Monster Energy’s MacClugage & Warner Sweep APBA Opener On Their Monster/Kawasaki Water Craft

MacClugage (1-2) and Warner (6-1) are best in Pro Am Open race at the American Power Boat Association’s National Tour opener in Parker, Ariz.

CORONA, Calif., (May 7, 2008) – Monster Energy/Kawasaki personal water craft racers Chris MacClugage and Craig Warner got off to a dynamite start recently on the American Power Boat Association’s (APBA) National Tour, both winning main events in the two-day APBA season opener in Parker, Ariz.

Both MacClugage and Warner were running the Monster Energy-branded Kawasaki Ultra 250s in the Pro Am Open class, with MacClugage striking first blood when a charging Warner broke a belt on his supercharger and lost power in the first moto. MacClugage was able to go on and win that moto, with Warner having to settle for a DNF.




But Warner would rebound in a big way in the second moto of the first day’s races, forcing the holeshot with an outside sweeping move and chopping everybody down in the second turn. From there he (Warner) pulled away from the rest of the field and lapped up to 3rd place – securing the second moto win with ease. End result: MacClugage 1st overall (1st -2nd ), Warner 6th (DNF-1st ).



The second day began with Warner opting for his back up boat, a Kawasaki STX15F. In the first moto he blasted out to a 2nd place start, but would bobble on the second lap while gunning for the lead. “On the next lap I let it all hang out and passed the 2nd and 1st place riders, then dominated the field and lapped up to 3rd place again for my second victory,” said Warner.







Warner set up much of the field in turn four at Parker. Confident with his efforts, he switched back to his Monster Energy/Kawasaki Ultra 250 and pulled the holeshot again – sweeping to the outside and splitting two riders for the lead. “I dominated the field by a half lap and lapped up to 3rd place again,” added Warner. “Chris MacClugage and I went head-to-head on very similar boats and it was a great battle for us. I came away with three moto wins and one DNF and was very happy with my performance. Thanks a lot to Monster Energy for backing us.” End result from Sunday: Warner 1st (1st -1st ), MacClugage 2nd (2nd -2nd ).



Up next for Monster Energy’s MacClugage and Warner is the June 7-8 APBA National Tour stop in Myrtle Beach , S.C.

Up and Down Day for Team Dakar USA in the Central Europe Rally

Find more photos like this on Robby's upRising


Veszprem, Hungary – It was a seesaw day for Team Dakar USA. Over the past three stages when things have gone well for Robby Gordon and his Monster Hummer, BJ Baldwin and the Vanguard Hummer has had its set of challenges. Today the roles were reversed.

The Central Europe Rally shifted back to Hungary and revisited the site of the first special in Dubras, just outside Budapest. Gordon impressed on the first special of the day, finishing third in the opening segment. BJ Baldwin was in full attack mode as well but managed to tangle with a tree. That episode relegated him to seventh on the first special.

Team Dakar USA then travelled 201km to the start of the second special in Veszprem where the rally will be for the next two days.

There was no holding back for either of the two hummer teams. Gordon and Grider were flying when a rock managed to sever the rear brake line. The duo acted quickly to cap of the line and continue with only front brakes. Navigation errors by some of the top rivals allowed them to close up the gap only to give it back when the Hummer H3 went off the track just a few kilometers from the end of the special.

The second special was the best moment yet for BJ Baldwin and navigator Kevin Heath. Coming from the back the team scored an impressive 5th place finish which vaulted them up to 15th in the overall classifications. With Gordon’s mechanical luck he dropped back to eight in the standings, 7:05 adrift.

Tomorrow’s stage five will remain in Veszprem which is good terrain for the Hummers. The wide open, sometimes motorcross like tracks make for spectacular rallying and Team Dakar USA plans to charge again.

Coverage of the Central Europe Rally can be seen in the United States on DirecTV. The half hour show will be aired twice – first at 7p.m. EST and then again at 12:30a.m. Additional rally coverage can also be found on robbygordon.com and robbysuprising.com where Team Dakar USA will have daily updates, the twitter micro blog feed, and videos.