MonsterArmy.com News
TORC Racing Finale at Vegas ON ABC Sunday Nov. 8th
Championship Showdown at Las Vegas Motorspeedway Tune in on ABC, Sunday Nov. 8th 1:30pm EST / 10:30am PST
Rick THorne/ESPN Action Sports Podcast
THE TRAXXAS TORC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES GOES LIVE ON NETWORK TV!
EXPERIENCE THE MOST INTENSE RACING ON EARTH
LIVE ON ABC!
THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 6TH, 4 PM EASTERN - 1 PM PACIFIC
THE BEST OFF ROAD TRUCK RACERS IN THE WORLD RACING BATTLING FROM "THE BIG HOUSE" - CRANDON INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, CRANDON, WI!
TUNE IN TO WITNESS HISTORY AS AN ALL STAR FIELD LED BY JEREMY MCGRATH, RICKY JOHNSON, RICK HUSEMAN, JOHNNY GREAVES, KYLE LEDUC ALONG WITH NASCAR STAR ROBBIE GORDON AND X GAMES LEGEND BRIAN DEEGAN
For Immediate Release
The Traxxas TORC Off Road Truck Championship Series, Presented by AMSOIL, also featuring the race for the BorgWarner Cup (the sister to the trophy for the Indianapolis 500), takes its next great leap forward as a major American motorsport with its innagural live broadcast on ABC Network, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, at 4 PM Eastern/1 PM Pacific.
Produced by Paul Taublieb and Media X International, Inc. (MXi), coverage of a collection of the premier off road racers in the world, led by the likes of Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Johnson, Rick Huseman, Kyle LeDuc, Rob MacCachren and Johnny Greaves, joined by NASCAR star Robbie Gordon and FMX icon turned racer Brian Deegan, among many others, will take to the fabled Crandon International Speedway for the 40th Anniversary of men and machine testing and besting each other in this full-contact, motocross-on-four-wheels, gasoline-gladiator showdown LIVE from fabled Crandon, WI.
“This will be the first time that the Traxxas TORC Truck Series will be live on a major network and it represents the next step in the evolution of our sport and our series, the premier off road series in the world coming to you from the biggest, best and most historic racetrack in the sport,” said Ricky Johnson AMA motorcycle legend, and co-owner of TORC, as well as point leader as a driver in the PRO 2 class. “All season long we've had great ratings and a great response to our programs, and with this live show expect intense racing and a phenomenal show."
“This will be another groundbreaking weekend for the TORC series - it's amazing what we've accomplished in a just a few short months, and it just keeps getting bigger and better," added Mitch Covington , co-owner of TORC. “Labor Day weekend and two days of off-road racing will draw an expected crowd of more than 40,000 spectators - add live network TV and it just doesn't get any better than this."
TUNE IN THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 6, 2009, 4 PM EASTERN/1 PM PACIFIC.
For further information about TORC, including full schedule of upcoming races, go to: www.torcseries.com
For further information about MXi, go to: www.mediax.tv or email paul@mediax.tv
Malibu, CA-based Media X International, Inc. (MXi) is an acknowledged leader in producing television coverage of motorsports and action sports, and is the exclusive television production company of TORC. Headed by founder/CEO Paul Taublieb, the company also is the official Moto X Sport Organizer for the ESPN X Games, and has produced award-winning content and live events for NASCAR, ABC, ESPN, Fuel TV, NBC, Showtime, among others. In partnership with Rob Dyrdek and MSInteractive, MXi has also creatred the proprietary ISX - Instant Scoring eXperience, a real-time scoring system judged action sports event (www.ISXScoring.com)
World premier of Standard’s Black Winter with Torstein Horgmo, Lonnie Kauk, Leanne Pelosi, Haldor Helgason in Seattle
Hibbert to Race Final Three Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Nationals
Rossi takes second despite difficulties in California
LONDON, (July 6, 2009) The eighth round of the MotoGP World Championship brought the world’s premier motorcycle series to the Californian coast and the Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway for its first stop off on US soil this season. With idyllic weather all weekend, and a crowd of nearly 50,000 packing the grandstands, the scene was set perfect for the 32-lap race.
Monster Energy’s reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team #46) took an impressive second position in the race after a fierce battle with his main title rivals, despite suffering from technical glitches throughout the weekend. The Italian had been struggling to find a comfortable setting on his Yamaha M1 that would see him able to make the challenge at the front, battling fiercely with title rivals Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner before coming close to passing eventual winner Dani Pedrosa in the final corner.
“I came down the hill in the last lap like a crazy man but it was too risky to overtake!” said Rossi, an eight-time MXGP world champ. “I thought there was a chance to pass on the final corner but unfortunately I was just too far off and it was too much of a risk. Second is good today because we were not in perfect shape here, we missed something in the setting and this is always a hard track anyway, so we have to be happy with these 20 points. We have extended the championship lead so it’s a good result for us.”
