Photo by: Hoppenworld
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.
This week’s “Privateer Showcase” interview is with RSR / Star Cycle / Honda’s Jesse Wentland, who recorded a career-best eighth in Daytona. The third year professional from Elk River, Minnesota started off the 2016 Eastern Regional 250SX Championship rough with a twentieth in Atlanta, but he responded to that disappointment with an eye opening ride in Daytona.
After his eighth place in Daytona, Chase Yocom tracked Jesse down to meet the #64 for the first time and to ask him about his surprising speed and top ten finish in Daytona, as well as what his privateer program is like.
Jesse, was your eight in the main event tonight your best career finish so far?
Yeah, it was. I’m doing really good this year and my program’s been really good with the RSR / Star Cycle / Honda team. Hats off to the whole team for coming together for me—Rick Schugel and my mechanic, Sean Robertson. I’m happy with how the season started out.
You were fast all day. I think you were top ten in qualifying as well. You scored me a ton of points on my Fantasy SX team—I picked you—so I appreciate that. Can you take us through your day?
It started good right away in the first untimed practice and I stepped my times up in every practice. Me and my trainer, Dylan Turner, have been working hard during the week. I’m working on getting fast times and putting two or three laps together in practice, and it paid off this week. The week before I was twelfth and I stepped it up to eighth this week in practice.
That definitely helps out with that gate picks, that’s for sure. (laughs)
Yeah, that’s for sure. It definitely helped because the start this weekend. You had to start from the inside in order to get right up there. Even if I got a bad jump, I could sneak through the inside.
Can you take us through your main event. Man, it got gnarly out there tonight, and it was a tough track to pass on too.
You definitely needed to get a start right away. You know, those first few guys broke away so quick. It seemed like everyone gapped out really quick, but I was able to get into the top ten right off the start. I was able to see that pace [the leaders’ pace], and it was fast. It was tough to stay up there, but I’ve been working hard and looking forward to the rest of the season.
Once you get up there and see the leaders’ pace, it helps out. Do you now feel like, going into the next rounds, that’s going to make a difference?
Yeah, I think it’s about learning that pace and what it takes to run up there. We’re going to working hard the rest of this season and hopefully get up into that top ten.
Talk a little about your program this year and the life of a Supercross privateer. How was the trip down here? Did you drive down here, and where are you training at during the week?
I actually live in Tallahassee [Florida] so both Atlanta and here were a short drive for us. We drove about three or four hours. I have it pretty good with the team I’m on; they’re able to fly me out to the rest of the rounds. There won’t be any driving for me, but for Sean there will be a lot of driving. (laughs)
You’re not looking to be the co-pilot or anything like that? (laughs)
No!
[Sean laughing in the background] I think he might have something else to say. (laughs)
I mean, I would drive with him maybe to a couple of rounds, but it’s nice flying too. I can’t complain.
There are a lot of great spots to ride around Florida, but where are you riding at during the week>?
All around northern Florida or southern Georgia. MTF [Millsaps Training Facility], GPF [Georgia Practice Facility], Climax, Zach Bell’s place—they all have prepped SX tracks so we’re fortunate enough to be able to train there. On Fridays, MTF let’s us come in. Colleen [Millsaps] has been really nice and helping us out at her personal track at her house. It’s been a good program this year.
Nice to finally meet you, Jesse. Congrats on the career-best finish tonight. Enjoy it.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
