Big changes at newly named Monster Energy Kawasaki team

There are some big changes going on at the Kawasaki Race Team (KRT), with KRT joining forces with Monster Energy to become the Monster Energy Kawasaki team. They also just announced the addition of Phil Nicoletti to ride along side Billy Mackenzie and Dean Ferris. Plus, the team will now be sporting Fly Racing apparel instead of No Fear.

Have a read of the particulars in their official press release:

It is with great pleasure that Kawasaki announces the joining of Monster Energy to the Australian Kawasaki MX/SX Racing Team to establish Monster Energy Kawasaki in Australia for 2011 and beyond.

Launched in 2002, energy drink company Monster Energy has grown at a phenomenal rate and today sponsors many successful athletes, teams and events all around the world. In the USA, Monster Energy teamed up with the Pro Circuit Kawasaki 250 team in 2005 and the Kawasaki Factory Team (450) in 2007 with Kawasaki and Monster Energy enjoying much success including 14 AMA Championship Titles to date. Kawasaki is confident that the new Monster Energy Kawasaki team in Australia will enjoy similar success.

Three talented riders who will have the honour of being inaugural Monster Energy Kawasaki riders in Australia are Billy Mackenzie (211), Dean Ferris (111) and Phil Nicoletti (22). 26 year old Billy Mackenzie, an established European GP rider, multiple MX of Nations representative (UK team) and 2nd place achiever for Kawasaki at the 2010 Australian MX Championship will be a dedicated KX450F pilot in 2011 while 20 year old Dean Ferris, who represented Australia at the MX of Nations in 2010, (a privateer year for Ferris), will ride the KX450F in the 2011 MX Championship and the KX250F in the Monster Energy SuperX Championship. New York (USA) native, Phil Nicoletti, who finished the 2010 AMA West SX Lites Championship inside the top ten, taking 8th place, will ride the KX250F in the Lites class in both the Australian MX and SX Championships for Monster Energy Kawasaki in 2011.
Kawasaki Australia MD, Ted Mori is very happy about the announcement of the new look team saying, “Kawasaki has long enjoyed a successful relationship with Monster Energy. We hope to continue that success here in Australia. Monster Energy has made a dynamic impact on the energy drink market and their sponsorship and involvement of action sports throughout the world is both prolific and commendable. We’re happy to be associated with such a successful brand as Monster Energy.”

Monster Energy isn’t the only new addition to the team for 2011 with the riders now wearing Fly riding gear, listening to their pre-race music through Skull Candy earphones, being transported around in Holden vehicles and watching their race playbacks on ISG (Integrated Systems Group) supplied and installed televisions and sound systems in the Coleman Group wrapped race truck. Monster Energy Kawasaki is also pleased to have existing major sponsors Castrol, Unit, Sidi, M2R, Pro Circuit and Michelin on board in 2011.

Monster Energy Australasian Manager, Adrian Hunter says, “Monster Energy has a history of building winning race teams with Kawasaki, we’re looking forward to continuing that tradition here in Australia. Monster Energy and Kawasaki worked together with much success to bring Josh Hansen to Australia in 2010. The venture yielded positive results with a Championship win and we look forward to continuing to bring high profile Kawasaki riders to Australia in the future.”
“The recent announcement of the Monster Energy Showtime FMX Kawasaki freestyle team reinforces Monster Energy and Kawasaki’s commitment to growing and developing MX in Australia” continued Hunter.

Going into his 2nd year managing Kawasaki’s factory team, 12 times Australian Champion Troy Carroll will manage Monster Energy Kawasaki in 2011. Carroll says, “We’re all more than happy with the forming of Monster Energy Kawasaki. The new workshop has a great vibe and the mechanics and riders are all gelling really well. The riders’ and team’s preparation for the 2011 race season is right on track and we’ll be ready to perform come Broadford.”

“We’re all looking forward to getting out there and winning races from the get go”.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s inaugural race meet will be the first round of the 2011 Australian Motocross Championship at Broadford, Victoria on 6 March.