Boost Mobile/ Monster Energy Freestylemx.com Worldwide Tour Hits the Road

The end of the summer was rushing down on us like a bull hopped up on Mean Bean but the show went on and made lots of folks’ summer a little better and lot more extreme!

The Boost Mobile Wrecking Crew drove the buses up to Essex Junction, Vermont for a repeat visit.  We came here last year and knew that the crowds were loud and always go crazy for the biggest tricks so we wrangled two current Dew Action Sports Tour competitors to complete the show.  The two Metal Mulisha riders Jeff “Ox” Kargola and Honda of St. Johns’, Beau Bamburg were happy to come along while brushing up on their flip tricks.  We also had the usual suspects like O.G. John Distler, JJ “Skittles” Romans, the “Belly” Kenny Bell, Hammerhead James Carter and the legend and one of the creators of it all, Mad Mike Jones. 

Mad Mike, in his final year of FMX before moving on to other things (like a Monster Truck ride for ’09), gave the crowd a farewell salute and the fans knew they were lucky to meet a legend before he hangs up his moto boots.  Ox and Bamburg were dueling it out in the final with Cordova, Heel Clicker and KOD flips.  Bamburg edged out Ox for the win as judged by the crowd and also pulled off the Boost Mobile Best Whip comp too. 

Our next stop was in Blackfoot, Idaho which again was a repeat stop from last year.  In Idaho they just never get sick of FMX. Derek Cook really came back onto form at this stop and showed that he is serious about a comeback.  In the final it was Ox and Bamburg again with Bam barely taking the win as we had to ask for a reshout from the crowd.  The whip contest was taken by the Ox this time who nearly turned it upside down!

We ended up giving away over 2000 Monster Energy posters during autographs and probably 3000 pounds of Boost Mobile gear at these two shows alone.  Didn’t get yours or wonder where to find the goods?  Check the schedule for a show near you!

Kennewick, WA - another show where weather was a threat all the way through.  Once again the Boost Mobile Wrecking Crew (Tommy, Jesse, Dillon and Larry) got everything set up and ensured the dirt was perfect for FMX.  That is one thing about this tour the riders will ride in just about anything short of a hurricane.  This stop was a rodeo fair, so you would think that dirt bikes would not be welcome, but we usually show up to the largest crowds of the week and everyone can’t resist watching 400 pounds of man and machine fly upside down- while doing tricks. 

Beau Bamburg and Jeff Kargola showed up again which really raised the bar a bit for regulars like Kenny Bell, JJ Romans and John Distler.  Even the new guy James “Captain Creepy” Carter steps up his game when these guys are around.  The contest was awesome with it comin down to a who can do the sickest Backflip variation of all.  Bamburg took the win with a newly developed Cordova Flip which he held almost too long.  He pulled it off and the crowd went nuts!  They were the judges for the evening and they decided that Bamburg would take home the win. 

As soon as the show was done, the wind picked up and the rain started so the Boost Mobile Freestylemx.com Tour made it, keeping our record at 100%.

Washington has some great FMX fans and we can’t wait to head back there again.

Boost Mobile Hot Import Nights- Bumpin’ Through the Summer

The Boost Mobile Freestylemx.com Worldwide tour made a bunch of stops on the Hot Import Nights summer tour again this year.  The riders were jumping to the beats of the DJ’s and flying high over the custom cars and pretty ladies. 

Chicago was one to remember this year.  The storms had soaked the area and turned the place into a bog but luckily we were on a pavement parking lot.  Not really.  Soon after the rain gave us a break we noticed water bubbling up from a crack right in front of the takeoff.  And the winds were picking up as a new storm made its way in to town.  The Windy City- go figure.  The riders were pretty concerned about the conditions but John Distler, Kenny Bell and JJ Romans aren’t gonna let a little water and wind stop them.  They jumped between storms while the Boost Mobile Wrecking Crew kept the water well swept away and dried with a giant torch.  Bell even worked in a one handed lander back flip!

A ton (okay how about 700 pounds) of Boost Mobile gear was given away to the fans and over 750 autographed posters too!  That does not include the Boost Babes under the tent signing all day.  Don’t miss out on the Hot Import Night series, check out www.hotimportnights and www.boostmobile.com for details.

