The Yamaha Monster Motocross Team will be hoping to strike extra fear into their FIM Motocross World Championship rivals in 2008 thanks to a new alliance with Monster Energy drinks. The factory-backed Grand Prix squad – now entitled ‘Yamaha Monster Motocross Team’ thanks to the title sponsorship - will benefit from a high-profile three year joint programme with one of the new powerful movers in motorcycle racing for their attempt on the MX1-GP title.
Monster Energy, a product of California-based subsidiary Monster Beverage Co. part of the Hansen Beverage Company, have also lent their backing to the AMA Supercross series (an FIM World Championship) and have now extended their reach into the motocross Grand Prix paddock with the team responsible for winning three of the four titles since the MX1 class was born in 2004.
“It's fantastic to have Monster Energy on board with us,” said Yamaha Motor Europe’s Racing Division Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “Our results with the team over a long period have shown that we can offer Monster - as a partner - the top level successful image that they are looking for in Europe. During the discussions it was clear we were speaking to a company dedicated to supporting us in getting the best results and above all passion for off-road sport. Monster is a young and fresh brand, relatively new to Europe. It will be also exciting from a marketing point of view to work with them and raise their awareness on this side of the world.”
The works YZ450FMs of Joshua Coppins and David Philippaerts will run a new design and livery for 2008 that will be unveiled in a special presentation on Friday evening prior to the first Grand Prix in Holland on April 6th.
The team rightfully fill a position of prominence in world championship motocross racing having won the MX1-GP crown three times in succession with the potent YZ machinery from 2004 to 2006. Prior to the inauguration of the MX1-GP class they were also responsible for three 500cc titles in 1999, 2001 and 2002. They dominated races in the short-lived MXGP competition (a forerunner to MX1-GP) in the 2003 season when Stefan Everts also made history by winning three motos on a Yamaha in three different categories on the same day at the Grand Prix of France. In 2006 they helped the Belgian to record ten world championships and 101 career victories before his retirement.
The crew were desperately close to a fourth crown in 2007 until Coppins sustained an untimely injury deep into the second half of the campaign while leading by a mammoth 107 points. With five overall triumphs and nine moto wins the New Zealander was still an outstanding performer of last year’s championship with more trophies than anyone else.
Monster Energy is emerging to become one of the premier energy drink brands on the planet. Popular in the United States, the drink first appeared on the market in 2002 and has expanded both in terms of its distribution, profile and range of flavours and products on offer. They are currently birthing and evolving their network in Europe and the association with Yamaha as one of the most successful motorcycle brands in off-road sport and one of the most prolific teams within the last ten years of motocross, is sure to assist in their blossoming project.
“We view the partnership between Monster Energy, Yamaha and the Rinaldi brothers as a European version of Monster Energy’s relationship with Mitch and Pro Circuit,” said Monster Energy spokesman Scott Sepkovic. “The Rinaldi Yamahas enjoy great racing heritage on the GP circuit, dating back to championships won by Donny Schmit and Bobby Moore. Monster Energy is looking forward to teaming up with this fine racing tradition as we continue to expand the Monster Energy brand globally. Here’s to a strong and healthy season for Josh Coppins and David Philippaerts the best of luck to both racers at their quest for the MX1 class championship. We’re pumped to have Yamaha Motor Europe and their team on board with Monster Energy.”
