MotoGP: Kawasaki confirm Monster deal

Kawasaki’s factory MotoGP squad has officially confirmed American energy drink giant Monster as one of its major backers in the 2008 world championship.

In a deal anticipated for several months, Monster will increase its involvement in MotoGP, having broken into the series in 2007 as a personal sponsor of American John Hopkins, who quit Suzuki to join Kawasaki for 2008.

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Monster won’t be title sponsors for the team, and won’t have one-off naming rights for the Japanese factory squad in the two American GPs in 2008 in Laguna Seca and Indianapolis as was rumoured.

It is understood that the current deal though has an option in place for Monster to become title sponsor for 2009, giving them full naming rights.

Monster is already heavily involved with Kawasaki, backing superbike and super cross teams in America.