Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ferry Injured While Training

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ferry Injured While Training

Irvine, Calif. (February 27, 2008) – Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Timmy Ferry will sit out the Indianapolis round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship after he was injured while training this week.

“I bruised some ribs and also my pancreas,” said Ferry. “I was just riding at my house getting ready for the race and had a pretty bad crash. It’s a shame because I have been riding really well this year. I just can’t wait to get back to racing.”

Ferry is currently is third in the series’ standings and has scored podium finishes in four of the eight races this season.

“Like last season, Timmy is doing a great job this year,” said Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Manager Mike Fisher. “As an overall package, he is one of the greatest riders in our sport. I think that everyone who knows Timmy will be wishing him a quick and safe return to the racetrack.”

Monster Energy Kawasaki will have Travis Preston on the number 11 Kawasaki KX™450F in the final supercross race in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

Andy Finch Update

hey everybody,
a goot morgan to you from this lovely yet cold country! This week has been somewhat crazy, because Andys board bag did not arrive until Wednesday night. He did get a temporary set up, but had to spend half of the practice time just getting it together and trying to get it dialed in case his board set up did not show. Despite all of that drama, Andy was still able to pull off some awesome tricks and do great last night. They had the qualies, which only took the top 16 out of 24 guys onto the money making round. He placed 5th in the qualies and than they had three separate categories including Straight Air, Flat Spins and Inverted. Each category includes two runs and whatever your score was (1000 being the max) that is how many norweigan KRONS you would receive. So, with all three categories and runs combined Andy placed 3rd overall! You can check out this websight for more info. http://www.thearcticchallenge.com/web/tac/mainpage
this website also includes a video of andy playing his violin for the tv cameras. Andy has been practicing with a local Norweigan band “the killing machines”, which he has actually recorded with in the past and now it is just another part of andy and “the arctic challenge” that people look forward to. so, he has been getting a lot of requests to play the violin! They also had a signing for the snowboarders to do at the local “SWAG” snowboard shop, including Andy, Terje Haakenson, Kevin Pearce, scotty lago, and all the other big names! So, all the local kids were pretty excited to have a chance to the legends!
Finals are tomorow, so I will keep you updated and let you know what goes down! have a great day….
amber

Monster Energy’s Ryan Capes Mashes New Motorcycle Distance Jumping Record With His Own 322-Footer

“First time I’ve grabbed 5th (gear) on the 450,” said Capes . “I’m on the hunt and records are gonna fall.”

CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 25, 2008) – Monster Energy’s Ryan Capes, the first motorcyclist to break the magical 300-foot jump barrier, just uncorked a record-mashing 322-footer recently at Toe’s MX Park in Royal City, Wash.

“My dad and I measured it out and we jumped 323-6,” said Capes of a jump that would have been a new world record, eclipsing that of (Rob) Maddison’s recent 322-7 leap. “But Seth (Enslow) measured it at 322-6, so we went with that.”

Capes said that he and Enslow were pushing each other early, with the crusty Enslow putting up a personal-best 268 footer, which beat his old personal best of 248-feet by some 20 feet.

“I told him I’m going to push the ramp back another 20 feet and Seth said he’d watch – so he watched me tie on a 322 footer,” said Capes . “First time I’d ever grabbed 5th (gear) on the 450.”

Moving the in-run around at Toe’s, Capes says he’s got 2,000 feet of clean approach to his new Monster Energy take-off ramp. He adds that 350-400 footers are well within the realm of his ability.

“322 was a cakewalk,” said Capes . “I’m on the hunt and records are gonna fall.”

Maddison’s distance record, if not ‘officially’ topped before then, will no doubt fall at the hand of Capes @ Crusty Demon’s “Night of World Records” in Melbourne, Australia (March 29th). For more information on that gig link to www.crusty.com

Next up for Capes is a March 2nd practice session at Toe’s MX Park in Royal City . Live nearby? Come check out history. “I plan on going 350-360,” says Capes . And we wouldn’t bet against it. Directions? Link to: www.toesmxp.com

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it distance jumping, enduro, hare scrambles, MX, road racing, supermoto, FMX, skate, MTB, off-road, 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, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Ryan Capes digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

TOMMY JOHNSON WINS ROUND ONE OF 2008 ENERGY DRINK WARS; DRIVES TO FINAL FOUR AT PHOENIX.

