News Update: August 3, 2006

Monster Energy Sponsors Rally Racer Ken Block

Longtime action sports industry shoe/boot/apparel icon turned professional rally car racer will run the glowing green ripped clawed “M” logo on his factory-backed Subaru

CARLSBAD, Calif., (Aug. 3, 2006) – Monster Energy announced today that skateboard/snowboard industry footwear & apparel icon turned professional rally car racer Ken Block and his open class Subaru WRX STI for the remainder of the 2006 Rally America season and the upcoming rally competition featured in the summer ESPN X Games.

Block, 38, who helped found the mega-popular DC Shoes company, began his rally racing career in 2004. In his first full season of racing this past year he was named the Rookie of the Year of the Rally America National Championship. A Subaru Rally Team USA teammate of Travis Pastrana on the 2006 Rally America National Championship series, Block will contest all nine rounds of the tour and will be one of the favorites to capture a podium spot in the inaugural rally portion of the summer X Games in Los Angeles (Aug. 3-6).

“I’ve been into Monster Energy for a number of years now and see it as a positive for both parties to align myself with a company that gives so much back to the action sports and motorsports communities,” said Block, noting longtime friend Ricky Carmichael and Dave Mirra as other Monster Energy-backed motorsports athlete. “Rally car racing is on the cusp of blowing up big here in the States and Monster has positioned themselves at the forefront of what I feel will be a very successful racing campaign this summer.”

Block, from Encinitas, Calif., finished last season in 4th place in the overall Rally America National Championship and 3rd in the highly competitive Group N standings. So far in 2006 Block has improved upon his 2005 season, winning his first rally ever – the 100 Acre Wood Rally (Salem, Mo.), Round Two of the Rally America National Championship. His co-driver on the Subaru team is Alex Gelsomino, an Italian-born racer who has been competing in rallies in North America since 1998. Block is currently 2nd in the overall point standings.

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it rally racing, motocross, surf, skate, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Ken Block digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Crown Athlete Management Group is the most comprehensive marketing, branding and athlete management firm focused on the future of action sports. For sponsorship opportunities or media information please contact (info@crownamg.com) or by phone at (760) 918-9382.