New York native P.J. Jacobsen has signed a contract to ride for the Tyco Suzuki team in the 2013 British Superbike Championship, putting another American face in the UK series after former MotoGP/WSBK star John Hopkins came within half a wheel of winning the title in 2011. A former AMA Youth Dirt Track Rider of the Year and AMA Pro Road Racing competitor, Jacobsen impressed the Tyco Suzuki team with some spectacular rides in the handful of fill-in BSB races he ran (on both the team’s Supersport and Superstock bikes), including numerous podium finishes and winning the Superstock race at Donington Park by making the pass at the finish line while off in the grass. Jacobsen will ride the Superbike class and be teamed with veteran Australian Josh Brookes, who finished second in this year’s BSB championship.
"It's great to finally sign the deal to ride for Tyco Suzuki,” said Jacobsen, “and I'd like to thank team boss Philip Neill and Phil Dashey from Tyco for their support. The team stood by me this season and gave me an opportunity in British Superstock and Supersport and put my career on the map. I just can't wait to get out there now and test the Superbike, and I know my experienced Australian teammate Josh Brookes will help me a lot. I like his determination and attitude to racing and already knowing the Tyco Suzuki guys is also a big help." Jacobsen will be setting up a residence in Northern Ireland in order to have a close home base when the 2013 BSB series starts up in April.
Tyco Suzuki team Manager Philip Neill was intent on signing Jacobsen after the American’s impressive cameo rides for the team. "After agreeing terms with Josh (Brookes) during September it feels like it has taken a long time to finalize our British Superbike lineup. However, now that it's done, I am really looking forward to next season with a very exciting line up. PJ has been groomed as a motorcycle racer from a very young age and his unique all-American style, of enjoying a bike sliding underneath him, will be a major factor in his future success in the Superbike category.
"As we have done with many of our riders, we will now start to put everything in place to create the correct environment for both PJ and his girlfriend Danielle, so they can be as comfortable as possible during their stay with us in Northern Ireland for 2013.
"With time spent riding our GSX-R1000 Superstock bike this year, we have secured some valuable information, so our technicians have already started fitting PJ around a GSX-R1000 Superbike, ready for his first test opportunity early next year. This really is the overall package we wanted, with Josh being a proven championship contender with years of experience and PJ being the young up and coming star. I have no doubt that the support of the Tyco Suzuki team and indeed Josh Brookes will be a significant factor in the eventual rise to the very top for this young man."