PJ Jacobsen: GNC to BSB

The young, former GNC racer has signed up to race Superbikes for one of Britain's best race teams. I bumped into PJ at Brands Hatch, the last round of the BSB season, when I was there to interview Tyco Superbike rider Alastair Seeley for MCN Sport. I saw the name on the screen of the bike in the Suzuki and thought, looks familiar. I cornered him after practice to confirm if he was the flat tracker.

PJ has raced in GP 125s, then came to Britain and got some great results, wins and podiums in British Superstock (1000s, but on treaded tyres, much less tuning than a Superbike, stock electrics, stock fork externals, stock wheels) and Supersport 600 (firebreathing, mega-expensive middleweights). All on tracks he's never even seen before.

His results secured him a ride on the full Superbike with the Northern Ireland-based TAS Suzuki team (sponsored by Tyco). He'll be teammates with Josh Brookes, second in BSB this year, and Guy Martin (who only does the roads, not the short circuits). PJ will be short circuit only.

This could be a great springboard for the rider. Lots of top riders have cut their teeth in BSB, including world champions Bayliss, Toseland, Crutchlow, Hodgson...

I reckon he'll be top six next year.

We'll be doing what we can to get PJ racing short track too. 

Oh, and he has a New York Mets Cheerleader girlfriend. I wonder what she'll think of Northern Ireland in April... G

Paddock snaps by me, dirt track action, PJ at Calistoga, by PoppaWheelie