PHOENIX (Feb. 24) – The Monster Energy Funny Car team took the information and performance gains made in pre-race testing  and used it to pay dividends at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals.

The team qualified fourth with a 4.815/318.99. 

After rain washed out Friday’s qualifying, the fields were set following two Saturday runs.

“I was really confident that we would be able to capitalize on the big strides we made in testing before this event,” said Johnson. “All the crew chiefs were a little nervous after losing a whole day to rain and having only two runs to make the field, but Jimmy (Walsh, crew chief) stepped up to the plate with a competitive tune-up on the first qualifying run Saturday to get us solidly in the show.”

            The first round of eliminations was slated to be a battle of the energy drinks:  Johnson in the Monster Energy car versus Jerry Toliver in the Rockstar Funny Car.  Johnson won the round handily, driving the Monster Energy Dodge Charger to an aggressive 4.834/310.63 while Toliver was on and off the throttle trying to gain traction.

            “We were tickled pink to get that round win,” said Johnson.   “Before that run Kenny (Bernstein, team owner) told me to just think of it as any other round, but I really wanted to get that win for him, for Monster, and the team.   I guess you could call that a high energy round,” joked Johnson.

            Johnson transferred to the quarterfinals to face Cruz Pedregon. The Monster Energy car stretched the lead and won the round with a 4.908/311.41 while Pedregon struggled to gain traction.

“We’re excited to be going to the semifinals,” said Johnson.  “We had a little bit of a problem on that run, but we’re still showing big signs of improvement. 

When the green lights flashed on the Christmas tree to signal the start of the semifinal battle, Johnson and Hight were neck and neck, but Hight got the edge at the finish line.  Hight: 4.803/318.92; Johnson:  4.837/323.50.

“We gave him a run for the money,” said Johnson.  “He just nicked us at the finish line. It’s hard to be disappointed after a performance like that.  It looked like his engine was hurt, and I thought we could reel him in, but we ran out of racetrack.

“All in all we made some great progress today and a great rebound after Pomona.  This team put in a lot of hard work and the comeback here in Phoenix is a statement for the team.  This didn’t happen by accident.  It happened because Jimmy and the crew buckled down and got results. 

“Our performance here is a big confidence booster for the whole team and I think we’re going to be very competitive for the rest of the year.”

Johnson’s run to the semis contributed to a huge leap for the team to No. 7 in Funny Car point standings

EIGHTH-ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT GALA SET FOR APRIL 11, 2008 IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

EIGHTH-ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT GALA SET FOR APRIL 11, 2008 IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — (February 21, 2008) – New entries are flooding in from Europe, Hawaii and California, and with less than a month remaining in the annual cycle for the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Monster Energy, few are doubting that a number of records are going to be shattered.  The last eleven months have proven among the most extraordinary in the history of big wave surfing, with an unprecedented 420+ entry images from all around the planet providing visual evidence of the mammoth surf on the event website at BillabongXXL.com.

New video clips and still photos continue to arrive week after week in all key categories of the event including the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award, Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award powered by Honda, Monster Tube Award and Monster Paddle Award.  Also featured are the Surfline Best Overall Performance Award and the Billabong Girl’s Performance Award.  In total, over $120,000 in prize money will be awarded in the eighth annual edition of big wave surfing’s top event.  The competition is open to all qualified, invited surfers at any surf break around the world over the course of a full year and is based on the photographic evidence.

Although there is still plenty of time for more shocking swell events to occur before the event period concludes with the Vernal (Spring) Equinox on March 19, 2008 the world’s big wave elite are already making plans to attend the gala Billabong XXL Awards ceremony this April 11 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California.  While the 2000 seats at the Grove are invitation only, the entire evening’s activities from Red Carpet arrivals to the final award will be broadcast during a live webcast at www.BillabongXXL.com and televised at a later date.