On the weekend of US Independence Day, it was another positive top seven finish for Texas the Tornado Colin Edwards (Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3 #5). Like Rossi before him, Edwards had also battled against technical issues on the M1 throughout the weekend, but sealed a comfortable seventh place which moves him up to fifth overall in the championship standings.
His Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate James Toseland (#52) did not have such a happy day, having been disqualified from the race after missing the call into the pits for a ride-through penalty. He was harshly adjudged to have jumped the start, and unable to see the warnings, he was forced to bring the bike in to the pits.
The MotoGP World Championship reconvenes on European soil in two weeks time, for the German GP at the Sachsenring.
About Monster Energy
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MotoGP, Superbikes, supermoto, skis, boards, snowmobiles, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, off-road, trial, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, 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 Ripper, available in the UK, Ireland, France, Monaco, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden and Spain. Valentino Rossi digs ‘em. So will you. On the Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
Please contact media@uk.monsterenergy.com for photos or more information
TORC Racing @ Bark River International Raceway
TORC Racing @ Bark River International Raceway
Thackers Summer Update
Thacker's Summer Update |
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Hibbert Heads North of the Border for First MX Race of the Season
Goodridge, Minn. (June 24, 2009) - Monster Energy’s Tucker Hibbert heads to Canada this weekend to kick off his motocross season at the Monster Energy Motocross National in Modern, Manitoba. Shadow Valley Raceway will host the fourth round of the series and is only a short drive from Hibbert’s hometown of Goodridge, Minn. Last year, Hibbert convincingly won the event after dominating both motos in the MX2 class. Similar to last year, Hibbert is competing as a privateer and after this weekend,
he’ll return to the United States to see where he stacks up against the 250 class in the AMA Lucas Oil Motocross Championship. He plans on racing five of the remaining seven events and hopes to break the coveted top-ten for the first time.
Hibbert is known worldwide for his unparalleled snocross performances at ESPN’s Winter X Games but actually started racing motorcycles before snowmobiles. Now the 25-year-old, duel-sport athlete spends his year balancing a career racing both motorcycles and snowmobiles professionally.
This summer marks his tenth year as a pro in both sports and he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Racing action at Shadow Valley Raceway begins Sunday, June 28 at noon. For more information on Hibbert and this weekend’s event, check out
www.tucker-hibbert.com and www.cmrcracing.com.
Tucker Hibbert - #69
“I’m excited to get back to the races. I won both motos at Morden last year and hope to do the same this weekend. Shadow Valley Raceway is a great track and when the conditions are right, multiple lines develop which makes for intense racing.
It’s been a while since I’ve raced a national caliber motocross event but I’ve been busy with snocross, local motocross races, riding and training. I switched up my riding and training schedule this year so I’m anxious to see how it will affect my results. I had another really successful snocross season and that gives me a lot of confidence going into motocross. I feel strong mentally and know how to handle pressure. That’s a skill I think few riders have.
My goals this summer are to win this weekend in Canada and to be in the top-ten in the United States. I’m trying to keep my schedule light so I don’t get strung out. I’m racing as a privateer again so by spacing out my races, I think I can perform better. Bottom line is, if I can learn something new and have fun doing it, it will be a successful summer.”
Noteworthy: Tucker’s 25 birthday is today, June 24.
Tucker just launched a blog that he’ll update during the week and while he’s at the races - www.tucker-hibbert.com/blog.
Resources: tucker-hibbert.com • monsterenergy.com • cmrcracing.com
Monster Energy’s BMX roster is STACKED for the upcoming Dew Tour opener in Chicago, June 26-27
Defending Dew Tour champs Jamie Bestwick (BMX Vert), Cameron White (BMX Dirt) & BMX Park runner-up Mike Spinner headline the ’09 Monster BMX crew!
CORONA, Calif., (June 17, 2009) – Monster Energy’s roster for the upcoming Dew Tour opener, Chicago’s Nike 6.0 BMX Open, reads like a Who’s Who? of legendary BMX talent, all of which would end up in the BMX Hall of Fame should they ever build one. Names like Mirra, Bestwick, Guettler, Spinner, White and Cranmer – which stand alone to a BMXer like “Renaldo” does to a soccer player – will all be running the iconic M-claw logo this summer, beginning with next weekend’s (June 26-27) huge send-off to start the competition season.
The Chicago/Nike opener is unique in that it is purely BMX. No skate, which is a first for the Dew Tour. So added to the usual Vert, Park and Dirt event will be Street – making the weekend of June 26-27 pretty much the biggest BMX event in the world outside the X Games this year.
“I definitely feel this is a defining moment for BMX to stand on its own,” said Bestwick, who last year won four out of five Dew Tour BMX Vert overalls to win the Dew Cup, an unprecedented fourth-straight Dew Cup (the most in AST Dew Tour history) for him. “New city. New format. New fans. And all-new tricks for ’09. It’s going to be awesome.”
