Kiniry again stepped up, finishing second to Hill to give Monster Energy the 1-2 finish in the SX class’ LCQ. Kiniry would finish 17th in the main event, one spot back of Monster Energy racer Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing).
Noteworthy: The much-anticipated return of Monster Energy’s Jason Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) was put on hold for at least another week as Lawrence, who did quite well in his SX class practice debut, could not answer the bell for his heat race due to reported stomach virus issues.
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed supercross racers is this Saturday’s (March 7) Daytona Supercross – part of “Bike Week” – in Daytona Beach, Fla., round ten of 2009 Monster Energy Supercross.
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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SCOTT NIKKEL
SPORT: SKI
LOCATION: TRUCKEE, CA
CHECK OUT HIS PROFILE
Monster Army: Hey Scott how are you buddy?
Scott Nikkel: Doing pretty good, just coming off a partial MCL tear but that healed up nice and good so I'm pretty happy!
Monster Army:Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Scott Nikkel: My name is Scott Nikkel, but most people call me Scotty or Dubs T(cause of the 2 t's in Scott). I'm currently 20 years old and I live in Reno, NV for school. I was born in Truckee, CA, which is definitely one of the sickest places to grow up!
Monster Army: Who are your other sponsors?
Scott Nikkel: Bern helmets, POW gloves, Spy Optics, and of course MONSTER ENERGY.
Monster Army:Where did you start skiing?
Scott Nikkel: I started skiing when I was two years old at Alpine Meadows, then Squaw Valley, and now I've called Northstar my home mountain for about 6 years now.
Monster Army: I was Just in Tahoe for the Winter Dew Tour. Tahoe is sick! How do you keep up with the fashion show at Northstar?
Scott Nikkel: Haha, I don't keep up with fashion there... I pretty much just set the trends! Any given day I wear no fewer than 4 tall t's, pants sagged low, bandana, and of course the goggle sag!
Monster Army: Are you filming at all? What new projects are you working on?
Scott Nikkel: I am currently filming with a couple different segments this year, primarily with DOS Media(www.dosmedia.net) and then a smaller segment with Stonebroke Films(www.stonebrokefilms.com). This is the first year I've been able to get a segment and the whole filming thing has been a super fun experience so far.
Monster Army: What music are you into when chillin and what is playing when you ski?
Scott Nikkel: When I'm chillin I listen to a lot of reggae, Sizzla, Shaggy, Collie Buddz and some others. While I'm skiing its totally different, gangster rap and underground mostly, Tupac, Flo Rida, Mac Mall, Zion I, Cunninlynguists and DL Incognito.
Monster Army: Do you ever ski in the summer? Mt. Hood … New Zealand ?
Scott Nikkel: I have never been to hood in the summer but I'm planning on living up there this summer!
Monster Army: Who is your favorite Monster Ski General?
Scott Nikkel: Corey Vanular for sure! Monster Army: With such a stacked Monster team why did you pick Corey Vanular?
Scott Nikkel: Corey Vanular has a really unique style and is always pushing the sport. He is incredibly skilled on rails and I definitely look up to him as a creative and inspirational athlete that is at the forefront of our sport. Monster Army: Who is your favorite Monster Ski General?
Scott Nikkel: Corey Vanular for sure! Monster Army: Last words for the kids in the Monster Army:
Scott Nikkel: Skiing is all about having fun, skiing everyday, and pushing yourself to learn something new every time you go! Remember that and you're guaranteed to go far.
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DANE REYNOLDS
Freshmen year on the ASP World Tour is over, and Dane is over it: No more snuggies from Mick Fanning – the big bully. No more getting stuffed in his board bag and missing heats. And man, Kelly Slater is great and all but if he would tone down the “Dane Reynolds is the best surfer in the room,” rhetoric. Isn’t there enough pressure already.
Despite an ankle injury Dane finished his first year on the ASP World Tour 20th in the world, just one ahead of one his heroes, Taylor Knox. And he was Rookie of the Year – with a bad ankle.
Finishing middle of the pack the first year out is good for Rookie of the Year honors but Dane and the rest of the world wonder where he would have finished if he hadn’t broken his ankle in the middle of the season. Just after the Mundaka contest, Reynolds was surfing a crummy dump beachbreak off a jetty at Anglet, France. He hit what he described as a perfect aerial section, but landed in a section that was less than perfect, and did his ankle.
