Monster Energy/Kawasaki's Ferry & Villopoto Go 4th/5th In Premier Supercross Class @ Anaheim 1

CORONA, Calif. - The Monster Energy/Kawasaki boyz - Tim "Red Dog" Ferry and Ryan Villopoto - got off to an excellent start to open the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season - both managing to keep their bikes on two wheels through the end in a wild, crash-filled season opener at Anaheim's (Calif.) Angel Stadium.

After wowing everybody at Friday's season-opening press day and putting up some eye-catching lap times in practice, Villopoto - the 2007 WSX champ and three-time defending outdoor MX Lites champ - began his SX class legacy in perfect order, winning the first heat race at Anaheim 1 over Monster Energy/Kawasaki teammate Ferry.

"Yeah, I was pumped with that," said Villopoto of his heat race win.

In the main event Villopoto ran into some difficulty early, starting the race around 10th place before falling back to 13th by lap four. But he didn't hang out there long, mounting a charge that would have him clicking off faster laps as the 20-lap contest wore on before finally working his way up to 5th overall in his first-ever 450cc class main event.

For Ferry it was a typical, consistent workman-like effort aboard the Kawasaki KX450F. Nothing flashy, just head down and charging - winning some key battles against fellow veteran racers Ivan Tedesco and Heath Voss and holding off a hard-charging Villopoto for 4th overall.

"Fans got to see a pretty wild race tonight," said Ferry. "I was pleased to stay out of all the trouble and make the top five. And I'm happy for Ryan (Villopoto). He rode real well in his first SX class heat and main. Anaheim 1's always crazy and I'm glad it's out of the way and I'm looking forward to racing in Phoenix this weekend."

Next up for Ferry, RV and the Monster Energy/Kawasaki team is round two of Monster Energy Supercross at Phoenix's Chase Field this Saturday.

Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, mini bikes, surf, snow, BMX - name it - the athletes are rockin' Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types - Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, Monster's fruit juice hybrid dubbed "M-80," the party- friendly MIXXD, the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream drink line supercharged with our Monster Energy blend, along with the new Monster Energy "Hitman" energy shot. Red Dog & RV dig 'em - so will you. On the 'Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com