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Monster Energy’s John Hopkins Tops Current MotoGP Champ Nicky Hayden For 6th O/A In Turkey
Hopper guides his Rizla Suzuki 800cc GSV-R to respectable finish; now in 9th place overall in MotoGP standings
CORONA, Calif., (April 23, 2007) – Monster Energy’s John Hopkins (Rizla Suzuki) had a good go of it in the highly competitive MotoGP circuit stop in Istanbul, Turkey, this past weekend, finishing 6th overall and elevating himself into the top ten in the overall points standings (9th).
“John rode a brilliant first lap to get to third position, and was involved in a frenetic battle throughout the race and we are all a bit disappointed that we couldn’t quite get that podium we are after,” said Rizla Suzuki team manager Paul Denning. “Nonetheless the Suzuki GSV-R has worked really well here in Turkey, Bridgestone has dominated all weekend, now let’s go to China and carry on the good work!”
One noteworthy item from the race was that Hopkins was the sixth and final placer in a historic 1st through 6th place finish for Bridgestone tires. Never before had the Japanese tire maker ever swept the top six spots.
Added Hopkins: “It was certainly a dogfight out there! I would firstly like to thank – and congratulate – Bridgestone. They have done a great job here especially on my behalf. Last year I had to pit for a new tire and this year they had the top six places, so well done to them. I got a decent enough start and made some early passes, and I got my head down and really got stuck into the race. At about half distance I got involved in a hell of a fight where everything just kept turning upside down. One minute I was in seventh then up to fourth or third and then back to sixth. I had to work for every bit today and would definitely like to have gone for that podium place, but we got some good points.”
Next up for the Monster Energy-backed Hopkins and the Rizla Suzuki team is the May 6th running of the Shanghai GP in China.
To check out some more information on Hopkins and the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team, link to www.suzuki-motogp.com or www.motogp.com .
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MotoGP, NASCAR, motocross, surf, skate, 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 and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” John Hopkins digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy’s Ivan Tedesco 8th @ Detroit SX
Tedesco holds onto 5th overall in AMA Supercross class standings, two points ahead of David Vuillemin, 171-169
CORONA, Calif., (April 23, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed Ivan Tedesco (Makita/Suzuki) held onto 5th place in the overall AMA Supercross class standings of the 2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, placing a solid 8th overall in the main event at Detroit’s Ford Field on Saturday.
Tedesco, who has been competitive with the world’s best Supercross racers despite breaking his hand just prior to the start of the season, got things going early with an impressive 2nd place finish in the first Supercross class heat race. In the main he pulled a good start and was running in 4th, looking at a possible podium finish when a lap six mistake relegated him back several spots. In the end Tedesco would settle for 8th.
“We’ve got two races to go and my focus is on that fifth overall spot,” said Tedesco. “With all I’ve been through this season, and prior to the start of the season, I’d be satisfied with 5th overall.”
Tedesco holds a slim two-point lead over David Vuillemin (171-169) for that coveted final top five spot. The two will make for the No. 1 sidebar story to the overall championship, which has all but been wrapped up by Monster Energy-backed James Stewart.
Next up for Tedesco is Round 15 of the 2007 Amp’d Mobile/AMA Supercross Series at Seattle’s Qwest Field (April 28). Noteworthy:
Last year Tedesco finished 7th in the Qwest Field main event while Vuillemin did not race due to injury.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, motocross, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Ivan Tedesco is diggin’ ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ben Townley Captures AMX SX East Lites O/A Title In A Thriller!
Townley tops Morais in the final race of the season to win the overall 2007 ESX Lites title – his first ever and first AMA Lites championship for a Kiwi
CORONA, Calif., (April 23, 2007) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki made it a clean sweep of the 2007 AMA Supercross Lites regional championships as Ben Townley captured the ESX crown in exciting fashion on Saturday night at Detroit’s Ford Field.
Trailing rival Ryan Morais by three points, 114-111, Townley’s immediate plan was to flat out win the race, something he’d already done three times on the season. But when Morais stalled his bike on the second lap, Townley put in a fast and consistent ride, taking few chances, and finished 2nd overall to win the title.
“I can’t put into words how happy I am right now,” said Townley.
“First I’d like to thank Mitch Payton for giving me the opportunity, along with Monster Energy and Kawasaki. This certainly is a dream come true.”
Townley, a former European GP MX2 class motocross champion, becomes the first New Zealander to win an overall major AMA motocross championship.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Darcy Lange survived a get together with Mike Alessi at the start of the main event (Alessi fell in front of Lange) and made his way back through the pack to finish 10th overall. With the effort Lange held onto his 3rd spot on the overall ESX podium.
Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is Round 15 of the 2007 Amp’d Mobile/AMA Supercross Series at Seattle’s Qwest Field (April 28). Noteworthy: The Seattle round is the eighth and final round of the Western Lites Championship. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto already wrapped up that title in February, and returns to his native pacific northwest as the reigning WSX Lites champ!
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, motocross, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Ben Townley & Darcy Lange are diggin’ ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy/Yamaha/Graves Motorsports Team’s Mark Burkhardt Wins @ 3rd Annual Primm Supermoto
Burkhardt takes title in premier 450 class while teammate Brandon Currie is 2nd in 250 class & 4th in Unlimited class – on his 250!
CORONA, Calif., (April 20, 2007) – The Monster Energy/Yamaha/Graves Motorsports’ Mark Burkhardt and Brandon Currie kicked off the 2007 supermoto season with excellent results at the 3rd annual Stateline Supermoto Challenge on the Nevada/California border this past weekend.
Burkhardt, last year’s 4th place overall finisher in the AMA Supermoto Championship, guided his Yamaha YZ450F to victory in the premier class at the Stateline Challenge. Currie also had a good go of it, finishing 2nd in the 250 class at the Stateline Challenge, then wowing everybody by finishing 4th in the Unlimited class – on his 250cc bike!
Next up for the Monster Energy/Yamaha/Graves Motorsports supermoto team is the opening round of the 2007 AMA Supermoto Championships at St. Louis’ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (May 19th).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, motocross, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Mark Burkhardt & Brandon Currie are diggin’ ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy's Jeremy "Showtime" McGrath Ready To Let 'Er
Rip In A JR Motorsports Late Model Race
The 7-time Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series champion and all-time
winningest SX racer will mat the accelerator tomorrow in N.C.
CORONA, Calif., (April 20, 2007) - Monster Energy's Jeremy
"Showtime" McGrath, the seven-time Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross
Series and all-time winningest supercross racer, will put his JR
Motorsports Late Model car on the starting line of his first NASCAR
development series race at Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly,
N.C., on Saturday (April 21).
McGrath, who got his first testing in at the track two weeks ago, is
optimistic about inaugural NASCAR-style race experience and hoping
things go as planned.
"My goal is to come out of this weekend with some more knowledge,
drive well and stay out of trouble," said McGrath. "The guys on
the JR Motorsports team have done a good job reminding me that the
effort I'm putting into this now doesn't compare to what I've
done in the past (in regards to supercross), rather I'm pretty much
back to square one and beginning the learning process of racing cars."
No stranger though to racing on four wheels, McGrath has enjoyed
success in both Toyota Celebrity GP racing as well as Championship
Off Road Racing (CORR).
"His experience at those events has shown up already in the testing
with the JR Motorsports team," said Monster Energy spokesman Scott
Sepkovic. "Jeremy was way out in front of this recent motocross-to-
NASCAR movement, testing NASCAR spec trucks at Irwindale Speedway
almost a decade ago."
In terms of the learning curve, McGrath sites "seat time" as his
No. 1 hurdle right now. "It's like I need laps from yesterday,
which I don't have," he said. "And there's a short window of
time to get to the next level, so we're going to have to pack as
much as we can in here this summer and see how things go."
McGrath also mentioned that he's looking for some time in a Late
Model car in his home region of southern California for practice when
he's not turning laps for JR Motorsports.
"The advantage Jeremy has, that everybody's taking about around
the pits, is that he 'Looks comfortable,'" cited Sepkovic.
"Not a matter of over confidence, but a sincere respect for the
sport and those involved with it, along with the determination that
won him seven supercross titles.
"And you can see that when Jeremy's out on the track. Like a when
he's out running motos, he'll run 20, 30 minutes straight, no
problem. Same thing in the Late Model - he'll want to run 40-50
laps and the guys on the team are like 'Bring it on in!'"
Wanting to stay under the publicity radar as much as possible,
McGrath was asked recently if he expects a showdown with fellow
Monster Energy motocross-to-NASCAR star Ricky Carmichael, who's also
running Late Models this summer.
"It'd be fun, but unfortunately our schedules don't line up,"
said McGrath. "Maybe when we get to the next level."
McGrath and the Monster Energy car gives JRM its third late model
entry. Scott Young and Curtis Truex Jr. currently compete in full-
season touring schedules in late model cars sponsored by R&B. JR
Motorsports also fields a full-time NASCAR Busch Series team with
driver Shane Huffman and full-time USAR Hooters Pro Cup team with
driver Richard Boswell. All of these teams operate out of the new JR
Motorsports facility located in Mooresville, N.C.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it NASCAR, motocross, surf,
skate, 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 and the new
Monster/fruit juice hybrid called "Khaos." Jeremy "Showtime"
McGrath digs 'em - so will you. On the 'Net at
www.monsterenergy.com.