For football and basketball players and most mainstream athletes, a broken ankle means ciao to the season. Reynolds did his ankle after Mundaka, which explains his no-show in Brazil, and first-heat loss at the Pipeline Masters. Two out of 10 events – hobbled. What could he do with a full season?
We’re about to find out. While healing Reynolds’ swore off aerials for good, but we know that’s not going to fly. With a good couple of months of R and R between the 2008 and 2009 season, Reynolds is entering his sophomore years as a Varsity guy. All eyes are on him, he knows it, he is not entirely comfortable with it – he didn’t want to do any “start of the season” interviews. He is not entirely comfortable with the media. He just wants to get the job done.
But there is something in Dane Reynolds that is driving him up and out like Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. It’s not fame, really. Reynolds isn’t comfortable with all the media attention. Money is just a practicality and it’s also not a blood-thirsty love of competition: to see defeat in another man’s eyes.
It’s not talent, or money or fame, it’s something else, and in a word, it’s character. Dane Reynolds is only 24, at an age where most people are still cruising, finding themselves, wondering where to go and what to do. But Dane is on the pro tour, serious business, and he is getting hard and fast lessons about talent, money, fame but also the most important thing: Character.
That is the inner sanctum of himself that he is exploring and testing. His talent is undeniable, but what Dane has learned is that talent is only one of the ingredients, there is also drive, focus, confidence, resilience. Character, and where he knows it or not, Reynolds’ mission is to live up to the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.”
BOBBY MARTINEZ
Think of Bobby Martinez as The Fighter: The kind of story that usually comes from the world of boxing, but transplanted to the ocean. Look at him: the barrio ink, the set of his face, the Pancho Villa facial hair, the way he wears his trunks like Everlast. Bobby Martinez is a fighter because the ASP World Championship Tour is a nine-month battle. And while his story has played over and over again in the boxing ring, he is something unique to the surfing world: The Mexican kid from the other side of town, making good in the ocean world.
“Santa Barbara” and “ghetto” in the same sentence might sound silly, and now that Bobby has seen the world, he plays down how rough his neighborhood was. Now that he has surfed in front of the favela of Rio, and flown over the steaming masses of Jakarta, Bobby has trouble describing his neighborhood as a “ghetto.” But the west side of Santa Barbara had gangs and trouble and Bobby escaped that by getting thrown into the ocean at a young age. He took to it, and learned everything that Santa Barbara and points north and south can teach a young surfer. Like George Greenough and Tom Curren and thousands of other surfers famous and anonymous who came before him, Bobby’s surfing was groomed by the perfect surf of his youth. And when you learn to love perfect surf, you want to surf perfect.
Martinez is only 26, but seems like he had been around forever. The hype goes back to the turn of the century, when Martinez was called the heir apparent to Slater’s vacated throne. That hype bubbled over from his stellar NSSA career, in which he won seven titles. He jumped on the WQS Tour at 17 but injuries plagued him for half a decade. He made the Bigs in 2006, a veteran at age 23, and he shocked himself and shook up the world when he beat Fred Pattachia at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. He followed that with a second win at Mundaka and that lead to Rookie of the Year honors.
Martinez followed with a runner up win at Mundaka in 2007 and now, in his third year on the WCT Tour, he finished the 2008 season ninth in the world. That is high, that is close.
And now he is a veteran at 26, squinting at the world through eyes that have seen more than most 20-somethings. He has made some hard decisions along the way: He switched his surfboard allegiance, and that is like a boxer changing trainers. Loyalties are hard to break, new roads have to be paved. At the end of last year, Bobby parted company with a major sponsor, but Monster is behind him all the way.
He is scarily close to going all the way, but there is a ferocious scrum of talent between him and the top - and a swarm of killer bees chasing him.
So it’s fair to think of Bobby Martinez as The Fighter: Tough kid from the Barrio, proving it for home and family, but mostly for himself. Surfing WCT contests is like prize-fighting. Less rounds but longer rounds and no less intense. The thrills of victory is there, but so are the beatings, physical and mental: Traveling halfway around the world to lose by .12 of a point, caught inside at Teahupoo, pulling in backside at Pipe.
Martinez knows what it takes to win – all the things that have to go right and wrong, what it takes from him. Any illusions of the Tour as glamorous are long gone and Bobby sees it for what it is: A test, of his strength, perseverance, drive. And in the end it’s the C Word: character.
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