Added defending tour BMX Dirt champ, Monster Energy’s newly-signed Cameron White: “Dude, it’s gonna go off! So many guys are looking forward to this.”
As with Bestwick on the Vert ramp, White is the man to beat on the dirt jumps spanning the U.S. coast-to-coast in five Dew Tour events over five months this summer/fall. He says he’s coming back with some new variations on some of the tricks that won him the ’08 overall Dirt title, stuff worked on throughout the winter at his home in Australia. “I’ve got a big dirt jump set up back at home, along with a foam pit,” said White. “I put a little bit of time into the foam, mixed up my game a bit and want to come out with some tricks that people wouldn’t usually expect from me. Change up the image a little bit, few different stunts. Feeling confident for the year.”
Both Bestwick and White’s arch rivals are comic book-like. Chad Kagy is good enough to beat Bestwick – and did last year at Portland, Ore., - and White’s nemesis’, TJ Ellis and Dennis Enarson, are high on the list of numerous athletes White says can drop in and win Dew Dirt.
Running the M-claw and fitting that nemesis role in BMX Park is Mike Spinner. The likeable easterner did everything he could to topple Park’s Superman, Daniel Dhers. The two combined on a rivalry similar to that of Bestwick and Kagy – elevating the BMX Park competition bar to incredible heights along the way. And Spinner’s pumped on ’09 and getting things rolling in Chicago.
“It’s crazy right now. Daniel Dhers is the best park rider in the world,” said Spinner. “He’s super, super consistent, has the tricks and knows how to put it all together. With me, when I’m riding, it’s about doing tricks that nobody else has done. I’ve done the 1080. I’ve done the quadruple tail whip – and I’ve put them in the same run. But I tend to slack on the little things. So this winter that’s all I worked on. Fill the gaps, come on a little bit stronger and, hopefully, take one down.”
Add to the Bestwick/White/Spinner mix the greatest freestyle BMXer ever, Dave Mirra, and multi-event Dew Tour winners Ryan Guettler and new M-claw runner Scotty Cranmer, and the Monster Energy BMX crew looks to have an unreal shot at some serious hardware next weekend in Chicago!
For more on the Dew Tour hit up: http://www.allisports.com/tour/4450/overview
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it BMX, skate, MX, rally, insane distance jumping, SX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster’s fruit juice hybrid dubbed “M-80,” the party-friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy “Hitman” energy shot. Monster Energy’s BMX guys runnin’ the Dew Tour dig ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
Check out some sick videos of Monster's Paul Thacker!
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Chris MacClugage wins APBA National Tour 5 & 6 Myrtle Beach
Chris devoured the competition at rounds 5 and 6 of the National APBA Tour in Myrtle Beach SC
Chris raced his Monster Energy ,Yamaha FZR to its fullest potential in the rough ocean waves taking 6 First Places in the Pro Am stock Runabout & Pro-Am Runabout Open class.
Chris Won all 4 of his Moto's in Pro Am Stock Runabout races round 5 & 6. Chris has Won every Pro-Am Stock Runabout race he has entered so far this year, lapping up to 2nd place in round 6.
Chris wanted a challenge, so decided to take out his Stock Class Yamaha FZR in the Pro-Am Runabout Open Class in Round 6 against some of the World's top riders. In true Chris MacClugage fashion he arose to the challenge and won both Moto 1 & 2 in Pro Am Runabout Open taking the overall win.
Round 5
Moto 1 Pro-Am Stock Runabout class 1st
Moto2 Pro-Am Stock Runabout class 1st
Round 6
Moto 1 Pro-Am Stock Runabout class 1st
Moto 2 Pro-Am Stock Runabout class 1st
Moto 1 Pro-Am Open Runabout class 1st
Moto 2 Pro-Am Open Runabout class 1st
3 Overall 1st Places
Rachel MacClugage also won all four of her races giving her the overall points lead in the APBA National Tour.
We look forward to Round 7 & 8 which will be held in Harbor Beach Michigan .
A big thank you to Monster Energy, Yamaha, MoTec (Pete), R&D (Bill Chapin) ,Macc Racing, Maxima Race oils, Quakysense, JE Pistons, HT Moto, Thor, Oakley, Carrillo, Race Deck.
Bring The Noize Tour - Rick Thorne Update
Hello everybody hope all is well I am on my tour called "Bring The
Noize" I created and Monster Energy & Boost Mobile is sponsoring my
vision also my band Good Guys In Black is playing, I host, ride, and run the
tour if you want to check the schedule go to my www.rickthorne.tv and GGIB
is www.myspace.com/goodguysinblack
I have attached an NEW GGIB Track called "Moving On".
