Yamaha MX team unites with Monster Energy

From Yamaha Racing

The Yamaha Monster Motocross Team will be hoping to strike extra fear into its 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 its attempt on the MX1-GP title.

Monster Energy, a product of California-based subsidiary Monster Beverage Co. part of the Hansen Beverage Company, has also lent its backing to the AMA Supercross series and has now extended its 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 6.