ADAM JONES SECURES AST DEW TOUR CUP CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN FMX AT PLAYSTATION PRO

Jones Seizes 1st Place FMX at Final AST Dew Tour Stop and Captures Overall Win

Carlsbad, CA – October 20, 2008 – Adam Jones secured a double win Sunday, October 19th, at the AST Dew Tour’s final stop in Orlando, Florida, the PlayStation Pro.  He took away the FMX event win and Dew Cup Championship Title at Amway Arena which drew 53,566 adoring fans.

Jones battled through Orlando’s windy conditions and captured the lead during his first run of the FMX Finals performing signature tricks such as the stripper flip, turntable flip and kiss of death which secured him a score of 93.67. After winning two of three AST Dew Tour stops, including Salt Lake City’s Toyota Challenge, Jones held the overall point leader position coming into the final event. He defended his points standing position throughout the finals landing him with an overall lead of 30 points and the new title of 2008 AST Dew Tour FMX Champion.

“I am really excited to wrap up my season on such a positive note. My year started off really slow and I had a few bumps along the way so to end my year like this is unbelievable and it feels great,” said Jones

Adam Jones would like to thank the following sponsors: Monster Energy Drink, Fox Racing, DC Shoes, Smith, Maxxis, Ogio, Pro Circuit, Pro Taper and Factory Connection.

Twitch Repeats as LG World Champion of Freestyle Motocross!

An Event Favorite is Stunned in the Semi-Final Round

LOS ANGELES (September 27, 2008)  -- More than 12,000 fans witnessed a night of sky-scraping performances at the 6th annual LG World Championships of Freestyle Motocross produced by ASA Entertainment rocked Fairplex Pomona tonight at the L.A. County Fair.  After opening musical acts that included headlining band FILTER played on the Maxell music stage, Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg (Santee, California) outshined his fellow competitors for the second consecutive year to capture the title of 2008 LG World Champion of Freestyle Motocross and $30,000.

With only four days to practice after recovering from recent hand surgery, Twitch flipped his way to the title with the confidence and skill for which he is known.  This win was particularly special as it came at what he terms his “favorite event” and happened on his birthday.

“It is what it is,” Twitch stated when asked for comments about his win. “I came out and got first place.  It’s what I do.  And, I gave myself a great birthday present.”

When asked if he would be back next year, he remarked, “This year I got the repeat, next year I’m going for the three-peat!”

It was clear that Stenberg’s skill level exceeded his challengers, as he was the only athlete in the competition to perform three back-flip variations in succession and never repeat a trick during a run.  His tricks were innovative, death defying and technically extraordinary, leaving no question as to the world’s best freestyle athlete.

Oregon’s Beau Bamberg (Gresham) captured the $20,000 second place prize with an assured performance that displayed his potential and finally exhibited his skill level, something that has been lacking since he suffered a serious injury to the triangular wall of his abdomen two months ago while preparing for a competition.

“This feels great,” said Bamberg.  “The last couple of months I have not been able to ride up to my potential due to my injury.  Today was the first day that I’ve felt really good and was able to perform like I know I’m can.”

Bamberg’s ability was enough to upset 2008 X Games Los Angeles and X Games Mexico champion Jeremy Lusk (San Diego, California) in the semi-final round.  With his recent success, Lusk entered the competition as the favorite in many opinions.    However, Bamberg executed a run that left judges in extended deliberation about who was the heat winner.  When the final points were tallied, Bamberg advanced to the final round, less than a mere point ahead of Lusk. 

The evening’s head judge, Regis Harrington, explained the decision to a surprised audience.  “That was one of the closest rounds I’ve ever seen, so it was difficult.  However, Bamberg did different tricks throughout his entire run, and Lusk repeated two tricks.  In a competition this tight you just cannot do that.”

The event’s third place performance came from Adam Jones of Warrendale, Pennsylvania.  Jones won $10,000.

Five men earned the opportunity to compete alongside the world’s best for the LG World Championship of Freestyle Motocross title with successful performances in the open qualifying round earlier in the day.  These men are; Ronnie Faisst (Mays Landing, New Jersey), Cameron Sinclair (Langwarren, Victoria Australia), Dustin Miller (Garnerville, Nevada), Jeff Kargola (San Clemente, California) and local hometown favorite Wiley Fullmer (Chino, California).  They all turned in solid first round performances but were prevented from advancing by the world’s top pros this season.

