Jeff was not officially on the MotoConcepts team, but he started the year on one of MotoConcepts’ older bikes. Photo by: Hopenworld

These “Privateer Showcase” interviews presented by Race Tech Suspension at MotoXAddicts tell the stories of the guys in the trenches week in and week out just trying to chase their dream of racing professional Motocross and Supercross. While the riders at the front of the pack get the money, the T.V. time and the glory that goes with it, there’s a huge pack of kids just hoping to become regulars in the big show. We will talk to them and get their stories about trying to break through to that next level with little or no help.

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This week’s “Privateer Showcase” interview is with a privateer that has been on factory teams, privateer teams and everything in between. The K1 Speed, BWR Engines, SSi Decals, Race Tech backed Jeff Alessi came onto the scene under the shadow of his brother Mike, but has carved out his own path in many ways. Unfortunately, a wacky laser incident at the 2013 Washougal National left Jeff suspended from competition for a while, but the #801 loaded up one of his brother’s leftover MotoConcepts Suzuki’s in 2016 and went racing.

It took Jeff a few rounds to find his way into a 450SX main event in ’16, but so far he’s made two of them on the season. Jeff was racing on his own dime, but after making the main event at the San Diego 2 Supercross the K1 Speed, BWR Engines, SSi Decals, Race Tech team put the #801 on one of their Hondas. In Jeff’s first appearance on the new bike in Arlington, he missed the main event by one spot in the LCQ, but we expect to see Jeff making more main events as the series moves forward.

After the Arlington SX, we caught up to Jeff to ask him about his return to racing in 2016 and his new team.

Jeff, you had a little bit of a tough night—not making the main event with a fifth in the LCQ—and you’re on a new team this week. You adapted pretty well, but talk about your night.

I had been riding pretty good all night. In the heat races, I kind of came from the back, worked my way up to the faster guys, and they were going pretty fast. When it came down to the LCQ, there was a couple of fast guys in it. There were a couple guys that have been putting themselves in the front of LCQs like me. I came out and had to get aggressive in the first corner, for sure. I came out alright for the second corner running about fifth, passed two guys in the third corner, but right after I passed those guys, I left the door open a little bit and got slammed pretty hard.


Jeff will finish up the Supercross season on a K1 Speed, BWR Engines, SSi Decals, Race Tech backed  Honda 450. Photo by: Chase Yocom
Jeff will finish up the Supercross season on a K1 Speed, BWR Engines, SSi Decals, Race Tech backed Honda 450. Photo by: Chase Yocom

Was that slam from Devin Raper?

Yeah, but Raper was going for it in any situation. I kind of felt like I put the guy behind me away, but I thought if he was thinking the same way as me he wouldn’t hit me.

 

You guys were both in qualifying spots, so it seemed like a weird time to make one of those passes.

I mean, it’s cool. It’s the LCQ, he’s going for it, and he doesn’t want to be put in the fourth spot—that’s the hot seat. I felt like I rode good for just getting on that bike this week.

 

How much seat time were you able to get this week getting acclimated to the new bike?

I kind of hurt my foot at San Diego, so I wasn’t actually able to put a whole lot of time on the new bike. I went out and rode maybe ten laps to see how it was. I had to kind of take it easy this week on my foot. Like I said, I put ten laps on it, and I thought it was great. I rode the 2013 [Honda] a little bit for practice a couple months ago when I was riding MotoConcepts bikes, so I knew it was good. The new 2015-’16s are really good too, but they’re quite a bit different. They feel quite a bit lighter in my opinion. That bike’s good, though, and a good platform.

 

Do you still pretty much have the same suspension? I know you’re still running the Race Tech stuff.

It’s kind of funny, because the bike I was riding was a 2012 and it’s on it’s way out—this is the last year you can legally ride the 2012. Now I’m on a 2013, and I think next weekend I’ll be on a newer ’14. It’s a Honda and the bikes are pretty similar.

 

I know you have Brian White over there, and he is a great suspension and engine builder as well as your team manger, I think. He’s kind of the guy that does everything. How was the motor in comparison to your privateer Suzuki’s?

First off, the team is really good. I get on well with these guys and have known them for a year now. Last year I wanted to be on the team, but they went with someone else. This year, being able to race a 450 where I belong, I feel good. The team helps me out with a mechanic, and it went good. Everyone was doing their job and having fun.

With no real pressure for results, Jeff has taken the have fun approach to his comeback. Photo by: Chase Yocom
With no real pressure for results, Jeff has taken the have fun approach to his comeback. Photo by: Chase Yocom

Having fun is what it’s supposed to be all about, right? (laughs)

That’s my M.O. this year.

 

When you’re having fun, some tend to ride better.

Honestly, I can tell you right now there’s no pressure on me. I just go out there every time, do the same thing and do the best I can. It’s like training until I can get up to the front. I think I can still do it, for sure.

 

You’re still young and had a couple of years off. How does it feel to just be back on the line racing? Racing dirt bikes is one of those things that never leaves who you are. Did being away from it light the fire back in you?

Any time I have a chance at doing good, I feel like I can put down the laps, at least for four to six laps. Hopefully, eventually I can get to the main out of the semi. This year I think the progression for me has been crazy—starting out 26th at my first race to not being a factor to making the mains. I just want to do as many laps as I can while I’m racing and do the best I can while staying out of the fast guys’ ways. A lot of guys in my position—maybe 13th on back—have to deal with those guys coming up on us at some point.

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Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.