Josh Coppins Racing (JCR) has secured a new multi-year partnership with global energy drink giant Monster Energy, with the successful New Zealand motocross team set to be rebranded as Monster Energy JCR Yamaha.
Facilitated by Monster Energy New Zealand, the agreement has been signed through the company’s California-based arm and will see JCR Yamaha adopt Monster Energy’s distinctive black, green and white colour scheme.
The partnership brings together two established names in motocross, with Yamaha already having an international relationship with Monster Energy.
Monster Energy New Zealand Marketing Manager Ajay Patel said the partnership was a natural fit for the brand and JCR Yamaha.
“Josh Coppins Racing represents the dedication, determination and championship mindset that our brand is built around. We’re excited to back a team with such a strong legacy in New Zealand motocross and be part of their next chapter as Monster Energy JCR Yamaha. We’re proud to be part of the journey and look forward to celebrating the team’s successes,” Patel said.
For JCR Team Manager Josh Coppins, the deal also carries a personal significance, having been one of the first athletes to represent Monster Energy in the Motocross World Championship during his own racing career.
“On a professional basis, Yamaha has an international partnership with Monster Energy, so it is a natural fit. Then on a personal level this feels like a full circle moment, as I was riding for the Factory Yamaha team, when the Monster Energy global relationship started and I was one of the first athletes to represent the Monster Energy brand in the Motocross World Championship. Obviously, I am thrilled and proud to represent the brand again as a manager these days and excited to have Monster Energy backing our three-rider team this season,” Coppins said.
The Monster Energy JCR Yamaha team will feature a familiar line-up for the 2026/2027 season, with Mangakino-based Maximus Purvis continuing in the MX1 class after a decade with the team.
Purvis successfully defended his MX1 title earlier this year before heading across the Tasman during the off-season to contest the 2026 Australian Enduro Championship with the AJ Roberts-managed ShopYamaha Off Road team.
The Kiwi showed he is equally comfortable in the enduro discipline, claiming an E1 round victory and finishing third outright in Pro Enduro at Rounds 7 and 8 of the Australian Enduro Championship.
Oparau’s James Scott will represent Monster Energy JCR Yamaha in MX2 for the 2026/2027 season.
Scott won the 2024 MX2 title for the team before finishing runner-up in the 2026 Yamaha Motor New Zealand Motocross Championship. He will now set his sights on returning to the top step of the championship when the four-round 2027 series gets underway.
The third member of the team will be Coppins’ son, Nixon, who has recently turned 14 and will contest the MX125cc class aboard a Yamaha YZ125.
“Nixon has recently turned 14, so he is only just old enough to race the MX125 class. It will be a learning year for him before he starts a full season of European motocross,” Coppins said.
Coppins is also looking forward to having Purvis and Scott back for another season after both riders enjoyed strong campaigns last year.
“James and Maximus have been with us for many years now, and they both went well last year with Maximus winning MX1 and James second in MX2. We look forward to welcoming them both back this season, and the goal will be for them to wrap up their respective championships,” Coppins said.
The team’s 2026 MX2 Championship-winning rider Hayden Draper is moving to Australia to continue his racing career and was therefore unable to attend the team’s summer events.
With the new Monster Energy partnership now in place, Coppins is looking forward to getting the new-look team on track, with the first competitive hit-out scheduled for the annual MX Fest in Taupo in October.
