Vital MX Press Releases

Monster Beverage Company Sued for Fraud and Intentional Interference

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:58:58 -0800

CARLSBAD, CA, Nov. 5 – Crown Athlete Management Company, Inc. (“Crown AMG”), an athlete management, marketing, and sponsorship procurement company, has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Hansen Beverage Company (“HBC”), doing business as Monster Beverage Company (“Monster”) for fraud, intentional interference with contractual relations, and related claims. The lawsuit, filed in San Diego County, alleges that Monster fraudulently induced Crown AMG to enter into agreements, fraudulently concealed its true intentions to exclude Crown AMG from earning fees and commissions, and made numerous false promises to Crown AMG about potential future business opportunities.

In 2003, Scott “Hollywood” Sepkovic founded Crown AMG as a comprehensive marketing, branding, and athlete management firm. According to the lawsuit, that same year, Crown AMG was recruited by Mark Hall, President of Monster, to help market and build brand recognition for the “new” Monster Energy Drink. The Monster Energy Drink had only been launched the prior year, and had yet to establish significant brand recognition.

Over the next 6 years, Crown AMG was instrumental in building brand recognition for Monster worldwide. HBC’s sales skyrocketed from $115 million in 2002 to $1.18 billion in 2008. Crown AMG believes that its efforts helped HBC land the #1 position on the “Forbes 200 Best Small Companies” List in 2005 and 2007. Further, in July of 2006, Fortune Magazine stated that, "Since the beginning of 2004, Hansen Natural's stock [had] risen a Google-stomping 3,900% to $170."

In the lawsuit, Crown AMG alleges that Monster unlawfully interfered with Crown AMG’s business by, among other things, filing lawsuits against Crown AMG clients, instructing Crown AMG’s clients not to pay Crown AMG, and making false representations to Crown AMG and its clients.

Langston Motorsports Announces Opening of New Store

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:23:27 -0800

Lake Elsinore, CA (November 6, 2009) - Langston Racing of Lake Elsinore and West Coast Motorsports of Perris (CA) have merged to form Langston Motorsports. The two companies have moved into a larger brand new building on the I-215 Freeway in the city of Perris between the Ethenac and Hemet off ramps.

"We are open for business and have completely moved out of our Lake Elsinore building and a majority of the West Coast Motorsports merchandise has been moved over as well. Our signage is not up yet and our banner outside says, ‘Coming soon’ but we are open,” said Grant Langston VP of Marketing.

Langston Motorsports carries new and used Yamaha, Suzuki, Polaris, Can Am, Sea Doo and Kawasaki street and off road motorcycles, ATV's, utility vehicles and personal watercraft as well as having a large range of aftermarket products and genuine parts.

"Something we are really proud of is our state-of-the-art Service Department and in-ground Dyno set-up which will be available for hire to the public.

You may reach us at:

Langston Motorsports
1622 Illinois Ave
Perris, CA 92570
Telephone: 951-471-8205
www.langstonmotorsports.com
Hours of Operation; Mon - Fri 9 am to 7 pm
Sat - 9 am to 6pm
Sun - 9am to 5 pm

AMA Arenacross Series Notebook: Des Moines

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:21:32 -0800

AURORA, Ill. (November 6, 2009) – As the lineup of teams and riders for the 2010 AMA Arenacross Series begins to take shape, the series makes its annual visit to one of the most recognizable and loved venues in the history of the sport. For the 12th year, Des Moines, Iowa will host an AMA Arenacross Series race.

The Des Moines round is a stand-alone, non-points paying race with pride and $11,000 in prize money on the line. Several of the AMA Arenacross Series’ most well-known riders will be on hand, taking their shot at some early-season success and getting some competitive racing under their belt before the gates drop on the 2010 season in Grand Rapids, Mich., January 8-10.

Last season, Des Moines proved to be a breakthrough event for Ohio’s Michael Willard who entered the race as a privateer and proceeded to win three of the four main events of the weekend, posting a runner-up finish in the fourth behind two-time AMA Arenacross Series champion Josh Demuth. As a result, Willard earned a factory-supported ride for the 2009 season, solidifying his uncertain plans for the year.

This season, the on-track action is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever, with four past AMA Arenacross Series champions, a trio of series winners and a former Monster Energy® Supercross contender looking to capture the win on Saturday night.

Perhaps the biggest name and one of the latest additions to the prequel race is defending AMA Arenacross Series champion Jeff Gibson. The Tuf Honda rider dominated en route to his first AMA title last season and will look to get some time on the bike before defending his crown in just a couple of months.