All of the LG World Championships of Freestyle Motocross action will air on CBS Sports, Sunday, December 7th following the local NFL broadcast, as well as on cable networks to be announced.  Please check your local listings for more details.

For more information on the LG World Championships of Freestyle Motocross or photos from the event visit www.actionsportstour.com.

###

About LG Electronics, Inc.

ADAM JONES BREAKS LG CHAMPIONSHIP BAD LUCK STREAK WITH 3rd PLACE PODIUM FINISH

Carlsbad, CA – September 29, 2008 – Adam Jones seized the 3rd place podium finish last Saturday, September 27th, at the LG World Championships of Freestyle Motocross held at the Fairplex in Pomona , California . The win breaks Adams ’ bad luck streak with this event as, until now, he has never had a podium finish.

Jones, a recent double silver medal winner at X Games Mexico, included a stripper flip to a shoalin flip in his runs which left the judges very impressed and ultimately landed him in 3rd place. Jones competed only one day after being released from the hospital.  He was admitted due to dehydration from a virus caught at X Games Mexico one week prior. Jones came to Pomona ready to battle for a podium finish in front of the 12,000 fans and he didn’t disappoint.

“I am just happy to have a podium finish at LG.  This is a big moment for me after the last 2 years and I am really excited. I am looking forward to taking this energy into Dew Tour next month,” said Jones. Currently Jones is the overall points leader for the AST Dew Tour’s Dew Cup in FMX with 165 points.  Fellow WMG athlete, Blake Williams, trails him by just five points.  The final stop of the AST Dew Tour will be held in Orlando , Florida with the PlayStation Pro, October 16th-19th, which will prove to be a close finale in deciding the next FMX Dew Cup winner.

Carlsbad, CA – September 23, 2008 – Mike Mason claimed the bronze medal in both Freestyle Motocross and Moto X Step Up over the weekend at X Games Mexico.  The two day event captured the attention of over 19,000 fans at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City .

Mason, a four time X Games medalist, seized the X Games Mexico bronze in Freestyle Motocross after a stellar second run left the crowd in awe. Finishing with a score of 89.33, some of his tricks included a holygrab, cliffhanger, a flip nac and no handed flip.

“I didn’t do as well as I would have liked on my first run, but I am stoked I was able to nail my second and take home the bronze. It feels fantastic,” Mason said regarding his bronze medal podium finish. Mason received his second X Games Mexico medal in Moto X Step Up when he cleared 8.23 meters.

Carlsbad, CA – September 22, 2008 – Adam Jones seized the silver medal in both Freestyle Motocross and FMX Best Trick over the weekend at the X Games Mexico.  The 2 day event captured the attention of over 19,000 fans at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.

X Games 13 FMX gold medalist, Adam Jones, claimed the X Games Mexico silver medal in Freestyle Motocross after he landed a huge stripper flip, cliff hanger flip and a double grab hart attack finishing with a score of 92.33. The 24-year-old also took home his second silver medal of the weekend in FMX Best Trick when he stunned the Mexico City fans with his amazing signature trick, a shaolin backflip.  His second run consisted of a dead body backflip scoring him an overall 91.67.

“I am happy with how this weekend went. It is always nice to take away two X Games medals and the fans here were awesome.” Jones said regarding his finish. This weekend marked Jones’ sixth X Games medal.

Currently Jones is the overall point leader for the AST Dew Tour’s Dew Cup in FMX with 165 points and fellow WMG athlete, Blake Williams, trails by just five points.  The final stop of the AST Dew Tour commences in Orlando, Florida with the PlayStation Pro, October 16th-19th, which will prove to be a close finale in deciding the next FMX Dew Cup winner.

ADAM JONES CLOSES IN ON DEW CUP AFTER CLAIMING WIN AT AST DEW TOUR STOP IN SALT LAKE CITY

Carlsbad, CA – September 15, 2008 – Adam Jones clinched the Freestyle Motocross win at the forth stop of the AST Dew Tour, the Toyota Challenge, this past Saturday in Salt Lake City at the Energy Solutions Arena.

