Press Release

Ferry Back on the Box in Anaheim

Irvine, Calif. (February 4, 2008) – Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Timmy Ferry returned to the podium at the third and final event at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. The veteran rider has been showing speed all year and this weekend he avoided trouble to finish third. The podium finish keeps Ferry third in the season standings. Ferry’s new teammate Travis Preston finished 15th. In the AMA Supercross Lites class, it was a double podium for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team as Austin Stroupe grabbed the holeshot and finished second with Brett Metcalfe finishing third.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

Ferry rode to his second podium of the season after coming out of the gate in fourth. On the technical track which suited the veteran’s style, he got into a good rhythm and set consistent lap times throughout the main event.

“It’s great to be back on the podium,” said Ferry. “I had a solid start considering I had the 15th or 16th gate pick. I’ve got those crashes behind me and every time I haven’t crashed I’ve been on the podium so I know my speeds there. It feels so good to just go out and practice, jump the jumps and race the track. That is something we really haven’t had this year. Even Phoenix was really hard, slippery and tight. This felt like a real supercross track and I felt at home. Actually riding and pushing. Not being able to make a rhythm section, then getting it the next time and making up a lot of time felt good.”

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With the first turn being made of sand, Ferry knew it was a place where he could make up ground, but also a place where you could lose time.

“I’m from Florida and I like sand so the first turn was nice to see,” said Ferry. “The sand has always treated me well. I liked it and in practice it was really good and they had to smooth it out for the starts, otherwise the berm would have been awesome and we could have really railed it.”

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With just a little time between Preston signing with the team and racing, he showed his potential, making the main event through his heat race.

“It was a good night for me,” said Preston. “My first race and not having much time on the bike, I started well in the heat but faded back to ninth. Each race I got better and better, I’m learning the bike so I’m looking forward to going to San Diego.”

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Friday at Angel Stadium was Preston’s first day of school as he met his Monster Energy Team as well as the media.

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Preston came into the event with only two days of hard riding on the factory bike and he was worried how he would hold up in the 20-lap main event.

“Race pace and practice pace are completely different,” said Preston. “It was fun to be battling with the guys out there. I was dicing with guys in the beginning but halfway through I was just wore down so I changed my riding style and doing some things different and I think that helped. I’m going to be pretty sore tomorrow, I’m going to go for a bicycle ride in the morning and then I’m going to sit on the couch the rest of the day.”

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Stroupe returned to the podium at Anaheim after finishing fifth one week ago. The 17-year-old nailed the holeshot in both his heat and the main event and avoided mistakes for a runner-up finish.

“I got an awesome start and I just rode as hard as I could and as fast as I could,” said Stroupe. “I’m not in the best shape right now but every weekend I’m getting better. Right before I went out for the race Mitch (Payton, team owner) told me to believe in myself. I did that and gave it all I had but it just wasn’t enough to get a win tonight.”

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Metcalfe also rode a smart race coming off the starting line fifth. The Australian rider picked his way up to third, keeping pace with Stroupe to earn his second consecutive podium finish. With his third podium of the season, Metcalfe sits fourth in the points standings.

“I had just an average start, but I was able to work my way up a couple of spots to finish third,” said Metcalfe. “The track was technical and kind of tough. It was more like an outdoor track with all the ruts in the sand section so I really enjoyed it. It took me a couple of laps to make up some spots because there were just a few places to make a pass. I’m happy with my finish because it is good for the championship.”

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With a NASCAR test at California Speedway earlier in the week, some of the drivers came out to Angel Stadium to hang out with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team. Carl Edwards and Juan Pablo Montoya both spent time in the pits and for Edwards, he was able to trade training stories with Ferry because both athletes have the same trainer. While he was in the team’s transporter, Edward’s checked all of the office supplies to make sure they were from his sponsor Office Depot. Before Edwards left for an appearance at the Super Bowl he talked about how impressed he was by supercross.

“I’ve ridden dirt bikes enough to know these guys are spectacular,” said Edwards

Along with the NASCAR stars, the team welcomed guests from NBC’s Deal or No Deal along with Hollywood stars Corbin Bleu from High School Musical and a starlet from the motion picture Saw II.

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Preston wasn’t the only new face under the tent as Monster Energy Kawasaki off-road rider Damon Huffman and his number 10 Kawasaki KX™450F thrilled the crowd by taking a few laps during the opening ceremonies.

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Before the race Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Bones Bacon received special recognition from sponsor Mechanix Wear. Bacon received only the fourth Motocross Mechanic Lifetime Achievement Award from Mechanix Wear honoring his career in the industry.

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