A truly global event, a number of European surfers have surged to new levels of XXL respect in recent months, with entries from France and Ireland offering their credentials as potential contenders.  The legendary Belharra Reef off southern France has reared its head once again, with an epic ride by Vincent Lartizen (Hossegor, France) reminding all of that break’s leap onto the world stage in 2003.  Likewise, the British Isles have made their first real push to prominence with performances by Duncan Scott (Newquay, Cornwall, England) and Alistair Mennie (Portrush, Northern Ireland) at Mullaghmore Head in Donegal and beneath the imposing Cliffs of Moher in County Claire.

The Monster Paddle Award has likewise become intensely competitive with extremely fresh entries from Maverick’s in Northern California and Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu. Hawaii’s Kalani Chapman and female phenom Maya Gaberia of Brazil both weighed in with some Valentine’s Day bombs last Thursday at Waimea.  As the same swell made its way to the west coast the following day, it was 18-Year-old Nick Lamb (Santa Cruz) who scratched into the wave of the session at Mavericks.

These new entries join some formidable company with amazing rides so far registered in such diverse locales as Chile, Tahiti, Western Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Tasmania and Spain. In addition to all the latest entries in each category, full event details including formats, rules and archives of past XXL years can be seen at the event website at www.BillabongXXL.com.

The Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards are presented by Monster Energy Drinks.  Verizon Wireless is the official communications provider, Surfline.com is the official surf forecast and Honda the official watercraft of the XXL. Additional support for the event comes from Hawaiian Airlines and Surfing Magazine.

2007/08 BILLABONG XXL GLOBAL BIG WAVE AWARDS
CATEGORY SUMMARY

Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award
(Greatest big wave performance on a single wave as captured on video and voted by large judging academy)
Surfer Prize: $50,000
Second Place: $5,000
Third, Fourth and Fifth Place: $1,500
Videographer Prize: $5,000

Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award
(Biggest tow-in wave ridden based on available still or video images showing maximum face height)
Surfer Prize: $15,000 plus a new Honda Aquatrax Personal Watercraft
Photo/video prize: $4,000

Monster Paddle Award
(Biggest paddle-in wave ridden based on available still or video images showing maximum face height)
Surfer Prize: $15,000
Photo/video prize: $4,000

Monster Tube Award
(Best big-wave tube still photograph based on votes of large judging academy)
Surfer Prize: $5,000
Photo Prize: $2,000

Surfline Men’s Best Overall Performance Award
(Best yearlong big wave performance at a variety of spots as voted by large judging academy)
Surfer Prize: $5,000

Billabong Girl’s Best Overall Performance Award
(Best yearlong big wave performance at a variety of spots as voted by large judging academy)
Surfer Prize: $5,000

Toyota AMA Arenacross Series Interview: Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith

February 21, 2008

Live Nation news

Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki’s Kelly Smith has enjoyed a rock-solid first full season on the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series tour. So much so he was and, the way things go in arenacross you can pretty much say “still is,” in the overall title battle with Bad Boy/TUF/Honda’s Chad Johnson.

Heading into this past weekend – a two-race, stand-alone round in front of a packed house at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville – Smith had Johnson in the crosshairs. He’d (Smith) passed his teammate, Brock Sellards, in the overall points chase and entered the Pikeville round trailing by a mere nine points (316-307). It was ‘go time’ for the heavyweights.

But what could have been a points lead change or, at the least, another chunk taken out of Chad Johnson’s lead turned into pretty much a disaster for Smith. On Friday he was run off the track and had to fight just to make it back to 4th – with Johnson winning. Then on Saturday the worst-case-scenario happened when he and teammate Sellards took each other out in the first turn of the main event.

A watershed moment for the 2007-’08 Toyota AMA Arenacross Series, Pikeville was a huge disappointment for Smith and the entire Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki team. However, playing in Smith’s favor is the fact that he’s been consistent all year. That 33-point gap (366-333) between he and Chad Johnson could be whittled down to eight points in one of the four main events leading up to the final Saturday night of Toyota AMA Arenacross Series racing in Green Bay, Wis. (March 15).