Jones’ first run locked him in the lead when he landed a turntable to a no-handed, no-footed can-can, a dead body and a stripper flip which ultimately earned him a score of 94.17. His win in Salt Lake City launched the 24-year-old of Minden , Nevada into the overall points lead for the Dew Cup with 165 points.  Fellow WMG athlete, Blake “Bilko” Williams, trails Jones by only five points. 

“I am really happy about the whole weekend,“ Jones said. “I laid down the exact run I wanted and it was good for the win. This weekend was the best I have felt on my bike since winning X Games last year.  Now I just need to go to Orlando and try to close out my first Dew Tour Championship.”

The final stop of the AST Dew Tour commences in Orlando , Florida next month with the PlayStation Pro, October 16th-19th, which will prove to be a close finale in deciding the next FMX Dew Cup winner with Jones entering as the front runner.

Moto X Best Trick

1 - Kyle Loza 

2 - Jeremy Lusk

3 - Todd Potter

4 - Blake Williams

5 - Mat Rebeaud

6 - Thomas Pages

7 - Nate Adams

8 - Jim McNeil

9 - Jim DeChamp

10 - Scott Murray

Moto X Step Up

1 - Ricky Carmichael

2 - Ronnie Renner

3 - Tommy Clowers

4 - Brian Deegan

5 - Mike Mason

Moto X Freestyle

1 - Jeremy Lusk

2 - Mat Rebeaud

3 - Mike Mason

For addition results, scores and stories head over to www.expn.com

FreestyleMX.com is pleased to announce a from the road journal entry from none other than our announcer, Cory.  Make sure when you see him out there you show him some love.

Thanks,Ginger

SMALL TOWN MEANS BIG FUN FOR FMX FANS

This week saw the Boost Mobile FreestyleMX.com Tour presented by Monster Energy Drink made a stop in Junction City, Kansas for a day of motor mayhem.  Going into this we were wondering why in the great wide world would such a small stop was chosen for 4th of July!  We were not disappointed as I think we ran into the coolest people on the planet and let me tell you, they love FMX!

The setup was laid right on the town’s main street next to Heritage Park where all the vendors for the Sundown Salute laid out the cheap sunglasses, kettle corn and mutant turkey legs.  The stage was set for three shows, which we thought would be overkill for such a small population.  The first two shows would be small we guessed and the last a little bigger as the peeps jetted home from the fireworks show.  First and second jams were seen by at least 1000 people each!  We came to find out we would crack open the last show as soon as the fireworks stopped, which were as cool as any big city and better since traffic would not be bad.  Over 6000 people were on hand for the last show! 

Kenny Bell showed that old dogs do progress by pulling some flip variations while Big John Distler let the fourstroke breath while airing it out over the Monster Energy bus with gaps set at 75 feet.  Young gun, James Carter came out swinging. He had me concerned with the gusty wind but he read the flags like a seasoned pro, proving that he deserved a spot on the tour and that he plans to go farther in FMX.  James and Kenny got to challenge a young fan and his mother in the Water Balloon Wars.  Not sure who won as everyone was wet (including me just watching) but so cool to hang out with the local fans and make a bitchin’ memory or two.

Just a quick shout out to our shoe sponsor Etnies.  Mine got soaked like scuba booties in New Hampshire and thrashed with muddy clay.  I was sure they were lawn mower shoes after that so I left them on the bus.  Needless to say, I came back a week later, wiped them down and they actually look pretty damn good.  Treatment that would send other shoes to the great sole in the sky didn’t make a dent in these ones.  Unfortunately, the lack of new lawn mowing kicks does not mean I don’t get to mow this week.  Damn shame, great shoe.

It’s off to North Carolina for another demo and then we head to Sonoma County for a two day contest!  Check the schedule for times and dates when we will be near you.  Come and see me- mention the site and I will see what kind of Boost Mobile or Monster Energy stuff I can get to you!

-Cory

The latest Red Bull Experiment will take place on the world-famous SantaMonica Pier. Freestyle motocross superstar Ronnie Renner will attempt toestablish the Guinness World Record for highest air ever attained on amotorcycle on a quarterpipe. This event marks the third chapter in the RedBull Experiment series, which features the best athletes from around theglobe performing world-first, “experimental” sporting achievements.

