PJ Jacobsen 2011

Fighting for the box

PJ Jacobsen

an interview

Though he is only 18, PJ Jacobsen already has an impressive track record of success – and by all accounts, the best is still yet to come in his racing career. Thanks to his ambition and talent PJ is REV'IT!'s newest sponsored racer. “I don't know where my path leads me,” PJ says. “But I know I'll be pushing as hard as I can. I want to be up there, I want to win. Just like everybody else."

Growing Up

on a Motorbike

Talking to PJ at his home in Montgomery, New York, means talking to a self-confident but never cocky rider who loves doing what he knows best: racing. He's got his dad Keith to thank for that. “My dad was a pro racer, a dirt tracker. Then he had me and he started getting me into it,” says PJ.  “I was really young, like three years old.” Despite his age he's already come a long way, from riding mini motocross bikes to racing a Ducati 848 Evo in the American Daytona SportBike Class to Celtic Racing. He’s gathered some thirty titles, all on dirt. PJ remembers how it all began: “When I was about five years old I won my first championship on a Yamaha PW50 and then went on to ride 65 and 80 cc. I just kept winning and moved on to roadracing,” he says. “My dad and I pushed into another level of road racing instead of following the path of dirt track. I really wanted to do that, and I still do some dirt track now, but I definitely think road racing was the way to go.”

Dirt track

as a background

“I think dirt track is a really good background,” PJ says. “But now I'm noticing a lot of American kids are starting to do the same as Spanish kids, which is starting off on Honda NSRs and 80cc Metrakits. I went dirt tracking, because that is what everybody else was doing. Nicky Hayden is a real hero for me, and he did the same. I wish I could do a full season in dirt track, because I think I would do well. I did a race on a Harley 750 last year and was second going into the last lap. It was a lot of fun, but the older and more experienced guys got the better of me and I went back to sixth. But now I really want to do well in road racing, carry on from there and go to Europe.”

A Career Begins

Abroad

When PJ switched to road racing in 2006 it was a steep learning curve, but the novice was eager to absorb all he could. Things started to get really serious when he was invited by the MotoGP Academy to come over to Europe in 2007. Dani Pedrosa's mentor Alberto Puig dropped him off at the Academy. Though just 13 years old, PJ was thrilled by the opportunities offered to him.

GP debut

at 15

Two years after his introduction to the European scene PJ made his debut on a world level when he got a wild card ride for the Indianapolis GP. At 15 he was the youngest American on the grid. He finished outside the championship points. “MotoGP is definitely the most difficult series,” he says. “I think that with a little more time with the bike we could've had a better result at Indy. But I was pretty happy I could race in front of my home crowd.” Then, the Grand Prix first timer got an incredible opportunity: four-time world champion Jorge Martinez offered PJ a spot on the illustrious Aspar Team, the Spanish 125 championship team. “I did the last two races of 2008 for Aspar. They liked me, I liked the team, and I got a ride for the following year. It was hard again, but I got to learn the tracks. I tried to be patient with myself, aiming to get top five in the championship – which I did. My dad, my trainer Josh, and my best friend Shane came to my last two races. They were cheering for me and that was cool. I would love to do it again.”

Back on Home Ground

Return to the United States

After the 2009 season PJ decided to return to the United States. “Jorge is an awesome guy. I think he really liked me and he wanted me to stay, but I decided to go back to the States and go the 600 route. I saw a lot of guys going from 600 to 1000 Superbikes, so I wanted to get off the 125s. I also wanted to ride for Barry Gilsenan from Celtic Racing in the States. That was something I'd wanted to do since I was eleven years old. We did that for a full year in 2010 and I was pretty happy with that. I was eleventh in the championship. I knew it was going to be a learning year.”The transition back to the AMA tracks went quite smoothly, PJ says. He enjoys being back. "The atmosphere in the AMA paddock is quite good. That's the most important thing about racing: you just want to have fun and be friends with everybody.”

Taking It to

the Next Level

This year PJ went through some important changes. He signed a deal with REV'IT! USA and Celtic Racing, and decided to race a Ducati 848 Evo this year in the AMA SportBike class. Making the change from his Suzuki GSX-R600 in line four to the Ducati's roaring V2 went smoothly, thanks to his close work with legendary Ducati guru Eraldo Ferracci, whose Fast by Ferracci became a household name in racing all over the world over the last few decades. “Eraldo tells me a lot of stories about Doug Polen and Freddie Spencer, who he used to work with, about what they used to do. That helps me, too,” PJ says. “It took me a while to get used to the Ducati, but now I'm really liking it. The 848 Evo is an awesome bike and it fits my style well. Having Eraldo behind the bike definitely helps a lot. He gives me a lot of input on my mistakes, so I'm learning all the time. When I do something wrong he tells me what Doug and Freddie did, and they’re good examples. He is really focused on me right now. He's still got the racing itch, like he says himself.”

Future

of international racing

PJ is not put off by the prospect of hard work. His sights are set on a future of international racing. “I want to do well. I'm trying to push myself and mature. I want to get some race wins and get into the top three in the championship. If we do well this year, it would be great to do Superbikes next year, but we will have to put in some good results before we get that happening.”He’d like to return to where he began his career. “Obviously I'd love to come to Europe again someday. Moto2 is a crazy class. I mean, there's a lot of stuff going on and you can never predict who's going to be up front. There's a lot of talent in there, but I also like World Superbike.” PJ knows his focus must remain on the 2011 season before pursuing even higher goals. He is determined to make it work this year. “We're going to charge hard this year and get some wins. The Fast by Ferracci Ducati 848 Evo is going to be on the top of the box soon.”