This weekend Smith and the Monster/Babbitt’s/ Kawasaki team, according to Smith, will head to Sacramento (Calif.) while Johnson’s team owner, Dave Antolak, has already made it clear Johnson will be racing at Greensboro (N.C.). Although the Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki team won’t get another shot at Johnson until Denver (Feb. 29-March 1), they should still see some pretty tight competition as the top Californian racers – many of whom just wrapped up the first stage of the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites racing (until Seattle, April 26th) – and the Albuquerque, N.M.-based brothers Johnson (Keith and Kevin) will likely contest the Sacramento Toyota AMA Arenacross Series round.

Either way, Smith’s got an uphill battle on his hands. He knows that and is ready to buckle down and chase after all the points he can get leading up to Green Bay.

Arenacross.com: Kelly, talk about your weekend in Pikeville.

Kelly Smith: “It was bad! Things started off well when Brock and I were five seconds faster than Chad’s heat race, but it turned for the worse when, in the main, Corey Green ran me off the track before the catapult. I lost several positions and could only catch up to fourth. Then for Saturday’s heat we were faster again, and during the holeshot in the main, Chad, Brock and I were coming into the first turn together, and Brock ran into Chad, but went down and took me with him. It bent my shifter, so I wasn’t able to shift. I caught up to about 9th and with a few laps to go, my bike went into neutral because of the bent shifter, and it caused me to crash again.”

Arenacross.com: Obviously, the results didn’t turn out the way you’d have liked. What can you pull out of the weekend that’s positive?

Kelly Smith: “I’m alive and healthy.” (laughter)

Arenacross.com: Thirty three points separate you and Chad Johnson. Talk about your strategy this weekend. Greensboro or Sacramento and why?

Kelly Smith: “We’re going to Sacramento for the TV coverage. Att this point, there’s no real strategy except to win races and pray for a miracle!”

Arenacross.com: Anything can happen in the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series. That said, with three races left, talk about your chances of being able to challenge for the title come Green Bay (March 15).

Kelly Smith: “There are five main events, so it’s more like having five rounds… and yeah, anything can happen. Chad failed to qualify in Reno once, and it can happen again.”

Arenacross.com: Overall, sum up your first year racing the Toyota AMA Arenacross Series with the Monster/Babbitt’s/Kawasaki team.

Kelly Smith: “Other than the disappointment last weekend, overall, it’s been a good year as my first year of Arenacross. I’m glad to be a title contender on my first attempt.”

Here’s your weekly 10lb bag of facts and stats….

Live Nation news

Monster Energy® Supercross

Atlanta, Georgia Dome

AMA Supercross Class Notes:
-First race: March 5th, 1977 and Bob Hannah won on a Yamaha.
-This will be the 30th time the gate will drop for an AMA Supercross class race in Atlanta.
-First time winners in Atlanta: Bob Hannah-1977, Chuck Sun-1980, Jeff Stanton-1989, Damon Huffman-1997.
-Yamaha won the first race in Atlanta in 1977. It was held at the old Fulton County Stadium. In 1992, Damon Bradshaw (Yamaha) won the last AMA Supercross race Fulton County Stadium. In 1993, the race was moved to the Georgia dome where Damon Bradshaw once again on a Yamaha earned the win.
Wins by Brand in Atlanta
Yamaha – 10
Honda – 9
Kawasaki – 6
Suzuki – 4

-Atlanta did not host a race in 1987 and 1988.
-Riders to win three consecutive races in Atlanta: Bradshaw in 1991-1993, Jeremy McGrath in 1998-2000, Ricky Carmichael in 2001-2003
-Most wins by a rider in Atlanta:
Carmichael-5, McGrath-5, Damon Bradshaw-3 and Hannah-3.
-Ricky Carmichael is the only rider to win in Atlanta on three different brands – Kawasaki, Honda, and Suzuki.
-Riders to win in the AMA Supercross and AMA Supercross Lites classes in Atlanta: Bradshaw, Carmichael, Chad Reed and James Stewart.