The event will be broadcast live on FSN Prime Ticket from 8:00 – 8:30 p.m.and on EXPN.com beginning at 8:00 p.m. Live music and an aerial demo from the Red Bull Helicopter and Red Bull MiGJet will energize the crowd and Ronnie as he tackles this feat.

 For more information go to www.redbullusa.com/experiment

Check out Monster Energy's Custom Bikeon CMT's "Chopper Challenge" TV Show Tonight!8:30 PM East Coast/West CoastLegendary master bike builder Alan Ball has created the ultimate custom chopper  for the hit CMT television show, "Chopper Challenge."  See how this Monster Energy branded bike came together with some inspiration from Monster Energy's freestyle star and X Games Gold Medallist, Kyle Loza.  Then witness the reveal of this truly one-of-kind custom creation by Ball.  Produced by V Entertainment Group, with consulting producer Paul Taublieb for Monster Energy.Tune tonight on CMT, 8:30 PM East Coast/West Coast!Then log onto: www.thechopperchallenge.com and select episode #8 - then vote for the Monster Energy bike by Alan Ball!

Over the weekend some of the best freestyle riders from around the world, gathered to take part in the first stop of the AST Dew Tour, the Panasonic Open in Baltimore, MD. 

 The Freestyle Finals results are:

1st - Blake Williams

2nd - Nate Adams

3rd - Mat Rebeaud

4th - Thomas Pages

5th - Jim McNeil

6th - Adam Jones

7th - Jeremy Lusk

8th - Robbie Maddison

9th - Nixey Danielson

10th - Mike Mason

The next stop will be the Right Guard Open in Cleveland, OH, July 17-20.  Stay tuned to freestylemx.com for all the Dew Tour results and updates.

The Boost Mobile FreestyleMX.com Tour presented by Monster Energy Drink made a stop in Landover, Maryland for the Boost Mobile Night Shift, June 14, 2008.  The crew made their way to Fed Ex Field to perform 3 shows for the event.  So far this year mother nature has not been our friend.  The day before the event we encountered high winds and the day of the show it poured rain. 

Thankfully tour owner, Marc Burnett bought some huge blow torches for the tour this year and was able to torch the hell out of the pavement and get it dry enough for the first show.  Riders Kenny Bell, John Distler and James Carter were able to perform for the crowd, backflips and all.  The rain continued to pour and needless to say we had to call off the 2nd and 3rd show.

 The boys are all in Baltimore for the Dew Tour.  Sources tell FreestyleMX.com that the conditions are bad, windy and rainy and the course is a little sloppy.  Wish the fellas luck as they compete this weekend.

Afterwards we're on to New Hampshire for a demo at the Nascar Race.  Hillbillies, hookers and hooch - that's right up our alley!

See ya on the road!

Fort Worth, Tex. (June 15, 2008) – Swiss superstar Mat Rebeaud flew to victory at Red Bull X-Fighters Texas on Saturday night. Twelve of the world’s best freestyle motocross riders turned the historic Stockyards district into their own personal playground, and the action was as hot as Texas baked beans. The combination of freestyle motocross and rodeo was witnessed by more than 20,000 fans, plus an additional 20,000-plus people outside of the venue, turning the area into a standstill, marking the first-ever Red Bull X-Fighters in America. The event featured rodeo queens, cowboys, and a rodeo chute, where the riders blasted out of to start their runs. Rounding out the top-three finishers were Americans Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg and Jeremy Lusk, who claimed second and third place respectively.

Rebeaud, who won the season opener in Mexico City, could barely believe his victory. “This is my first win in America,” he said. “I gave it everything on my last jump and if anything had gone wrong, I would have paid heavily.”

The Swiss star knew he had to go big and pulled a Backflip Superman Indie over the 20-foot-high quarterpipe on his last run of the evening. “That was absolutely decisive for the win. I was under massive pressure, but the feeling of relief now is indescribable,” said Rebeaud.