ESPN you can SUBSCRIBE for FREE:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/archive?id=2604930
Rick THorne
www.rickthorne.tv
www.myspace.com/goodguysinblack
ESPN Action Sports Podcast:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/iphone/cast?id=2604930
Bring The Noize Tour 2009
Burandt Update!
What’s up to all my Monster Army peeps! Just when I thought winter was over, this weekend it’s supposed to snow! C’mon man…I want to dirt bike! LOL I really don’t have any cool stories like my sled team mate Paul (I think my side burns are cool) Thacker from the Gumball 3000, but I do have some pretty exciting news. Slednecks and I just finished up on Volume 2 of Burandt’s Back Country Adventure the video. I am super stoked on how it turned out and it’s so cool to be the only snowmobile athlete out there with his own video line. I’m so thankful for all the fans for their support and demand for this awesome project. Stay tuned as here shortly I will have a teaser for the vid posted on www.Monster energy.com. Also, only 2 ½ more months before there’s going to be a little “Big Air” running around. I am so pumped to be a dad! Well, the wife and I are heading to Ohio to visit some family for a little vacation. Catch up with you all soon!
By the way, check out these cool pics from a photo shoot I did a couple weeks ago. Some of these shots will be used in a feature article on Burandt’s Back country Adventure in an upcoming Sno-X magazine. Stay tuned!
Burandt
Monster Energy Motocross Results: Hangtown
Monster Energy Motocross Results: Hangtown
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Pourcel
wins 250 class @ Hangtown; Monster/Kawi’s Villopoto, who won the 450s
last week, is out with an injury
CORONA, Calif., (June 1, 2009) – Monster
Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel put up a powerful
statement this past weekend at round two of the ’09 Lucas Oil AMA MX
Nationals, winning the first 250 class moto in the closing laps, then posted
another excellent performance in the second moto to land on the podium again (3rd)
– securing his first overall pro motocross win here in the States.
“I am pleased to win here at Hangtown, but there is
still a lot of racing left this season and our goal as a team is the overall
championship,” said Pourcel. “I will look forward to seeing all the
fans of motocross this weekend in Texas and, hopefully, we can do well
again.”
Pourcel’s effort almost came up a bit short as he was
docked a position – along with five other MX 250 class racers – by
the AMA for passing under a yellow flag situation. His actual race results,
1-2, was changed to 1-3 and he still was able to take the overall.
Rounding out the 250 class top placers for Monster
Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki were Tyla Rattray in 5th place
(4-7), Jake Weimer in 8th place (8-8) and Austin Stroupe
in 15th (11-30).
And while good fortune was prevalent with the Monster
Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, Monster Energy/Kawasaki was deal a thunderous
blow when it’s star racer and winner of the opening MX Nationals’
Glen Helen round, Ryan Villopoto, was unable to contest the entire
Hangtown event – pulling out early with a knee injury he sustained
earlier in the week while practicing for Hangtown.
“We know Ryan is a tough competitor,” said
Monster Energy/Kawasaki team manager Mike Fisher in a statement issued from the
Monster Energy/Kawasaki team on Saturday. “He (Villopoto) has been riding
great and it is a shame he can’t be out there on the track. We will
continue to evaluate his condition heading into the next event.”
Representing Monster Energy in the premier 450 class at
Hangtown were Nick Wey (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster/Troy-JLaw Racing), who
placed 12th (12-15), and Josh Hill (Monster/Yamaha), who
placed 15th (10-20).
This weekend the Monster Energy-backed MX racers head to
Wortham, Texas, for round three of the series at Freestone Raceway. For more
information on the Lucas Oil AMA MX Nationals, link to their website at: www.mxnationals.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 Lucas Oil AMA MX Nationals dig ‘em – so
will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com
and www.monsterenergy.com
Billabong XXL Awards tonight on ESPN2 !
Monster Energy’s Bobby Martinez Tops The World’s Best Surfers @ Billabong Pro Tahiti
Monster Energy’s Bobby Martinez Tops The World’s Best Surfers @ Billabong Pro Tahiti
American Martinez’ win at Teahupoo is the second Billabong Pro Tahiti win of his career, tops a field that includes Burrow, Slater, Fanning, Irons and the Hobgoods
CORONA, Calif., (May 20, 2009) – Monster Energy-backed surfer Bobby Martinez (Santa Barbara, Calif.) is on top of the pro surfing world after captured top honors at the recent Billabong Pro Tahiti, presented by Air Tahiti Nui, in Teahupoo. The 26-year-old Martinez bested a field of the world’s top touring pro surfers, including Taj Burrow, Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Andy Irons and the Hobgood brothers.
“I feel great and a bit emotional,” said Martinez in a press statement from the ASP World Tour. “I waited for the good ones (waves) out there and just got lucky. There weren’t too many waves and I was lucky enough to get a couple of good ones and not fall. Things just seemed to work out for me. I really don’t know what to say. It feels really special.”