AMA Supercross Class Notables – Last Race at Houston
-Kevin Windham won his 13th AMA Supercross race in Houston. He is now 12th on the all time AMA Supercross win list.
-Windham broke Honda’s 53-race winless streak in Houston. Honda’s last win was at Anaheim 1 in 2005 where Kevin Windham scored the victory.
-Kevin Windham is in his 11th season of AMA Supercross racing. He has 126 starts, 78 top-5 finishes and 53 podiums.
-Reed now has 80 podiums. If he gets one more podium he will be tied with Mike LaRocco for third on the all time AMA Supercross podium list.
-Reed and Windham are the only two riders this season not to finish out of the top five.
AMA Supercross Class Stats – Atlanta
-First race, February 23, 1985 and Eddie Warren won on a Kawasaki.
-This will be the 23rd time the gate will drop for an AMA Supercross L2ites race in Atlanta.
-Brian Swink and Ricky Carmichael are the only riders to win back to back Lites races in Atlanta.
-Keith Turpin and Ezra Lusk are the only riders from Georgia to win in Atlanta.
-Yamaha won five races in a row with five different riders from 99 to 03 in Atlanta.
-First ever AMA Supercross Lites East Coast champion was Eddie Warren.
-Former Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites champions to go on and win the AMA Supercross championship: Carmichael, Reed, and Stewart.
-First non-American rider to win the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites championship was Mickael Pichon from France. Others include: Ernesto Fonseca from Costa Rica, Stephane Roncada from France, Chad Reed from Australia, and Ben Townley from New Zealand.
-In 1997, Tim Ferry won win the East Coast title without winning a single main event.

Wins by Brand in Atlanta
Kawasaki-7
Yamaha-7
Suzuki-4
Honda-4
AMA Supercross Lites Notables – Houston
-Austin Stroupe gets won his first AMA Supercross Lites race.
-In 18 seasons that Team Pro Circuit has been racing, there has only been one season where they failed to win a single Lites class race.
-Stroupe’s win was Pro Circuit’s 88th AMA Supercross Lites class win.

Former Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Champions
1985-Eddie Warren, Kawasaki
1986-Kieth Turpin, Honda
1987-Ron Tichnor, Suzuki
1988-Todd DeHoop, Suzuki
1989-Damon Bradshaw, Yamaha
1990-Denny Stephenson, Suzuki
1991-Brian Swink, Honda
1992-Brian Swink, Suzuki
1993-Doug Henry, Honda
1994-Ezra Lusk, Suzuki
1995-Mickael Pichon, Kawasaki
1996-Mickael Pichon, Kawasaki
1997-Tim Ferry, Suzuki
1998-Ricky Carmichael, Kawasaki
1999-Ernesto Fonseca, Yamaha
2000-Stephane Roncada, Yamaha
2001-Travis Pastrana, Suzuki
2002-Chad Reed, Yamaha
2003-Branden Jesseman, Suzuki
2004-James Stewart, Kawasaki
2005-Grant Langston, Kawasaki
2006-Davi Millsaps, Honda
2007-Ben Townley, Kawasaki

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Titles by Brand
Brand         Number of Titles      First Title             Last Title
Suzuki               8                          1987                        2003
Kawasaki           7                         1985                         2007
Honda                4                         1986                         2006
Yamaha             4                         1989                         2002
AMA Supercross Class Laps Led

Chad Reed                                 80

James Stewart                           20

Kevin Windham                          23

Grant Langston                            3

David Millsaps                             9
AMA Supercross Lites Class Laps Led

Jason Lawrence                          47

Ryan Dungey                             26

Jake Weimer                               5

Austin Stroupe                           15

Daniel Reardon                            4

Broc Hepler                                 3
Progressive Holeshot Award (AMA Supercross Class)

Grant Langston (Anaheim 1)

Mike Alessi (Phoenix)

Mike Alessi (Anaheim 2)

Tim Ferry (San Francisco)

Chad Reed (Anaheim 3)

David Millsaps (San Diego)

David Millsaps (Houston)

Progressive Holeshot Award (AMA Supercross Lites Class)

Matt Lemoine (Anaheim 1)

Jake Weimer (Phoenix)

Austin Stroupe (Anaheim 2)

Thomas Hahn (San Francisco)

Austin Stroupe (Anaheim 3)

Jason Lawrence (San Diego)

Ryan Dungey (Houston)
MMI Top Tech Award

Oscar Wirdeman (Anaheim 1)

Jeremy Hoyer (Phoenix)

Vincent Bereni (Anaheim 2)