JR Motorsports, a Mooresville, N.C., based company solely-owned by
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., is a growing team
in NASCAR Busch Series, USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series and late model
stock car competition. Founded in 2002, the team is entering into its
second season in the NASCAR Busch Series with the U.S. Navy and
driver Shane Huffman. In addition to fielding the No. 88 Navy
Accelerate Your Life Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in the NASCAR Busch
Series, JR Motorsports also
fields the No. 88 Champion Chevrolet in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup
Series with driver Richard Boswell. Scott Young and Curtis Truex Jr.
are a part of the R&B Late Model Driver Development Program in the
Nos. 71 and 73 R&B Chevrolets and compete at short track across the
Southeast. For more information on JR Motorsports, visit
www.jrmotorsport.com.
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Monster Energy’s Kendall Norman Places 2nd At Round Four Of AMA FMF Hare & Hound Series In Jericho, Utah
Norman collects himself after crash to make podium, moves up in o/a series points chase
CORONA, Calif., (April 16, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed off-road motorcycle great Kendall Norman (Team Honda) overcame dusty conditions and a crash to make the overall podium at the AMA FMF National Hare & Hound Series stop at Jericho, Utah, Round Four of the series.
Running with the lead pack, Norman would wind up collecting fellow competitor Russ Pearson in a corner, forcing both riders to the ground. While Norman was able to right himself and give chase to the leader (David Pearson), the 20 seconds were too much to overcome and Norman settled for 2nd overall.
“I got close to him (David Pearson), but whenever I attempted to pass I got dusted out,” said Norman.
Norman, who runs the No. 3 plate, is shooting for No. 1 and currently ranks 6th in the series.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it off-road, motocross, surf, skate, 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 and the new Monster/ fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Kendall Norman digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy FAR Pro Circuit/Kawaski Off-Road Team Scores First Win Of GNCC Season
Scott Watkins captures first in XC2 class, going from last to 1st
CORONA, Calif., (April 16, 2007) – The Monster Energy FAR (Fred Andrews Racing) Pro Circuit Kawasaki Off-Road Team got its first win of the season on the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Racing Series tour as Scott Watkins brought home the XC2 class gold from Round Four of the series – The Big Buck – held in Union, S.C.
Watkins, who started the race in last place, pushed his Pro Circuit- tuned KX250F to the max, passing rider after rider until he took the lead on lap four of the seven-lap cross country race.
“Training was key for me this week,” said Watkins. “I’d put in the extra time in the gym and on my bike and it paid off at the Big Buck.” Noteworthy: Watkins finished on the podium in third at the last GNCC round.
Running well in premier the XC1 class was Watkins’ teammate Jesse Robinson, who finished 10th overall in the hotly-contested race.
Robinson actually rocketed out to a great start (4th), but got hung up on the second turn and fell back to 8th. “I started out a little slow today and could not find my groove,” said Robinson. “After I got gas I really started to put in some good laps and tried my hardest.”
Also in the XC2 class Monster Energy FAR Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s PA Allen also made the top ten, finishing 10th overall despite battling back pain suffered in a crash earlier in the week.
“I’m not a quitter and gave the team all I had today,” said Allen. “I have two weeks to rest up and allow my back to heal.”
The final Monster Energy FAR Pro Circuit Kawasaki entrant in the Big Buck, Cole Calkins, pulled out of the event with an injured wrist.
Next up for the Monster Energy FAR Pro Circuit Kawasaki Off-Road is the Acerbis Loretta Lynn’s in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. (April 28-29).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it off-road, FMX, skate, motocross, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’
Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Fred Andrews and his boyz dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Monster Energy-Backed Amateur Motocrossers Are Killin' It @ Vegas World Mini Grand Prix Event
Extreme Team Green (Kawasaki) is fueled by Monster and all OVER the competition at season's third major amateur MX National event
CORONA, Calif., (April 13, 2007) - Monster Energy-backed motocross racers at the 2007 Vegas World Mini Grand Prix have been tearing apart the competition, so much so that one - Christian Craig - has already wrapped up the overall 150 Four Stroke class championship and a host of other riders are winning motos left and right.
The Monster Energy-backed Kawasaki Extreme Team Green riders Michael Hall and Austin Stroupe have picked up the slack for injured teammate Hunter Hewitt, winning or winding up on the podium in every race they've been in through today.
Working hard to keep up with the marquee Extreme Team Green racers are the 80-plus other racers backed by Monster Energy. As mentioned, Christian Craig won the supermini class yesterday and came back and won the overall new 150 Four Stroke class. Also running well, when he's not crashing or having to play catch up from poor starts, is Kyle Engle. Engle has top three finished in all of his motos but one so far.