After choosing to take some additional time off last season by skipping the Des Moines race, two-time champion Chad Johnson and Iowa native Teddy Maier return this weekend and should be at the front of the pack when the gates drop Saturday night.

For Johnson, the 2008 AMA Arenacross Series champion, 2009 was a disappointing year by his standards. The two-time champion won just one race last season for Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki and battled with consistency. He finished fourth in the final standings but has the hunger to return to the top in 2010.

“I definitely wasn’t happy with the way last season turned out,” he said. “We had some bike problems early in the season as well as at the end that hurt us in the championship. Now that we’re moving to the big bikes I’m really excited. I enjoy riding the 450 and I think it will add a lot to the racing.”

Maier is coming off arguably the most successful season of his career. The Iowa native sat out the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series and was missed by both his competitors and the fans. However, he placed a more concentrated effort on his motocross training in preparation for the 2009 summer season and as a result was able to capture the CMRC Canadian Motocross Nationals championship in the MX2 class. With high confidence, Maier is eager to return to the intimate atmosphere of the AMA Arenacross Series with TiLUBE Motorsports and give the world’s best a run for their money.

Also adding to the talented field is Demuth, who joins Johnson on the Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki team and looks to defend his night one win from 2008. Joining him is perennial AMA Arenacross Series front-runner Kelly Smith who sat out for the majority of the 2009 season after broken leg cut his run at the title short. He enters the new season with a new team at Junior Jackson KTM and a rejuvenated spirit.

Triple Effect Kawasaki’s Gray Davenport boasted a career year last season, capturing his first career victory and a sixth-place finish in the standings. He enters Des Moines looking to catch a wave of momentum heading into 2010.

After a short hiatus from the AMA Arenacross Series, Robbie Reynard and Tom Hofmaster make their anticipated returns to the intimate confines and will no doubt be players as the laps wind down on Saturday evening’s main event.

“Since the series moved to using 450’s it made me want to come back,” exclaimed Reynard. “I feel much more comfortable on the 450 and Des Moines gives me a chance to get out there and race. I really like to race so hopefully something works out from now until the season starts and I’ll try to return to the series full time.”

“I’ve actually taken a real job since leaving arenacross,” explained Hofmaster. “I work for EVS now so Des Moines just presents a chance for me to just go out there and have fun. I’m lucky to still have some great sponsors helping me out so I have don’t have any real high expectations this weekend other than (enjoying myself).”

As a whole, the entry list for Saturday night’s 2010 sneak preview is one of the most impressive AMA Arenacross Series lineups in history.

The Wells Fargo Arena is located in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa as part of the Iowa Events Center. Built in 2005, it can hold up to 16,980 fans with various seating charts depending on the event. In the past, the arena has served as the home to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, Iowa Chops of the American Hockey League, and Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League.

2009 Des Moines Prequel Race Rider List

# Rider Team
1 Jeff Gibson Tuf
2 Brock Sellards
3 Josh Demuth Babbits
4 Chad Johnson Babbits
5 Nathan Skaggs Spinechillers
6 Gray Davenport Triple Effect
10/1E Willy Browning Spinechillers
11 Zach Ames Spinechillers
12 Jim Neese Carolina Express
14 Teddy Maier Ti Lube Motorsports
16 Cory Green Reynard Mods
17 Robbie Reynard Reynard Mods
21 Dave Ginolfi Mandingo Pickles
27 Ryan Poulter Funmart Cycle Center
33 Kelly Smith Funmart Cycle Center
36 Brian Foster Storm Lake
115 Kevin Johnson
144 Alex Martin Ti Lube Motorsports
273 Gavin Gracyk Funmart Cycle Center
316 Derrick Brister
33 Zach Osborne U Tag
617 Gavin Faith Ti Lube Motorsports
774 Devin Reed Ti Lube Motorsports
821 Ricky Draper Storm Lake
838 George Cyrus
890/1C Kurt McCabe Storm Lake
911 Tyler Bowers Babbits

Tickets are available at the Wells Fargo Arena Box Office, all Dahl's Foods locations, online at www.dahlstickets.com, or charge by phone at (866) 55-DAHLS. (All seats $2 more on day of show. All tickets subject to $1 Facility Fee. Child discount applies to children ages 2-12. ) Show times are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Doors open on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday. Front Row tickets for Saturday night cost $40 and Gold Circle seats are just $25. 100 to 300 level seats range from $18 - $20. Sunday tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for kids. All seats $2 more day of show. Note: Kids = children ages 2-12.

$5 discount tickets are available at Hicklin Powersports from 10/19/09 through 11/7/09 while supplies last.