Brian Calmu (San Francisco)

Dana Wiggins (Anaheim 3)

John Boyd (San Diego)

Pro Circuit (Houston)
USSTC Pro Privateer Challange

1.  Paul Carpenter          54 points

2.  Charles Summey       53 points

3.  Heath Voss               36 points

Asterisk Medic Card

Ryan Grantom (Anaheim 1)

Michael Willard (Phoenix)

Chris Blose (Anaheim 2)

Ryan Beat (San Francisco)

Jeff Northrop (Anaheim 3)

Kyle Cunningham (San Diego)

Ryan Grantom (Houston)

Racer X Gas Card

Cole Siebler (Anaheim 1)

Ryan Abrigo (Phoenix)

Troy Adams (Anaheim 2)

Greg Crater (San Francisco)

Kyle Mace (Anaheim 3)

Ryan Clark (San Diego)

Eric Sorby (Houston)

Villopoto’s Opening Race in the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Championship

Record Crowd Expected at Georgia Dome for Monster Energy® Supercross
$10 Off Coupons Available to Watch Villopoto’s Opening Race in the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Championship

AURORA (February 19, 2007) – Torco Fuels Honda’s Kevin Windham, of Centerville, Miss., won his first Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race at Reliant Stadium since 2005 last weekend at Houston’s Reliant Stadium and aims to carry the momentum into this weekend’s race at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome this Saturday. Last year a record-breaking 70,649 fans packed into the Georgia Dome to watch Monster Energy® Supercross.

This weekend’s AMA Supercross class race will air on CBS Sports this Sunday, February 24 at Noon (EST). The AMA Supercross Lites class race will air on SPEED Saturday, March 1 at 6:00 p.m.

Fans can save $10 off the $45 or $35 tickets at Ticketmaster.com and by using the pass code “Monster SX”. Race Trac convenience stores are also offering a $5-off coupon that will be doubled to $10 off select tickets when redeemed at Ticketmaster Outlets or the Georgia Dome Box Office (expires 2/22). Participating Subway locations are giving away a free pit pass with the purchase of a 32oz drink.

Media day will be held this Thursday from Noon-2:00 p.m. inside the press room at the Georgia Dome. Monster Energy® Kawasaki, Pro Circuit Kawasaki and the Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross team are the featured teams that will be available to the media.

This weekend the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites championship begins. Reigning Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites champion, Ryan Villopoto, will race on the East Region this year. Last year he won all but the one race en route to the first AMA Supercross Lites championship of his career. Also expected to run up front are Torco Fuels Honda’s Josh Grant, of Riverside, Calif., and Tray Cannard, of Elk City, Okla., Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Branden Jesseman, of New Brighton, Pa., Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Nico Izzi, of St. Clair, Mich., and Yamaha of Troy’s Ryan Morais, of Temecula, Calif.

Red Bull Honda’s Davi Millsaps, of Cairo, Ga., was the race’s early leader last weekend, but crashed, giving the lead to Windham. Points leader Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., suffered from a bad start, but the Team San Manuel rider salvaged some points by working his way into second place on lap 11.

“I have been working hard this year, and tonight it paid off,” said Windham. “I could not have won in front of a better crowd. I put my head down tonight and used the crowd to my advantage. The crowd was on their feet for the entire race.”

“This is a tough pill to swallow,” said Reed. “I gave it everything I had tonight, but Kevin (Windham) rode a great race. We have had a good season, and we will have to put it together in Atlanta next weekend.”

Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Austin Stroupe, of Corona, Calif., won the first Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites race of his career last weekend in Houston

On lap five Stroupe, who is a rookie this season, moved past points leader Jason Lawrence for the lead and held on for the next 10 laps. The Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites championship heads into a break until April 26 at Seattle’s Qwest Field.

“I finally had a decent start, and that helped me in the beginning of the race,” said Stroupe. “I put myself in position to stay up front and that’s what I did.”

Two of the sport’s biggest names, James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., and Ricky Carmichael, of Tallahasse, Fla., engaged in classic race last year. Carmichael, who competed on a select schedule in 2007 to begin a career in stock-car racing, chased Stewart during the 20-lap feature. On the way to his first AMA Supercross championship, Stewart held off Carmichael for his sixth win of the season. Once the two passed early leader Chad Reed, of Dade City, Fla., they distanced themselves from the pack and Carmichael gave Georgia race fans one last dance.