Contesting the third of ten events on the ’09 ASP World Tour, Martinez opened with a strong heat, scoring an 8.73 out of a possible 10. The highly decorated Californian amateur surfer, who joined the World tour in ‘06, continued to pour it on in blazing to one of the year’s best finals’ run scores of the year – a 9.73 – which was certainly the highest-scored run at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. And Martinez’ 9.73 couldn’t have come at a better time either as it increased his finals score versus Burrow to 18.46 out of 20, which sealed his fourth elite tour win of his young career.
And what makes this even more interesting? Martinez pulled it off on a borrowed board after breaking a number of his own while ripping during the long waiting period leading up to the heat events.
“I actually borrowed a board from Alain Riou,” said Martinez of the local Tahitian surfer. “He rides Darren Handley shapes and the board was the same dimensions and pretty much the same shape I ride. It was great to find that as yesterday I was a bit skeptical about today in terms of the conditions and my equipment. But everything worked out perfectly.
About the best compliment an athlete can get is one that comes from another competitor, to which top European surfer and 3rd place Billabong Pro Tahiti competitor, Aritz Aranburu – who topped surf great Kelly Slater in his draw – said: “Bobby (Martinez) is one of the best out there.”
In the end Martinez was humble and very honored with the win and congratulations from his fellow surfers, saying simply: “I didn’t start surfing to make money – I started for me, and to win today…you cannot put a price on the feelings I have. I’m really going to let it sink in and enjoy it.”
Overall, after three rounds of ASP World Tour surfing action, Monster Energy’s Martinez sits in 7th place in the standings with 2,025 points – just 149 points out of the top five. The next stop on the ASP World Tour, Brazil ’s Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, is scheduled for June 27 to July 5th.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it surfing, off road, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, 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. Bobby Martinez digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
Monster Energy’s Amateur MX Racers Win Big @ Vegas Mini GPs, Notably Wilson & Cianciarulo
Top Monster/Kawasaki/Team Green racers Dean Wilson and Adam Cianciarulo each win multiple titles, Tiford, Bell and Surratt also win titles for Team Green
Photos courtesy of: www.kawasaki.com
CORONA, Calif., (April 13, 2009) – Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green athletes – led by Dean Wilson - won big at this past week/weekend’s 19th annual World Mini Grand Prix in Las Vegas, the third of eight major amateur MX national races on the 2009 schedule.
Running the glowing green M-claw logo in a premier 250 and 450 pro class sweep (four classes, including Stock and Modified on his KX250F and 450F) was Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Team Green’s Wilson. Monster Energy’s hottest amateur MX racer, Wilson topped rival and fellow Monster-backed amateur Christian Craig (Yamaha) straight up to win the most coveted titles at the Vegas Mini GP.
“I’m very happy to win these titles, but I feel like there’s something missing,” said Wilson on the Kawasaki website. “I’m not sure exactly, but I know that I really want to come out this year with a ride in the pros for 2010. This weekend and eventually Loretta’s (the August race at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, amateur MX’s biggest prize) is a big step towards that goal.”
The other Monster Energy-backed racer aboard Team Green Kawasakis that really stood out in Vegas was Adam Cianciarulo. Thus far one of the most successful amateur racers in the history of the sport, the 12-year-old Cianciarulo – who recently moved up in classes – won two championships at the Mini GPs (85/150 Stock 12-13 and Super Mini Thru 13).
Other Monster Energy-backed racers on the Team Green program winning titles at the Vegas Mini GPs include: Zach Bell (Super Mini Thru 16), Willie Surratt (Plus 40 Pro) and Preston Tilford (450 4-Stroke Non-Pro).
Next up for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki/Team Green amateur MX gang will be the 34th annual Grand Nationals of Motocross at Ponca City, July 27th through Aug. 1.
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
Monster Energy’s Claire Bevilacqua Wins The Women’s Pipeline Pro In Oahu, Hawaii
Monster Energy’s Claire Bevilacqua Wins The Women’s Pipeline Pro In Oahu, Hawaii
Monster’s Aussie surf great is on point in the shortboard division, dominating the field of top women surfers in the 2-3’ conditions for the ASP 4-star WQS event
CORONA, Calif., (April 10, 2009) – Monster Energy-backed surfer Claire “Bevo” Bevilacqua captured the top spot in the shortboard division at the recent Tidal 9 Women’s Pipeline Pro held in Oahu, Hawaii, an Association of Professional Surfers (ASP) 4-star event on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) tour.
Bevilacqua, who with the win moves into 2nd place overall in the WQS behind Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich (2665-2600 points), made the Women’s Pipeline Pro finals through a combination of proper wave selection and flat out blazing surfing in the 2-3’ conditions.
Up against the United States’ Anastasia Ashley and Carissa Moore, along with fellow Australian Laura Enever in the finals, Bevilacqua surfed strong early and distanced herself – along with Moore – in the points. With time running out “Bevo” caught the best wave of the heat, blasted into the barrel and, more importantly, back out – then slashed a turn off the top of the wave just as it closed out. The day’s top score would go to Bevilacqua, along with 1,000 WQS points and $3,500 in prize money.
