Photos by: CJ Zimmerman – Words by: Dan Lamb
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 trying to chase their dream of racing professional Motocross. 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 guys 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 a 23-year-old college student from Utica, Michigan named Jarett Pesci. While the factory boys are pounding out laps at training facilities during the week, Jarett is focused on life after racing and is in college going for a physical therapy degree, but that doesn’t stop the #904 Yamaha from lining up with the forty fastest 250 riders in the nation on the weekends.
Jarett showed up at the 2016 RedBud National—his first national of 2016—and transferred directly to the show in 28th overall with the fastest qualifying time out of the final 250MX B session. In the motos, Jarett went 35-27 for 31st overall, and while those results may not look like setting the world on fire results, for a guy in college full time racing against some of the best riders in the world, it’s more than enough to pack up the truck with a smile. There’s no doubt he battles near the front of the pro class at his local races, but racing the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is sometimes more about life goals and life experiences than it is about results
After Jarett’s motos were in the books, MotoXAddicts’ Chase Yocom caught up with him to talk about his RedBud National, privateer life and his future racing plans.
Jarett, I think you went 35-27 today for 31st on the day. How was it out there for you?
The track was awesome as always. In the morning, I was first practice, so it started out a little muddy. In the second practice, I cranked it up and turned the fastest lap time [in the 250 B group], and that got me straight into the program. I think I qualified 28th overall. That was really good and got me straight into the motos without having to go to the LCQ [Consolation Race].
Was this your first National of the year, or did you do any before this?
Nope, this is the first one I’ve done this year. I hope to hit a couple of the Canadian ones, then Ironman [Indiana National] and hopefully a couple more of the AMA Nationals too.
That has to feel good. You come out at your first National of the year, set the fastest lap in the B group and get right into the show. What was working for you out there today?
Yeah, I’ve been around this track a few times while I was an amateur and stuff like that, so I had it pretty figured out. The lines were changing up a little bit, so I made a couple of adjustments for that second practice and got a clean lap in.
You finished 35th in moto one, but moved up to 27th in moto two. Was there anything you did between motos that made the difference?
In the first moto, I struggled to get comfortable out there. I was kind of floating around in the back of the pack, had a tip over up top and couldn’t get the bike started—I had to bump start it. That kind of drained me a little. So I just kind of tried to figure out lines and what I needed to do to the bike for the second moto. I made a couple of adjustments suspension wise, and that helped out a lot for me to be able to push in the second moto.
What was it like for you today not having the gate drops or the National race experience coming in?
Those top guys are on another level, but I do my best to try to stick in there with them and learn as much as I can. I try to follow them when they’re lapping me and that helped me pick off a couple of other guys at the end of the race too, just picking up on some of the lines as the moto got longer and longer.
In these “Privateer Showcase” interviews, we try to give the readers a glimpse into the privateer life. What’s privateer life like for you?
Oh, it’s fun. Me and my dad have been doing this for a long time. It’s just a family thing for us, and we have fun doing it. Making the program and stuff like that is just a big bonus and pretty much a dream come through since I was a little kid.
What got the family into racing motocross? Did your dad race too?
My dad rode a little bit, but then we had some family friends when I was real young. I got my first bike when I was two and just rode around with some friends. I kind of picked up from there.
What’s the travel schedule like for you being a privateer?
It’s pretty crazy. This weekend at RedBud was pretty close for us—about three hours—but if you’re traveling, the next weekend would be Southwick, and it’s about 12-13 hours away for me. I think I’m going to head up to Canada and do Gopher Dunes National next weekend.
Are you going to drive all the way up to Canada or will you be flying in?
No, we’ll be driving. That one’s not too bad as well. It’s probably three hours away. We try to hit the more local ones to save on gas money and stuff like that.
You guys getting any help this year? Who’s helping you get to the races?
My mom and dad, for sure. My brother Kyle at Killer Customz, Magic Racing, Championship Powersports, Scott, FOX, SIDI Boots, Shoei Helmets, Leatt Brace, Adidas, Sikk Shades, Novic Gloves,American Kargo, Factory Connections and Bentley Graphics, and I gotta give a big thanks to Lonnie from Championship Powersports for helping me out with my bike and stuff like that.