“James rode well tonight,” said Carmichael from the podium after the race. “In the early part of the race, Chad (Reed) was in front of me as well as James, so I knew I had to make my move early. Once Chad went down, I tried to reel James in, but he was going so fast in the rhythm section tonight. I’d like thank all the fans who have supported me here through the years.”

“Ricky kept me honest tonight,” said Stewart following the race last year. “It was a great race, but I was getting caught up with some of the lappers. Every time I went through the rhythm section I was scared. We had a great crowd on hand tonight.”

Last year Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plain, Minn., competed on the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Series and won the main event. It was the first supercross race of Dungey’s career.

The first AMA Supercross race ever held in Atlanta was March 5, 1977, and Bob Hannah won on a Yamaha. On February 22, 1986 Honda rider Keith Turpin won the first-ever AMA Supercross Lites main event.

Tickets are available at www.supercrossonline.com, participating Yamaha dealerships, the Georgia Dome Box Office or charge by phone at 404-249-6400. Gold Level Seats are $45; Mid Level Seats are $35; Treadhead Seats are $10. All tickets are $2 more on the day of the race.

AMA Supercross Class Results, Houston

1. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
3. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki
4. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Calif., Yamaha
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
6. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
7. Charles Summey, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha
8. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda
9. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM
10. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings

1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 169
2. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 137
3. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 119
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 101
5. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 98
6. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 85
7. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 82
8. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 77
9. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 69
10. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 60

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Houston

1. Austin Stroupe, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki
2. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
5. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
6. Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
7. Robert Kiniry, LaFayette, N.Y., Honda
8. Wil Hanh, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha
9. Michael LaPaglia, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
10. Thomas Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 135
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 129
3. Austin Stroupe, Corona, Calif., Kawasaki, 113
4. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 112
5. Tommy Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki, 101
6. Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 95
7. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 85
8. Robert Kiniry, LaFayette, N.Y., Kawasaki, 71
9. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha, 69
10. Billy Laninovich, Lake Elsinore, Calif., KTM 62

Past Winners in Atlanta

AMA Supercross Class
February 24, 2007:                     James Stewart
February 25, 2006:                     Ricky Carmichael          
February 26, 2005:                     Ricky Carmichael
February 28, 2004:                     Chad Reed
February 22, 2003:                     Ricky Carmichael
February 23, 2002:                     Ricky Carmichael
February 24, 2001:                     Ricky Carmichael
February 26, 2000:                     Jeremy McGrath
February 20, 1999:                     Jeremy McGrath
February 21, 1998:                     Jeremy McGrath
February 22, 1997:                     Damon Huffman
February 24, 1996:                     Jeremy McGrath
February 25, 1995:                     Mike LaRocco
February 26, 1994:                     Jeremy McGrath
February 20, 1993:                     Damon Bradshaw
February 22, 1992:                     Damon Bradshaw
February 23, 1991:                     Damon Bradshaw
February 24, 1990:                     Jeff Ward
February 25, 1989:                     Jeff Stanton
February 22, 1986:                     Rick Johnson
February 23, 1985:                     Mark Barnett
February 25, 1984:                     Johnny O’ Mara
March 05, 1983:             Mark Barnett
February 27, 1982:                     Bob Hannah
February 28, 1981:                     Mark Barnett
March 01, 1980:             Chuck Sun
March 03, 1979:             Bob Hannah
March 04, 1978:             Marty Tripes
March 05, 1977:             Bob Hannah

AMA Supercross Lites Class
February 24, 2007:                     Ryan Dungey
February 25, 2006:                     Josh Grant
February 26, 2005:                     Grant Langston
February 28, 2004:                     James Stewart
February 22, 2003:                     Brock Sellards
February 23, 2002:                     Chad Reed
February 24, 2001:                     Nathan Ramsey
February 26, 2000:                     Stephane Roncada
February 20, 1999:                     Ernesto Fonseca
February 21, 1998:                     Ricky Carmichael
February 22, 1997:                     Ricky Carmichael
February 24, 1996:                     John Dowd
February 25, 1995:                     Mickael Pichon
February 26, 1994:                     Ezra Lusk
February 20, 1993:                     Doug Henry
February 22, 1992:                     Brian Swink
February 23, 1991:                     Brian Swink
February 24, 1990:                     Denny Stephenson
February 25, 1989:                     Damon Bradshaw
February 22, 1986:                     Keith Turpin

For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross an FIM World Championship please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dennyhartwig@livenation.com or 630-566-6305.

