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MONSTER ENERGY® KAWASAKI CELEBRATES THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF RICKY CARMICHAEL’S 2001 SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ricky Carmichael’s 2001 Supercross Championship on a Kawasaki, Monster Energy® Kawasaki will be displaying his 2001 KX™250SR during the Monster Energy AMA Supercross round in San Diego on Saturday, January 17.
The team celebrates Carmichael’s dominance with a display of his original 2001 KX™250SR, along with a 2026 KX™450SR replica display bike, built to pay a modern homage to a memorable era of racing. To further celebrate, Monster Energy Kawasaki riders Chase Sexton and Garrett Marchbanks will sport similar graphics aboard their KX™450SR for San Diego supercross.
Carmichael began one of his most dominant campaigns in supercross history with his first win of the season at San Diego supercross in 2001. The No. 4 Kawasaki went on to win 14 of 16 races during the 2001 supercross season and finished on the podium at every round to claim his first supercross championship in the premier class. Carmichael created a new era in racing as he took over the premier class and ushered in a new dominant force.
“2001 was my first premier class supercross championship. The Chevy Trucks Kawasaki Team worked with me to get my KX™250SR dialed in, and we were able to win 14 of the 16 races. It was an incredible accomplishment for the team and me. It is a championship I will always cherish.”
- Ricky Carmichael
“Right after Ricky won the 2000 Motocross Championship, the team met with Ricky to discuss needed improvements to the KX™250SR for the 2001 supercross season. His main issue was that he wanted to lower the bike to suit his riding style. Once the bike was completed, Ricky returned to California to test the KX™250SR and was convinced he could win. The team decided to race the U.S. Open in Las Vegas as a test. Ricky won the race, and this was the confidence he needed to begin his quest for the 2001 Supercross Championship.”
- Bruce Stjernstrom, Kawasaki Racing USA