After being forced to concede defeat in the final, Stenberg paid respect to his Swiss colleague. “I am disappointed because I made a mistake, but I have to congratulate Mat,” Stenberg said. “He risked everything and deserved to win. The motto ‘Everything’s bigger in Texas’ was omnipresent here and this hard course has left its marks on all the riders.”

The riders competed on a Texas-sized course created by esteemed designer Dane Herron, which featured 13,000 cubic yards of dirt sculpted onto a 300-foot by 400-foot pad of land. Among the features were seven competition ramps with gaps ranging from 75-feet to 120-feet, two custom metal quarterpipes and several multi-directional dirt hits for the riders to choose from in their 90-second runs. The centerpiece of the course was the dirt quarterpipe, where the riders went for big air.

Robbie Maddison of Australia had to learn the dangers of extreme rodeo riding the hard way in his semifinal against Stenberg. The Australian star fell heavily during his second run. “I landed hard after pulling a Backflip Cordova and my kneecap popped out,” said Maddo. “I couldn’t bend the joint anymore so I was forced to quit the competition straight away. On the way back to the riders’ camp it popped back in on its own. Now I’m really going to go for it at the next Red Bull X-Fighters event.”

Freestyle legend and multi-time Red Bull X-Fighters winner Travis Pastrana made a grand entrance in his rally car, much to the delight of the crowd. Pastrana is focusing on his burgeoning rally career this year and served as the event’s grand marshal.

Following the event in Texas, Rebeaud now leads the riders’ overall series classification with 280 points, followed by Stenberg (235) and Maddison (165). This was the third of five global Red Bull X-Fighters competitions in 2008. The series began in 2001, and this year, in addition to Ft. Worth, has visited Mexico City and Rio, with stops in Germany and Spain to follow.

Final Result - Red Bull X-Fighters Texas1. Mat Rebeaud (SUI)2. Jeremy Stenberg (USA)3. Jeremy Lusk (USA)4. Robbie Maddison (AUS)5. Thomas Pages (FRA)6. Taka Higashino (JAP)7. Andre Villa (NOR)8. Myles Richmond (USA)9. Chuck Carothers (USA)10. Charles Pages (FRA)11. Ronnie Renner (USA)12. Todd Potter (USA)

Red Bull X-Fighters Texas will be aired on ABC next Sunday, June 22 at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT, immediately following the IndyCar Series race.

For additional information on Red Bull X-Fighters, please visit www.redbullxfighters.com

The Boost Mobile FreestyleMX.com Tour found themselves in Fayetteville, Arkansas to do a demo for Monster Energy Drink at the Wal*Mart corporate shareholders meeting.   The 2 day event, June 4-5 was stocked full of entertainment, providing free concerts to the people.  Stars like Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Journey were a few of the performers. 

The FMX show was at the University of Arkansas, where we were to put on 3 shows each day.  The weather failed to cooperate.  The wind was fierce and the first day, riders Beau Bamburg, Kenny Bell and John Distler had to sit out the first 2 shows.  At the end of the day disregarding the 40 mph winds Beau geared up and hit the ramp, landing KOD backflips while the rest of the gang followed suit.  Several thousand people were there and it was a great turn out.

The second day was so windy we just couldn't jeopardize our riders safety but they hung around and signed autographs in the Monster tent with Wee Man. 

The evening madness on Dickson St was a blast - Monster Energy sure knows how to have a good time and we have to thank them for their hospitality.

Our next stop is The Boost Mobile Night Shift in Maryland - see you all there!

AST ANNOUNCES NIKE 6.0 AS SPONSOR OF SUMMER AND WINTER DEW TOURS

NEW YORK - June 9, 2008 - The AST, the umbrella brand and organization of the world's most prestigious action sports properties, today announced that Nike 6.0 has signed on as an associate sponsor for the AST Dew Tour and AST Winter Dew Tour.

As an associate sponsor, Nike 6.0 will receive tour-wide exclusivity in the footwear, athletic and casual apparel, and outerwear categories. Nike 6.0 will also receive fully integrated marketing benefits, including television ads on NBC and USA Network, online and on-site exposure as well as inclusion in the Tour's multi-million dollar marketing campaign.