Two former national champions when they were with Cobra Motorcycles are now running the Kawasaki/Monster Energy logo. Floridians Adam Cianciarulo and Zach Bell, both have their A-games going with Cianciarulo winning everything possible in his classes and the 12- year-old Bell moving up to race the supermini class with the big boys and finishing an impressive 6th.
The Vegas World Mini GPs continue through the weekend. Look for a full report on the event Monday at www.monsterenergy.com.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it amateur MX, NASCAR, supercross, surf, skate, snow, BMX - name it - the athletes are rockin' Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors - Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called "Khaos."
Amateur MXers rockin' the Monster M-claw logo dig 'em - so will you. On the 'Net at www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ben Townley Wins Dallas SX,
Teammate Darcy Lange Is 2nd Overall
Townley clips Ryan Morais’ Lites class points lead to three with one
ESX race remaining on 2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series schedule
CORONA, Calif., (April 2, 2007) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/
Kawasaki’s Ben Townley had what he felt was his best race of the
Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series season thus far, winning the
Dallas Supercross is spectacular fashion and trimming the ten-point
lead for the overall title (held by Ryan Morais) to three points,
114-111, with one Eastern SX Lites class race remaining.
The New Zealander was more than stoked with his performance on
Saturday at Texas Stadium as it put him right smack back in the
middle of the ESX title hunt. “Yeah, baby. That was awesome,” said
Townley. “I bet my mom, dad and little sister – and a bunch of other
people – back in New Zealand are pumped, listening to the broadcast
right now. (I’m) back in the title race.”
Townley made the main by virtue of a podium (3rd) finish in the first
heat race – a race his teammate Darcy Lange would win. In the Lites
main Townley taped the throttle on his Pro Circuit-tuned Kawasaki
KX250F all the way through the first turn, winning the $1,000
Progressive Direct holeshot award and leading the race early.
“Best start I’ve ever pulled,” admitted Townley. “Then Darcy put it
up on me. I got my groove, found my lines and got both of them (2nd
place Ryan Dungey) back in one turn.”
By lap ten Townley had put two seconds on Lange, and would eventually
make that lead stick through the checkers. Lange would hold off a
charging Dungey for 2nd overall.
“It was a good weekend for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
team,” said Lange. “I’m just glad to be up on the podium.”
Trailing by ten points heading into the Dallas round, Townley’s win
makes for a three-point different between he and Morais with one
round remaining. Should Townley repeat his Dallas performance and win
Detroit – with Morais finishing 2nd – the two would be tied and
Townley would be awarded the overall title on account of he’d have
more race wins (four to Morais’ zero) this season.
“If I can ride like I did here today I’ve got a good shot at the
title in Detroit,” said Townley.
Next up for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is Round 14
of the 2007 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series at Detroit’s Ford
Field (March 21st).
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it motocross, surf, skate,
snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more
than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original
Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/
fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” All the boyz racing for Pro
Circuit/Kawasaki dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at
www.monsterenergy.com
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Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert Wins First-Ever SX Lites Heat Race,
Goes On To Finish 10th In Main Event
World’s greatest two-sport extreme powersport athlete (snocross &
supercross) continues to improve and gain respect on Supercross
Series tour
CORONA, Calif., (April 2, 2007) – Monster Energy-backed Tucker
Hibbert (Motor City Powersports/Yamaha) won his first-ever supercross
heat race and parlayed the effort into another top ten Lites class
finish on the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series tour this past
Saturday in Dallas.
Hibbert, aboard a limited factory-backed privateer Yamaha, became the
first non factory or satellite team racer to win a heat race this
season, capturing heat race No. 2 over fellow Minnesotan, factory
Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey.
“I just got a good start, didn’t get stuck in the middle of the
pack and put together a good race,” said Hibbert. “I wanted to put
in as good of a ride as I could before the break. This does a lot for
my confidence and helps get things in motion.”
Hibbert had a section of the track dialed in the main, to the point
where he passed six to seven racers to make the top ten. Hibbert was
so pumped on the section that he took time to point it out to friend
and mentor, Kevin Windham, prior to Windham’s start in the AMA
Supercross class main event. The tip worked as Windham, who had to
use a provisional start after a heat race crash and 4th place finish
in the LCQ, went on to finish 6th in the main event.
With his 10th place effort – including the 5th fastest lap time in
the main event - Hibbert remained tied for 15th overall with Kelly
Smith in the Lites class standings.
Next up for Hibbert is the April 21st running of the Detroit
Supercross at Ford Field.
Hibbert is riding Artic Cat sleds and Yamaha dirt bikes this winter.
For more information on snocross, check out www.powersportstour.com.
For supercross, link to www.supercross.cc.com.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it supercross, snocross,
motocross, surf, skate, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are
rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all
the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster
Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.”
Tucker Hibbert digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at
www.monsterenergy.com.
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