Monster Energy Kawasaki's
2008 ATV Racing Team Announced
Irvine, CA (1/18/2008) - The Monster
Energy Kawasaki ATV Racing Team is expanding for
2008 season after completing its first year aboard
the Kawasaki KFX®450R, racing in more series
with more riders who are determined to prove that
the KFX450R is the quad to beat.
Fielding a three-man team in the World PowerSports
Association (WPSA) ATV Tour, Kawasaki returning
rider Josh Creamer will lead the charge. Creamer
has been a substantial part of the development
of the KFX450R and his hunger to be at the front
of the pack has driven the team to improve the
new quad. At the first-ever AMA Pro ATV Open Invitational
last year, Creamer took home a fourth-place finish
against top-riders from around the country.
Veteran ATV racer Keith Little will be riding
along side Creamer aboard the KFX450R. Racing
for the first time in the WPSA series in 2007,
Little turned out a notable fifth overall in the
series standings. Completing the team in the WPSA
series will be Russell Shumaker. Coming off an
eighth overall in the WPSA series, Shumaker will
round out Monster Energy Kawasaki’s triple-threat
in the SuperQuad Pro 450 class.
As a part of the expansion in the WPSA series,
Kawasaki has brought in a satellite team with
the help of Hetrick Gabriel Racing. The team will
field Trent Kendal in the SuperQuad Pro 450 class,
Mark Kendall in the SuperQuad ProAm class, and
two additional riders in the A class.
The Kawasaki KFX450R saw its first championship
in the 2007 World Off Road Championship Series
(WORCS) ProAm class with the help of Dats Racing
Team’s Bronson Bundy. Teammate Dax Snow
earned an inspiring third-place overall in the
series. In 2008, Bundy and Snow return to the
ProAm class, while the Dats Racing Team will enter
the Pro class with team newcomer Robbie Mitchell.
Another part of the increase of the presence
at other large series, Kawasaki will have Joe
Haavisto compete in the New England ATV series
(NEATV). Kawasaki offers a large contingency in
the series, which sees over 500 entries a race.
“Looking at where we were last year, I
wanted to improve not only on our program but
our presence at the races we attend and the big
races that are out there,” said Team Green™
Manager Reid Nordin. “The addition of a
pro class rider for the WORCS series is big for
us. We wanted to contend in that series and to
have the Dats Racing Team there has really been
great for Kawasaki. Last year, our factory team
had a pretty good start and with the addition
of Keith and Russell, I really think we have the
full package of experience and young enthusiasm.
This season has the potential to be very successful.”
The WPSA ATV Tour is in its third year and features
eight events primarily held on the East Coast
from May through August. The WORCS ATV Series
will also host eight races with the events moving
along the West Coast between January and October.
Team Sponsors will include: Kawasaki Motors Corp.,
U.S.A., Monster Energy, Elka Suspension, ITP Tires,
Parts Unlimited, DTW, Maxima Oil, Pro Circuit,
RK/Excel, Roll Design, DG, Renthal, Moose Racing,
N-Style, Shoei Helmets, Smith Optics, VP Racing
Fuel, Pro Design, Streamline, Hinson Racing, Quad
Tech, Axcalibur, Gaerne USA, NGK Spark Plugs,
Inc., Sunline, PWR
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