“We all had a great time surfing for a wonderful cause,” said Bevilacqua of the contest that was sponsored by Culturalization, a North Shore Community outreach program that introduces girls and young women to Girl Scouts. “I was stoked to win and thank Monster for their continued support.”
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it surfing, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, rock crawling, wake, mini bikes, 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. Claire Bevilacqua digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com
“Peaks & Lagoons Weekend” Brings Spring Parties, Concerts, Competitions & Easter Festivities to Squaw Valley, April 11-12, 2009
[Squaw Valley USA] April 7, 2009- Tahoe’s longest season, the Swimming Lagoon & Spa at High Camp, superb ski conditions, and the best party scene on the Lake are all reasons why skiers and riders flock to Squaw Valley in the spring. A tribute to springtime goodness, Squaw Valley USA is hosting Peaks & Lagoons, a weekend-long celebration taking place April 11-12, 2009. Live music at the pool, the Hatchett Brothers Metal Bash, Toyota Sick & Twisted Slopestyle and Jibbing-for-Jacksons rail contest are all part of Peaks & Lagoons Weekend, April 11-12 at Squaw Valley USA.
On Saturday, April 11, Monster Energy and Squaw Valley USA are hosting the wildly popular Jibbing-for-Jacksons rail contest, followed by a DJ Pool Party. Jibbing-for-Jacksons is open to 50 skiers and 50 snowboarders, male and female (100 total competitors). This Best Tricks Jam Session contest has no losers, but can have many, many winners. Each time a judge sees a skier or rider stomp a trick worthy of a “Jackson,” Monster officials hand the competitor a $20 bill. Registration is from 9 to 11 am, outside the side exit of the top terminal of the Funitel. Practice starts at 11:30 am and the competition begins shortly after. Entry fee for all riders is $20 (it’s about the Jacksons) and helmets are mandatory. Athletes under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at registration to sign a liability release form.
On Saturday afternoon the action moves to High Camp, el. 8200,’ for the Monster Energy DJ Pool Party featuring DJ Max, beginning at 1 pm at the Lagoon and Spa. Spring breakers can shred the mountain in the morning and spend the afternoon poolside, sipping on a cold one and dancing to fresh beats until 4 pm.
The night of Saturday, April 11, Standard Films and Squaw present Hatchett Brothers’ 80’s Metal Bash featuring FORTRESS at the Olympic Village Lodge. Doors open at 8 pm and the show starts at 9 pm. Fronting FORTRESS is Jeff Martin from Racer X and Whitfield Crane from Ugly Kid Joe. Together their vocal talents can shatter a beer mug. FORTRESS members Mike and Dave Hatchett (guitar) will also be joined by special guests Scott Travis from Judas Priest and Klaus Eichstadt from Ugly Kid Joe. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, and are on sale now at Porter’s in Tahoe City and Truckee (cash only). Partygoers must be 21 or older and are strongly encouraged to "dress metal."
Toyota’s Sick & Twisted Freestyle Tour is amping up Peaks & Lagoons with a slopestyle competition on Sunday, April 12 in the Monster Park at Riviera. Snowbomb will crown the best men and women in ski and snowboard in pro and amateur categories. With cash prizes for pros and great flow from the sponsors for ams, the best of the best in local talent come out for Sick & Twisted. Registration is from 9 am to 10:30 am at Dave’s Deli. Practice is from 10:30 to 11:30 am and the competition starts at 12 pm in the Monster Park at Riviera. There is a $10 entry fee for ams and $20 for pros plus lift ticket or season pass. Helmets are required for all competitors and a parent/guardian must sign a release form for competitors who are under 18. www.snowbomb.com
Peaks & Lagoons Event Schedule (events are subject to change due to weather)
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Jibbing for Jacksons presented by Monster Energy
9 - 11 am – Registration @ top terminal of the Funitel
11:30 am – Practice @ Monster Park at Riviera
12 pm – Competition @ Monster Park at Riviera
Peaks & Lagoons DJ Pool Party presented by Monster Energy
1-4 pm @ Lagoon & Spa at High Camp, el. 8200’
Hatchett Brothers’ 80’s Metal Bash
Doors open – 8 pm @ OVL
Show Starts – 9 pm @ OVL
Squaw Valley USA Annual Tent Sale
This amazing sale event offers with up to 70% off North Face, Patagonia, Burton and more!
