CARMEL, IN (May 18, 2022) – Monster Energy and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and JC Raceteknik today announced a new partnership that will feature two Monster Energy FC1-X Group E cars driven by Andreas Bakkerud and Robin Larsson in the upcoming global Nitro RX series.
The global energy drink giant, Monster Energy, will partner with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and JC Raceteknik throughout the Nitro RX series, as the partnership will be Monster Energy’s first-ever EV team.
The all-electric Monster Energy FC1-X cars will be driven by 2021 FIA European Rallycross Champion Andreas Bakkerud of Norway and 2014 FIA European Rallycross Champion Robin Larsson of Sweden. Both drivers competed in the 2021 Nitro RX tour and carry extensive experience into the ten-event 2022-23 campaign beginning June 18-10 at the legendary Lydden Hill Race Circuit in England.
The DRR FC1-X Group E electric rallycross cars’ livery will feature the iconic Monster Energy claw as well as a vibrant blue, gold, and black scheme. DRR teamed up with the European-based JC Raceteknik operation earlier this year with FC1-X Group E vehicles.
“We are extremely excited about the partnership with a legendary brand such as Monster Energy,” said Dennis Reinbold, DRR team owner. “And combining the effort with champion drivers like Andreas and Robin with the new FC1-X Group E machines should make for a strong team as we take on some of the world’s best in the Nitro RX series. We feel this blending with Monster Energy, the champion racers and JC Raceteknik gives us a solid organization.”
Bakkerud, 30, has record three FIA European championships (two in Super1600 and one in Supercar) and was also runner-up in the 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship.
Larsson, 29, captured the 2014 FIA ERX Supercar Championship and scored event wins in the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the FIA ERX TouringCar Championship.
The expanded Nitro RX series, which features unique dirt and pavement tracks, features ten races staged in six countries, including Sweden, Finland, Canada and Saudi Arabia. Nitro RX will then bridge the calendar year to culminate in March 2023 with a championship event held in the U.S. Nitro RX will grow beyond its roots in outdoor dirt tracks, with competition on tarmac, inside stadiums, through street circuits and over snow and ice for a diverse range of race environments.
The ten-event tour is scheduled for June 18-19 in England; July 30-31 in Sweden; August 27-28 in Finland; October 1-2 in Minneapolis, MN; October 29-30 in Los Angeles, CA; November 12-13 in Phoenix, AZ; December 10-11 in Saudi Arabia; January 21-22, 2023, in Quebec, CAN; February 4-5 in Alberta, CAN; and March 2023 in the U.S. with the Nitro RX Season Finale.
About the Monster Energy
Created in 2002, the Monster Energy drink became one of the top-selling energy drinks in the world. There is a multitude of different drinks under the Monster Energy brand including their Monster Energy line, Monster Ultra, Java Monster, Juice Monster, Monster Hydro, Rehab Monster, Dragon Tea, and Muscle Monster. Monster Energy has sold billions of dollars in variety of energy drinks.
About Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing was founded in 1999 by Indianapolis car dealer Dennis Reinbold. The legacy of the Dreyer and Reinbold family dates back to the 1920s with Reinbold’s grandfather, the legendary Floyd “Pop” Dreyer, a former factory motorcycle racer. Dreyer served as a crewman and mechanic on the famed Duesenberg driven by Benny Shoaff and Babe Stapp in the 1927 Indy 500. Dreyer went on to build Indy 500 cars in the 1930s which many started on the front row. In addition, Dreyer constructed championship-winning sprint cars and midgets as well as quarter midgets called Dreyerettes. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing captured its first win in 2000 with driver Robbie Buhl at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Fla., and has fielded a variety of drivers including Buhl, Buddy Lazier, Sarah Fisher, Buddy Rice, Al Unser Jr., Sage Karam, and J.R. Hildebrand. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has successfully qualified all 43 drivers for the Indy 500 in its history. DRR, who competed in Rallycross for the first time in 2015, captured the 2016 Lites rallycross championship. In 2021, the team campaigned Tanner Foust and Cabot Bigham in the Supercar division of Nitro Rallycross. Additionally, the team ran a selection of lites cars that included drivers such as Sage Karam, Conner Martell, and Lane Vacala.
About the JC Raceteknik
JC Raceteknik is a professional rallycross team based in Sweden. They have competed across the world such as Nitro Rallycross, World Rallycross, European Rallycross, and RallyX Nordic. They have won titles across different seasons including the FIA European Rallycross Drivers Championship in 2019 with Robin Larsson and FIA World Rallycross Drivers Championship in 2021 with Johan Kristoffersson.