The following is from PJ Jacobsen’s publicist…
The AMA Pro Racing Championship sets out this weekend at the historic Springfield Mile, and among it’s entries will be Moroney’s Harley-Davidson backed Patrick “PJ” Jacobsen.
The two day event will feature a TT race in which Jacobsen will run a Jim Moroney’s Honda machine and then on the mile, the classic XR750 paint scheme of teal, white and black branding Jacobsen’s long time sponsor Moroney’s 1-800 Fasthog.
“This is what I like the best, helping kids achieve success in the flat track sport and not necessarily chasing a championship. I have known PJ since birth and had been waiting for the chance to put him on a 750cc machine and watch the magic unfold. With a few breaks in his Road Racing schedule, I am proud to have him on our Dyno George/Rich Hanson prepared bikes for a few races this year. I am not worried at all in regards to his capabilities; he has been riding for years. I watched him in Middletown this week riding with (Kenny) Coolbeth, he did well”, notes Pat Moroney.
As a youth star, Jacobsen turned heads. He earned well over thirty national championships before turning to road racing. His journey continued his first year on asphalt with a few more titles. Wanting more, Jacobsen raced with a FIM license in the CEV Spanish Championship prior to his sixteenth birthday. Jacobsen then came back to the United States and currently runs a full AMA Pro Road Racing schedule with Celtic Racing.
Jacobsen will have a supportive team in place for the weekend event. Besides the Moroney’s fleet, Bob Weiss of Weiss Racing another sponsor of Jacobsen’s will serve as tuner. A healthy relationship between the two will be instrumental for PJ in the set up at the track on both bikes.
“Springfield here we come. Well, finally the day has come PJ on the Moroney’s XR-750 at Springfield and I get to turn the wrenches how cool is that?? I have had the pleasure of working with many others at Springfield, Nicky Hayden, Jake Zemke, Paul Morgan, Jake Johnson, Will Davis, Mike Hacker, Bryan Smith and now PJ. I have a feeling this will be the best time yet”, adds Bob Weiss
Other team support will include Mike Hacker. Hacker who has watched Jacobsen in awe throughout his career will guide Jacobsen as he seems fitting. Giving pointers and direction based on his extensive experience at Springfield will help Jacobsen enjoy the ride.
“It makes me feel old, knowing that PJ will be racing Springfield. It seemed not so long ago I raced with him on a PW50, he was three years old. I built a track at Moroney’s and we all would go and cut up laps. He could ride then and certainly can ride now. He is both mentally and physically talented. I think it is great for the sport right now as he has star power. He is an established professional making it back to the sport of flat track where he cut his teeth. It’s great knowing that he is not completely gone from the sport; I can’t wait to see him.” (Mike Hacker)
PJ trains actively on his flat track bikes and spends many laps with three time champion Kenny Coolbeth. This week both riders practiced together at Middletown in preparation for Springfield.
“It’s exciting and he looks great on a Harley-Davidson. He was right on pace. He is a great rider period-he can ride anything well,” adds Kenny Coolbeth.
Jacobsen brings support from his current sponsors to the event including: Celtic Racing, Orient Express, Shoei, Alpinestars, Precision Detailing, Pit Bull, She Loves Racing, Motion Pro, Weiss Racing, OGIO, Rowley Racing, ESJ, Chicken Hawk, Tagger, OVRP, Lounsbury Builders and Erectors, Irish Bike Magazine, Ktec, LeoVince, Cross Training, ABS, and MOTOREX,
The weekend starts Saturday with the TT; opening ceremonies commence at 7pm. The mile on Sunday at 1pm.