Fans in attendance also can take part in the Track Party on Saturday from 5-6 p.m. for the chance to meet the riders and get autographs. Simply recycle any MONSTER ENERGY can at the gate entrance for FREE admission. Must have valid Saturday event ticket to enter.

For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.

Sound Off MC Contest for KTM Q4 Series Slip On

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:14:21 -0800

FMF’s website www.soundoffmc.com is dedicated to sound awareness. At the end of November the impartial panel of FMF judges will award one lucky KTM Talk www.ktmtalk.com member the Q4 Series Slip On of their choice. Per FMF’s Donnie Emler Jr “KTM Talk just celebrated their one hundred thousandth member and we wanted to do something in recognition of this landmark event. The contest is open to all KTM Talk members who join the forum on Sound Off MC and the prize will be awarded to the member who makes what we judge to be the best post on a sound related subject.”

The winner will be announced on December 1st and stay tuned for details for December’s contest.

Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki Features Ultra-Talented Trio in Quest for 2010 AMA Arenacross Series Title

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:13:15 -0800

Pair of Past Champions and Multiple Race Winner Set to Dethrone Tuf Honda

AURORA, Ill. (November 5, 2009) – With the silly season in full effect within the AMA Arenacross Series, Michigan-based Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki became one of the first teams to solidify its lineup for the 2010 season, just a few short days before the Des Moines prequel race this Saturday night.

Returning to Babbitt’s after a promising first season is two-time AMA Arenacross Series champion Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis. The 2006 and 2008 title-holder finished fourth overall in 2009, posting one victory in what was a disappointing season by his standards.

“Chad is doing a little bit different type of training this year,” said Babbitt’s Monster Energy Team Manager Denny Bartz. “I don’t think he will ride as much has he has in the past. He is going to pull that back a little bit in an effort to come out fresh at the beginning of the year and get some wins.”

Joining Johnson is Arenacross legend and two-time champion in his own right Josh Demuth, of North Richland Hills, Texas. After competing for the Babbitt’s team back in 2006, he returns fresh off a full-time comeback to the series last season in which he captured two victories en route to finishing third in the championship.

“I think if Josh comes prepared to win races, then that is what he’s going to do,” added Bartz. “He’s definitely capable and has the Arenacross experience so I believe he’ll be one of the guys to beat for sure.”

Bartz believes his lineup is talented enough to run up front and with the trio competing in the new 450cc displacement AMA Arenacross class, the experience each rider possesses should help in the adjustment.

“With Josh and Chad, between the two of them, Josh has a total of three Arenacross championships while Chad has two AMA (Arenacross) championships,” he stated. “That gives us a really mature team for this year and by bringing Tyler Bowers in, the young guy, hopefully some of that speed will be put down and we can capture a championship between the three of them.”

The newest face to the Babbitt’s team is a familiar one to the AMA Arenacross Series in former race winner Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky. Competing primarily in the Monster Energy Supercross championship over the past two seasons, Bowers continues to develop as a professional rider and at just 18 years of age has the talent to be a star in the sport.

“Tyler is an aggressive rider and I know that he goes to the line every time to try and win races. He puts the work in and has what it takes to run up front in Arenacross and that’s what we’re looking for. There are a lot of guys in the AMA Arenacross Series that don’t have the ability to come through the field if necessary. If they get a bad start they tend to stay there. I feel like all three of the guys we have can work their way through the pack if the situation presents itself.”

The action for the second annual Des Moines prequel race kicks-off this Saturday night from Wells Fargo Arena.

$5 discount tickets are available at Hicklin Powersports from 10/19/09 through 11/7/09 while supplies last.

For more information on the AMA Arenacross Series log on to www.arenacross.com.

MX Sports Presents Certificates of Achievement and Merit to All 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Qualifiers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:11:11 -0800

MORGANTOWN, W.V. - As part of the continued evolution of American Motocross, MX Sports Pro Racing is introducing a series of very special acknowledgements that will be awarded to each and every AMA Motocross racer that qualified for one of the 12 rounds of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Certificates of Achievement and Merit are personalized to each rider who made it into the final motos, be it in the 450, 250 or Women's class. The awards are intended to congratulate the athletes possessing the talent, desire, and obvious work ethic that is required to make the cut at a national event, in what is the world's most prestigious motocross series.

"While we usually only see the top three finishers on the podium after any given race, anyone who even qualifies for an AMA Motocross race has accomplish something admirable that is deserving of this recognition," said MX Sports' Vice President Davey Coombs. "It takes an unbelievable amount of hard work and dedication and, in some cases, good luck to qualify for one of these races. These awards are our way of showing these very capable riders that we recognize their accomplishment, and that we wish to extend our personal congratulations in a format that can be displayed for years to come."