Sale will be held all Easter weekend from 10 am-4 pm
Location: in front of the North Face Store at Squaw Valley.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
20th Annual Billy Dutton Uphill Race
7 am – Registration @ Olympic Plaza
8 am – Race Starts @ the Funitel
Toyota Sick & Twisted Slopestyle presented by Snowbomb
9 – 10:30 am – Registration @ Dave’s Deli
10:30 – 11 am – Practice @ Monster Park at Riviera
12 pm – Competition starts @ Monster Park at Riviera
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
Easter Sunday Service
8 am – Service begins @ High Camp, el. 8200'
Guests attending the service can ride the Cable Car from 7-8 am and return afterward (skis and snowboards are not permitted).
On-Mountain Easter Egg Hunt
9 am- 4 pm – Easter Egg Hunt on the Mountain
Find any of the 30 magnetic & colorful eggs hidden throughout the mountain and receive a great prize! (Hint: think beginner lift areas). Prizes can be redeemed from 2 to 4 pm in the Village Events Plaza.
Get Your Photo Taken with the Easter Bunny
10 am-2 pm: Easter Bunny Photos @ the Big Chair in the Village Events Plaza
Easter Sunday Special Mountain Top Service
2 pm - @ the top Link's Chair Easter
FREE Children's Entertainment with Todd Wees' Big Ideas and Live Music
2-4 pm - @ Village Events Plaza
Easter-themed Candle Making at Waxen Moon
All-day - @ Waxen Moon
Squaw Valley USA Annual Tent Sale
This amazing sale event offers with up to 70% off North Face, Patagonia, Burton and more!
Sale will be held all Easter weekend from 10 am-4 pm
Location: in front of the North Face Store at Squaw Valley
The most up-to-date resort conditions, operation schedules, events and live mountain cams are available on www.squaw.com.
Monster Energy’s Hill, Jonnier, Fairclough & Graves Open Nissan UCI World Cup MTB Tour In S. Africa
Monster Energy’s Hill, Jonnier, Fairclough & Graves Open Nissan UCI World Cup MTB Tour In S. Africa
Monster’s World Cup mt. bike racers Sam Hill and Sabrina Jonnier look to regain WC DH titles they’ve once owned, while Jared Graves is one of the favorites in 4x
Photo: Monster Energy’s Brendan Fairclough (left) and Sam Hill, courtesy of Fraser Britton
CORONA, Calif., (April 7, 2009) – Monster Energy’s global representatives on the Nissan UCI World Cup mountain bike tour are in South Africa for the World Cup opener this weekend (April 10-12) in Pietermaritzburg. Leading the Monster Army in hopes of regaining their UCI World Cup downhill champion status are Sam Hill, the 2007 men’s elite WC DH champ, and Sabrina Jonnier, a three time women’s elite WC DH champion.
Hill, running the new Specialized Demo 8 bike, is one of the odds-on favorites to capture the men’s elite title this season. Last year the Australian great held the series’ overall points lead for the longest out of any rider, but sketched at the second-to-last round on his home turf in Canberra (Australia) and lost out to Greg Minnaar.
“I’m pretty excited the World Cup is starting again and we've got all our new bikes,” said Hill. “It’s gonna be good to do some runs with Brendan again and see how we size up compared to all the others on Sunday. Hopefully we come out good.”
Monster Energy’s Jonnier, who rides for Maxxis, has been – by far – one of the most successful women downhill racers in the history of UCI World Cup competition. Along with her three WC DH titles (2003, ’05 & ’07) the France native has also been the series’ runner-up four times (2002, ’04, ’06 and ’08).
“I’m entering the World Cup season healthy and feeling good about things,” said Jonnier. “It’ll be interesting to see who’s fast at the South African opener, check out the new talent and how they do against the racers that have traditionally gone fast. My plan is to just keep the mental errors to a minimum and ride like I know how.”
Joining Hill and Jonnier in the DH starting gate will be Hill’s Monster Energy teammate on the Specialized bikes, Brendan Fairclough – the 2006 Junior World Cup champion. A UK native, Fairclough is looking at a breakout year as he begins his third year racing the men’s elite class on the World Cup DH circuit.
“I've taken a bit of a different approach in the off season, so I’m interested to see how it turns out with the racing,” said Fairclough. “Like Sam said, I'm just keen to get out there and see how we perform against those other boys. I'm excited about it. I'm stoked on the look of the new bikes, kit and how well they ride. I'm just excited to get going again, really.”
The Pietermaritzburg downhill is reported to be quite technical on the upper third portion of the 2.8km course, dropping quickly (in elevation) during the initial phase before mellowing out on what race officials call the “mildly sloping” middle section – featuring jumps and tight turns. The course then cascades into the third and final section, which works in the last 500 meters of the 4x course into the finish area, hosting a sizable crowd of UCI World Cup race fans.
The final Monster Energy-backed athlete competing on in Pietermaritzburg will be newly-signed Jared Graves. The DH and 4x specialist from Australia should make an immediate impact on the standings with Monster as he’s well-versed in numerous forms of cycle racing at top levels, including representing Australia in the Beijing Olympics in BMX.
