La Mirada, Calif.-based Makita U.S.A., manufacturer of industrial power tools and accessories, has extended its presence in the world of live race events with its sponsorship of Riviera Racing, winner of the 2007 Score International Off-Road Race Series Championship.

Makita joins Rockstar Energy Drink in partnership with Riviera Racing. The new Rockstar Makita Riviera Racing Team will feature the familiar glossy black Riviera Ford Trophy Truck in Score off-road competitions in Nevada and Mexico, including the Baja 1000.

“The Score series features some of the most prestigious and challenging off-road competitions in the world — it’s the best of the best,” said Brent Withey, brand manager at Makita. “We’re happy to be a part of this amazing series with the best desert race team in the business, Riviera Racing.”

The 2008 Score circuit includes the Tecate Score Baja 500, as well as races in Las Vegas and Primm, Nev. The season concludes with the Tecate Score Baja 1000 in November. For Riviera Racing and team riders Mark Post, Rob MacCachren and Kelly Couric, the goal for 2008 is to defend their championship-winning 2007 season.

For Makita, the sponsorship of Riviera Racing is a natural step in its growing line of partnerships with racing and action sports.

Makita is already a fixture in the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross Series. This year Makita and Suzuki teamed up with Rockstar Energy Drinks to form Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing. The team debuted in January at the AMA Supercross season opener in Anaheim, where team rider Ryan Dungey won the Supercross Lites class race. The team will race in the upcoming 2008 AMA Motocross Series. Rockstar Makita Suzuki is also a sponsor of ATV and Superbike racing teams.

Makita recently partnered with Rockstar Energy Drinks and LeDuc Racing to form Rockstar Makita LeDuc Racing, which will compete in the 2008 Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) Series. Makita also partnered with DragonFire Racing and Polaris in the side-by-side racing category, and will also compete in the 2008 CORR Series.

Makita is also the official tool sponsor of Major League Soccer, as well as the Mexican National Soccer Team for their games played in the U.S.

The new Rockstar Makita Riviera Racing Team will feature the familiar glossy black Riviera Ford Trophy Truck (pictured) in Score off-road competitions in Nevada and Mexico, including the Baja 1000.