“The Cobra Generation” Has Arrived!

Davi Millsaps and Trey Canard – both former factory Cobra racers – sweep the SX and SX Lites podium at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome

Former Cobra racer Tyler Bowers’ comment resonates throughout the industry. Hear it for yourself right here at the  20:52 mark of his interview with Jim Holly and Jason Weigandt!*

HILLSDALE, Mich., (Feb. 26, 2008) – A number of the boys who grew up racing the legendary Cobra King 50 mini cycles have recently graduated to the top of the podium on the world’s premier competition motocross stage – Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.

Austin Stroupe

Dubbed the “Cobra generation,” Atlanta Supercross SX and SX Lites class winners David Millsaps (Honda) and Trey Canard (Torco/Honda), along with Houston SX Lites class winner Austin Stroupe (Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) are all graduates of the Cobra King 50 program. Millsaps won Loretta Lynn’s AMA National Amateur Championship in 1996 and ’97 on Cobras, Stroupe won Loretta’s on  his Cobra in ’99 and Canard was always a solid top five kid on his Cobra before really taking off once he got to the big bikes.

In fact, the recent success by former Cobra champions spawned this classic line from rookie ESX Lites class racer Tyler Bowers – himself a former Cobra pilot – on supercrossonline.com:

Davi Millsaps

“I think the Cobra generation is finally getting in here,” said Bowers. “We grew up riding bikes other than the PWs. And from a young age we were able to jump stuff right off the bat.”

Bowers’ spot-on sentiment was echoed loudly by Monster Energy Supercross announcers Jason Weigandt and Jim Holly, both of whom agreed in full and expanded upon this “Cobra generation” phenomenon:

“That’s a different breed of motorcycle,” said Holly of the Cobras. “Cobra came out with a 50cc motorcycle with suspension that had the ability to do the double jumps out there. All these guys raced each other growing up and now they’re 16 and rookies and have moved up to the supercross show. They’re gonna shine!”

Trey Canard

Cobra, founded in 1993, produces the most successful line of competition mini cycles and mini quads in the United States with more than 200 national titles in the last decade. Based out of Hillsdale, Mich., Cobra's mission is to build premium products for the serious racer. For more information on Cobra products, please visit our website at www.cobramotorcycle.com.

High Profile Public Relations (HPPR), LLC, is a multi-faceted communications agency specializing in strategic media relations – both industry and mainstream – for the powersports and action sports communities. Dialed in with all forms of power and action sports, its participants, manufacturers and live event promoters, HPPR’s Pat Schutte can be reached at (734) 369-2170 and pat@highprofilepr.com.