Kawasaki’s Dirt Riders
Gather at Corporate Headquarters
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Kawasaki
Dirt Riders Gathering |
Irvine, CA (1/21/2009) - Kawasaki’s
supercross, off-road, and ATV teams came together
last Thursday to celebrate all things dirt. A total
of 18 riders were present to show their appreciation
to the employees, media, and one another. The emcee,
Cameron Steele, made sure everyone in attendance
got a behind the scenes look at the riders that
represent Kawasaki in the dirt, while champions
Ryan Villopoto, Destry Abbott, and Ricky Dietrich
were recognized for their outstanding achievements
with one of a kind championship rings.
Welcoming First Timers
The 2009 Team Announcement was the first time
Cameron Steele was able to participate in the
event at the Kawasaki headquarters. His energy
and enthusiasm about the sport kept everyone on
the edge of their seat during the entire presentation.
Being Proud Of Your Team
Monster Energy Kawasaki Supercross Team Manager
Mike Fisher was very proud of the team he’s
assembled, along with all the other managers and
owners present at the kick-off event. Newcomer
to the factory team Villopoto and Kawasaki veteran
Timmy Ferry have done a great job representing
the green and black.
All Walks of Dirt
It didn’t matter if you rode with two wheels
or with four, all the riders enjoyed one another
and show mutual respect for the other disciplines
of racing.
Celebrate the Champions
Dietrich was acknowledged for his exceptional
year in 2008. Along with winning the AMA EnduroCross
championship, he was runner up in the WORCS series,
AMA Racing’s Athlete of the Year, and top-American
at the ISDE in Greece. After a year like that,
he definitely deserved some accolades from the
entire headquarters.
Making it #5
Also being recognized for his achievements was
Destry Abbott, who is starting his 12th year with
Kawasaki in 2009.
“Every little thing helps and getting emails
and encouragements from the company here at Kawasaki
means more than you all know,” said Abbott
when he received his championship ring for his
fifth AMA National Hare and Hound title.
Becoming Routine
Villopoto has made the AMA Motocross Lites championship
a routine over the past three years and Kawasaki
made sure he knew they appreciated his efforts.
Good Friends
Monster Energy/ Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki rider Jake
Weimer was able to take a look at what he could
earn if he wins a championship with Kawasaki.
His good friend Villopoto wasn’t shy about
showing off his new possession.
Kawasaki Family- Canidae/ Motosport/
Kawasaki
Coming into its third year with Kawasaki, the
Canidae/Motosport/Kawasaki team brought its five-man
team to show off. Tommy Hahn leads the way on
the KX™450F, while riders Kyle Cunningham,
Branden Jesseman and rookies PJ Larsen and Hunter
Hewitt made their first appearance at the kick-off
for the lites team.
Kawasaki Family- Monster Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki
Also in its third year with Kawasaki, the Monster
Energy/Cernic’s/Kawasaki brought two of
its three riders to the kick-off. Bobby Kiniry
and Paul Carpenter were there to represent the
team, while lites rider Jack Carpenter was unable
to attend. Both Kiniry and Carpenter are making
supercross mains consistently, while Jack Carpenter
will be running the eastern region of the supercross
lites.
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Kawasaki
ATV Rider Josh Creamer |
ATV Love
In only its third year of four-wheel racing, the
Monster Energy Kawasaki ATV team was well represented
with returning rider Josh Creamer and newly-acquired
Chad Wienen. Team Manager Jimmy White called the
2009 season the year for Kawasaki to bring home
a championship and the riders seemed to agree.
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