Paul Thacker Sets The World Snowmobile Distance Jumping Mark @ 271 Feet In Minnesota!

*MONSTER ENERGY’S NIGHT OF RECORDS*

Paul Thacker Sets The World Snowmobile Distance Jumping Mark @ 271 Feet In Minnesota!

Thacker’s world record effort comes on the heels of Delene Dippel’s world record women’s jump moments before on the Monster Energy/Slednecks Invasion Tour

CORONA, Calif., (Feb. 18, 2008) – Monster Energy-backed Paul Thacker flew his 430-pound Bikeman Performance-powered Polaris IQ snowmobile into the record books on Saturday, uncorking a world record 271-foot flight despite some vicious winds and a couple gnarly get-offs in the process.

The second stop on the 2007-’08 Monster Energy Slednecks Invasion tour at Shakopee, Minn.’s Canterbury Park Raceway was also highlighted by the first-ever woman’s snowmobile jump into the record book when Californian Delene Dippel warmed up the sizable crowd for Thacker with a near 200-foot jump of her own (180.6 feet).

“The winds were crazy. The crowd went crazy and Monster Energy was again thrilled to be part of Slednecks’ historic evening of snowmobile showmanship – the likes of which have never been seen before,” said Monster Energy’s Terri Sacks. “It was for sure touch-and-go with Paul there a bit, but we’re extremely pleased he was able to make it through and complete his record-setting jump.

“Delene as well. She’s done what no other woman has done before and we’re very proud of her.”

Thacker’s jump of 271 feet broke the existing snowmobile distance jumping record by some eight feet (263 feet set in Colorado of March, ‘07). But it didn’t come without great difficulty as the weather would create a struggle for Thacker, who not only crashed numerous times warming up for the record, but was unable at the time to attempt to make a run at eclipsing the magical 300-foot barrier.

“After Delene did her record we move the ramp back 50 feet and it was my turn,” explained Thacker. “We jumped 220 or so twice, then moved it back another 25 feet. And that’s when the craziness started.”

With head winds gusting upwards of 30 miles per hour, Thacker was forced to fly his sled like a kite as the machine, according to Thacker, tends to want to float up and down. “On that third jump the sled basically just floated beyond my ability to correct and we stacked it up at 230 feet,” he said. “But someone above was watchin’ out for me and I ended up walking away.”

Forced to go to his back up sled, Thacker then jumped again – but this time it was a nasty cross wind that caught him, crossed him up beyond the point of no return and pummeled him back to earth some 240 feet from where he took off.

“Our only option was to go again,” he said.

That said, Thacker and the Slednecks crew moved the take-off ramp back again – a true 232 foot gap between take-off and landing – waited a bit for the winds to die down and got after it again.

“We hit the ramp twice at 79 mph and jumped 255 feet,” he said. “Then it was time to risk it all and get that record – which I did. Hit the ramp at 82 (mph) and flew 271.”

For Dippel it wasn’t a question of breaking the record more as it was how much farther she’d go after creating the record on Friday at a made-for-press event at Canterbury.

“It was amazing to go out and crush the record I just did on Friday,” she said. “Great having Monster there with me.”

Added Monster Energy athlete Tucker Hibbert (‘08 X Games Sno-X gold medalist): “I’m pumped that I could be at Canterbury to support fellow Monster Energy athlete’s, Paul and Delene Saturday night. I watched Paul’s jump on TV last year but it doesn’t even compare to watching it in person. I was definitely impressed by Paul and Delene and congratulations to both of them on breaking records.”

For more information on Thacker’s record attempt, link to www.slednecks.com or www.monsterenergy.com

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