"We're excited to have the support of Nike 6.0 for our two premier tours, the AST Dew Tour and AST Winter Dew Tour," said Wade Martin, AST president. "Nike 6.0 has tremendous credibility, a terrific stable of up and coming action sports stars, and an exciting, innovative activation strategy.  We look forward to working together to bring the partnership to life and grow our respective businesses." 

"Nike 6.0 is committed to supporting progressive young action sports athletes," said Dan Burris, Nike Action Sports GM.  "We feel the AST Dew Tour is equally committed to elevating the best action sports athletes from around the world. We look forward to combining the creativity and energy of the Nike 6.0 brand with the premium events of the AST Dew Tour and the new addition of the AST Winter Dew Tour to create an inspiring venue for all action sport athletes."

"RICKY CARMICHAEL: NEXT" -  REALITY TV SHOW ABOUT CARMICHAEL'S QUEST TO MAKE IT IN NASCAR SET TO AIR ON SPEED TV

TUNE IN: Saturday June 14th, 6:30 PM (EST) on Speed TV

RICKY ALSO  ATTEMPS TO SET WORLD RECORD IN 'STEP UP'  

UNPRECEDENTED BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCESS TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF "THE GOAT"

By Eric Johnson

"I'm doing this because a lot of people say it can't be done," says Ricky Carmichael on his unwavering drive to enter a new era of motosports greatness.

On Saturday June 14, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time), Speed TV will air the new reality TV show "Ricky Carmichael: NEXT" based on the real life exploits of motocross legend Ricky Carmichael and his quest to leave his mark in the astonishingly competitive form of motorsport known as NASCAR. The show will also re-air on Sunday, June 28, 2008 at 12:30 A.M. (Eastern Standard Time).

Brought to life by award-wining producer Paul Taublieb of MXi and Monster Enegy (part of Monster's new consumer content initiative), and produced in association with highly-respected veteran NASCAR TV producer Pam Miller, "Ricky Carmichael: NEXT" provides unprecedented and unfettered access into the life and times of Ricky Carmichael. Taking fans where they have never gone before, NEXT delivers viewers right into the Tallahassee, Florida home of Ricky Carmichael and provides an unabashed look at what he and his family go through as the 15-time champion and undisputed greatest motocross racer of all-time leaves his epic high flying career behind in an unflinching effort to make it at all costs in the asphalt jungle that is the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing.

"I think it's going to be something great for the fans," avers Carmichael of the show that allows the normally private and reserved athlete deep inside his private life and shows the wide range of emotions of feelings his wife, mother, father and close friends share about his newfound four-wheel career. "While racing motocross, everyone thought I was so serious and just a total motohead, but NEXT shows a neat side of me. It shows me being relaxed. It shows what goes on besides just the racing side of my life. It also shows me making the transition from motocross to car racing. I wanted to do the show and when the time came and Joe Parsons of Monster, along with Paul Taublieb,  asked me if I wanted to do it, I said, 'yes!' I want people to see how I am. I’m excited about the show. Fans will be able to see how much fun I have, but also how serious I am about making it in car racing."

As the driver of the Monster Energy-backed Chevrolet Monte Carlo, NEXT follows Carmichael as he begins the 2008 Camping World East NASCR Series. A member of a high-profile Ken Schrader Racing team - owned and operated by NASCAR Schrader a Sprint Cup racing - Carmichael's season starts off with a very encouraging top five finish, but then due to some bad luck and bent and twisted sheet metal at round two in Iowa, quickly goes sideways. Then, two weeks later, at South Boston Speedway in Virginia, Carmichael experiences the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The weekend begins on a huge high when Carmichael captures his first career pole with a lap at 89.759 miles per hour.

"It felt as great as anything I had ever done on a motorcycle," smiles Carmichael. "It was a feeling I had not had in a long time. I couldn't believe it. I did not think I was ready for a pole."

Then comes the emotional wall-hit - both literally and figuratively - when Carmichael is the victim of a late race crash. And it is the emotional ups and downs captured in Next that show how radically different auto racing can be from the remarkably athletic motorsport of motocross.

"Absolutely," he answers when asked if not being in control of his own fate can be frustrating. "When I raced supercross, I'd fly right home and get right back on the bike that Monday and work at what I sucked at. In the stock car, you can be on top of the world and running in eighth place with 25 laps to go and then end up in a collision that wasn't your fault and with a car that is all torn up. It can be "boom" and your slammed in the wall. That's the hardest thing for me to swallow right now."