Motocross competitors are some of the best athletes in the world and the task of competing in a world-class professional event is something a small number of the population has the privilege to experience. In all, 260 different riders across the 450 and 250 and Women's classes qualified to participate in the final two motos of a 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship event.

For fan and racing information on the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, log onto www.allisports.com.

Honda Red Bull Racing's Ashley Fiolek to Appear on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:31:46 -0800

November 4, 2009 (Los Angeles, CA) – Ashley Fiolek, the 2009 X Games Women’s Moto-X Gold Medalist and two-time AMA Women’s Motocross Champion is the featured guest on Thursday night’s edition of Last Call with Carson Daly on NBC. The show will air on NBC stations at 1:36 AM Eastern and Pacific and at 12:36 AM Mountain and Central time the night of November 5th (early morning on the 6th).

The show was taped on the back lot of NBC Studios in Burbank, CA in September when Ashley was in Los Angeles to be honored at City Hall by the L.A. City Council for her achievements and inspiration to the deaf community. The following day Ashley attended L.A.’s DEAFestival along with sponsors American Honda and T-Mobile.

For more information on Thursday night’s broadcast of NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly, see: www.nbc.com/Last_Call_with_Carson_Daly/

About Ashley Fiolek
Born profoundly deaf, Ashley began riding and racing motorcycles at age seven and worked her way up the amateur motocross ranks. In 2004, at the age of 13, she won her first national title at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s. Between 2005 and 2007 she went on to win 12 more national championships and more than 100 races.
2008 marked Ashley’s first full season as a professional, and she competed in select world championship rounds in Europe and won the AMA/WMA Women’s Professional Motocross Championship. 2009 has seen Fiolek win the X-Games Women’s Moto-X Gold Medal and the AMA Women’s Motocross Championship. Ashley is proudly supported by: American Honda, Red Bull, T-Mobile Sidekick, Alpinestars, Leatt Brace, Vans, Rockwell Watches, Moto Endurance, Airoh and Smith. For more information about Ashley, see: www.ashleyfiolek.com.

Sunstar Forms Race Support Partnership with DNA Shred Stix / Star Racing / Yamaha for 2010

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:29:37 -0800

Sunstar is proud to announce the partnership recently developed with the DNA Shred Stix / Star Racing / Yamaha program for 2010 and possibly beyond. This Yamaha Lites program will consist of 4 250f riders including Nico Izzi, Martin Davalos, Max Anstie and a member of their 2009 team Broc Tickle. It is yet to be determined which coast each rider will ride on for 2010 but 2 will be on the east and 2 on the west with all 4 racers competing in the MX Outdoor Lites series in the summer of 2010. Former racer and current team coordinator Donovan Mitchell is very excited for the upcoming season and had this to say, “this is the best combination of riders that the Star Yamaha program has had to date and we look forward to a great 2010 season with guys competing for championships while having one of the most well known, recognizable sponsors in the industry with Sunstar sprockets.”

For more information on Sunstar, please visit www.sunstar-mc.com

LeoVince USA & Tucker Rocky Distributing Announce New Strategic Alliance

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:50:24 -0800

Richmond, CA - LeoVince USA announces that Tucker Rocky Distributing will now be its selected aftermarket distributor and that LeoVince USA will expand its dealer direct sales operations. Until recently, LeoVince had utilized three large aftermarket distributors.

“Tucker Rocky has shown that they are willing to embrace unique business models such as working with a manufacturer that is also a distributor and make it successful for both parties,” states Tim Calhoun E.V.P. of LeoVince USA. The combination of T/R’s highly motivated sales force and their ability to stock fast-moving products in depth and ship quickly is a big benefit to dealers. Dealers will also benefit knowing they can call LeoVince direct and we’ll have in stock a very broad product line of hard-to-find models, high-end racing systems and everything in-between. I believe there are great synergies between our companies and we are very excited to reintroduce our dealer sales model and offer our industry leading customer service.”

Tim continues, “I would like to thank both Western Power Sports and Parts Unlimited for their representation of the LeoVince and Sito brand family of products. I would like to especially thank the inside and outside sales representatives of these organizations for their time and dedication to our brand. For the last 56 years Sito Gruppo Industriale, LeoVince’s parent company, has primarily self distributed our products worldwide. This change in US distribution is primarily being made to bring our operations into alignment with our global strategy. We will be announcing many exciting things in the coming weeks and are well positioned to continue our market share and sales growth for 2010.”

Ross Maeda Benefit Ride

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:30:17 -0800

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