For more information on the Monster Energy mt. bike racers competing at the UCI World Cup opener in Pietermaritzburg, catch a link to: http://www.nissan-ucimtbworldcup.com/
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
Monster/PC/Kawi’s Pourcel, ESX title already clinched, wins the last round before the series heads west; teammate Pourcel’s 3rd and Monster’s Hill is 4th in SX class
CORONA, Calif., (April 6, 2009) – Monster Energy’s Christophe Pourcel (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki), having already wrapped up the ’09 ESX title, put an exclamation point on his first American supercross championship by winning the final ESX round in Jacksonville, round 14 of 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.
“I’ve got the championship already, but to win (Jacksonville) would be awesome,” said Pourcel prior to Saturday’s competition in front of 35,000-plus fans at Municipal Stadium.
Heat one in the SX Lites class looked to be all Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Austin Stroupe – at least in the opening stages. Stroupe got out in 2nd place behind Will Hahn, then charged past Hahn through a double/double section to take the lead on lap two. Pushing hard – and maybe harder than he needed to – Stroupe tucked the front end of his KX250F into the dirt off a jump heading into a corner and was thrown over the bars. Uninjured, Stroupe got back up and got going again, but had gone from 1st to 12th in the quick-hitting six lap race.
“Yeah, at that point I just wanted to get back and catch a transfer spot,” said Stroupe, who fought back to the ninth and final transfer spot.
In the second Lites heat race Pourcel got past Matt Lemoine (who’d pulled the holeshot) and into the early lead. But a rare mistake would put Pourcel back a number of spots when he bobbled in a corner and stalled his bike. Able to re-fire in descent time, Pourcel still lost a bunch of spots with all the riders grouped together near the start of the race charging past him. The Frenchman made it back easily into the transfer positions, running from 10th to 6th by the end of the second heat.
In the main neither Pourcel, who was the fastest rider in qualifying practice (54.224), and Stroupe (2nd fastest qualifier at 54.952) had great gate picks. Pourcel would move up first, completing a spectacular pass on lap two in getting past Vince Friese and Steve Clark to take over 2nd place. Soon after Stroupe, who’d started outside the top ten, moved up to 8th place with a pass over previous ESX Lites round winner Blake Wharton.
With seven laps to go in the contest Pourcel set up and passed race leader Hahn with a nice move on the corner after the finish line jump, forcing Hahn wide and taking over a lead he’d never relinquish.
“He (Pourcel) lets the race come to him, isn’t very flashy, just very disciplined,” said Monster Energy athlete Ricky Carmichael on Pourcel. Note: Carmichael joined SPEED SX announcers Ralph Shaheen and Jeff Emig in the booth for the Jacksonville contest. “He got what he wanted (SX Lites championship) and probably wants the outdoor championship as well.”
As Pourcel celebrated over the finish line jump, Stroupe was pulling out all the stops to close on Nico Izzi for the third and final podium spot. Stroupe would catch a break in one of the final sections when Izzi dove bomb his bike into the face of triple landing, though his bouncing bike almost cleaned out Stroupe as well – who was coming down from 30-feet to land the jump properly.
“I’ve felt good since last weekend and the track was pretty technical, hard to pass and I was having to back off,” said Stroupe. “A couple guys fell late and I was able to move up. Hat’s off to Izzi. I hope he’s all right.”
Monster Energy athletes represented pretty well in the SX main class with Josh Hill (Yamaha) leading the charge in 4th place.
“I’m not going to be happy if I’m not in the top five at the last four races this season,” said a fired-up Hill prior to Jacksonville’s contest.
Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki’s Paul Carpenter made it to the SX main event out of the first heat race (8th), though Hill crashed early and was forced to the LCQ. In the second heat race Monster’s Jason Lawrence (Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing) was on fire, finishing 2nd to eventual race winner James Stewart. Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Billy Laninovich was able to pick up the last transfer spot (9th) to make the SX main.
Hill would end up making the best of the LCQ and some added views of the technical Jacksonville track, winning that contest by just under three seconds ahead of Thomas Hahn. Unfortunately, Lawrence’s Boost Mobile/ampm/Monster Energy/Troy Racing teammate, Nick Wey, placed 3rd in the LCQ and missed out making the SX main by one spot.
In the main Hill was again plagued by bad luck early in the contest, starting well outside the top ten and having to charge through a field of the best supercross racers in the world in order to move up. He’d eventually have better luck than Lawrence, who’d have a run-in with Brock Hepler battling for 4th place on the second lap. Another collision would bend Lawrence’s front brake rotor – which would end his evening.
Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Laninovich also got out slowly at the start, but dug in and worked hard to make it back into the top ten – racing on the lead lap through much of the contest in finishing 10th. Hill was on fire, though, and put up the fifth-fastest lap time in the main in charging all the way to 4th place.
Monster Energy Supercross takes a two week break here for the Easter holiday before returning to action April 18 in Seattle for round 15 of the 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