And it is not just Carmichael the Next cameras focus on. Both intrigued and curious as to how the finest rider ever to leap over dirt obstacles as big as small office towers and race 40 minutes straight in 90-degree heat and 90% humidity fares on circular patches of asphalt and concrete, NASCAR drivers major garage personalities such as Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, Joe Gibbs, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader and Dave Despain all weigh-in on Ricky's progress.

"Motocross was always for me," declares Carmichael of his great adventure. "It was a sport I started doing when I was five years old. I was supposed to turn pro and do good and accomplish a lot. Car racing was not supposed to be for me. It was never in the books for me. That's why I want to do this so badly. It's something that was not in the books for me. It's a great challenge. If I could get to [Sprint] Cup and be competitive, it would be a great, great, great life accomplishment. I'd be so proud. In fact I'd be as proud of it as much as anything I have ever done in motorcycle racing. I want to make it. It's hard, but I'm not going to give up until I don't make."

Demonstrating that is roots are still planted firmly in dirt, NEXT also features a segment on Ricky Carmichael officially breaking the world record for step up with a 36-foor leap off a jump built by Jesse Olson of Olson Course Designs.

"Step up is something I always wanted to do," says Carmichael. "When I saw it in the X Games, I knew I wanted to do it. It's so much fun for me. I'm not bothered to go high. I did similar stuff on my minibikes when I was little. I'd go straight up and come back down and try and land on the footpegs and keep my balance. That feeling is very familiar to me."

And of breaking the world record with a mind-boggling leap of 36 feet?

"You go so high," he laughs. "In fact the higher you go, the less forward momentum you gain. Basically, you fall from the sky. When I set the world record at 36-feet, I think I could have gone even higher, but what happened is that I just came straight down. No matter what, it was real thrill to break the record."

Want to see more as Ricky Carmichael forges forward, determined to "make it" in NASCAR, as well as his world record in Step UP? Tune into Speed for Next on Friday, June 14, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. Ricky Carmichael pieced together the greatest single motocross career in history with a will of iron and a spirit of determination that bordered on demonic. NEXT will show you how just how far these attributes can Carmichael in an automobile.

"Ricky Carmichael: NEXT" is a production of Monster Energy in association with Paul Taublieb and Media X International, Inc,  and producer Pam Miller of Innovative Images.  Executive Producers Mark Hall, Joe Parsons and Sam Pontrelli.

On May 17, the Boost Mobile FreestyleMX.com put on a demo for tour sponsor Monster Energy Drink in Kansas City, MO.  An absolutely amazing place, imagine a stage area the size of a football field surrounded by nightclubs, bars and restaraunts.  We were in our element, that's for sure!

Monster riders Jeff "Ox" Kargola and Kyle Loza were joined by Derek Cook and Derek Burlew to perform 3 shows for the crowd.  During practice Ox overjumped, blew out his wheel and walked away with a broken rib and chipped tooth.  The shows were great and the fans were awesome. 

Tour owner Marc Burnett avoided an arrest by the skin of his teeth - the Kansas City po-po are pretty strict!  We had one hour to break down the show and be off the street - if you've seen the shows, that's a pretty hard task.  Luckily everyone pulled together and got it done, otherwise Marc would have himself a boyfriend right about now.

Thank you Kansas City for the wonderful time!

The Boost Mobile FreestyleMX.com Tour traveled to Aguascalientes, Mexico to take part in the 180 year old San Marcos La Feia de Mexico.  Riders Beau Bamburg, Kenny Bell, Mad Mike Jones, John Distler and new tour riders JJ Romans and James Carter performed 3 shows a day from April 24-May 18.  They did a total of 18 shows and were seen by crowds totaling 20K-30K spectators.

The conditions were windy at times but nothing this crew hasn't faced before.  The fans in Mexico are like no other.  And the nightlife there was nothing like we've seen before.  Think Mardi Gras but BIGGER!  Clubs stay open until 6:00 am and they party until all the tequila is gone.

We had such a great time in Mexico and can't wait to head back next year!

    &n