PJ Jacobsen and MWT Racing take 1st and 3rd at NJ Mini GP Charity event at NJMP
This past Saturday, Nov 7th, PJ Jacobsen joined MWT Racing at NJMP in Millville, NJ to take part in a 4 hour endurance road race aboard “mini” bikes (NSR 50/100s, KX/KTM 65s, hopped up KLX110, CRF50s, XR 100s, CRF150fs, etc.) all in an effort to raise money for Tommy Hare and his family in their fight against Neuroblastoma, which is a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system — a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body. Each year there are about 700 new cases in the United States. It is usually found in young children, and is the most common cancer among infants. These solid tumors — which take the form of a lump or mass — may begin in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or, most commonly, in the adrenal gland. They may also spread to other areas of the body, including bone and bone marrow.
15 four-person teams signed up for the event. PJ rode as part of MWT Racing’s # 56 team and they completed 290 laps, winning by 8 laps. MWT Racing’s # 54 team took 3rd with 279 laps running out of gas with 3 laps remaining costing them 2nd place!
MWT Racing would like to thank NJMiniGP.com, Howie Cawley (also a rider on the winning # 56 team) of Mavrix Honda, Middletown NY, Ross Manning and Tom Bellusci of Pompton Honda/Suzuki, Pompton Plains NJ, RAD Mfg for the wheels, ProGraph-X, Wille Adams (bike donor and rider on the winning # 56 team), Larry Karpinsky of NJ Iron, and Rich Cronrath of Innovative Motorcycle Research, Pirelli’s Northeast Distributor for the awesome tires and tent he provided for the team”¦incredible grip and durability throughout the 4 hour event!
As the Team Principal I would really like to thank PJ Jacobsen for taking time out of his busy schedule to come ride with us this past weekend, not only was watching his riding a site in itself for everyone in attendance, but more importantly, watching how great he was with all the people especially the young kids, some who had no idea who he was until their parents explained it to them and thereafter were glued to his every move! He is indeed a great example of a respectful, well raised young man who does not take his gift for granted. He will go far in this sport with his talent and attitude! Again, thank you to the Jacobsen family.
The event was a great success! No injuries (except for very sore older guys), great people, great weather, live band, slide and bounce rooms for the kids”¦and most important they ended up raising $4000 for the Hare family, far exceeding the organizers expectations.
I would like the Hare family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them, especially this week as Tommy is scheduled for surgery-we pray for success and a speedy recovery. God bless.
Dennis Espinosa
MWT Racing
Vernon, New Jersey
More, from a press release issued by PJ Jacobsen’s publicist:
Jacobsen Pegs the Fun Meter for a Good Cause
November 8, 2009–PJ Jacobsen added some fun time amidst his training for the next Spanish championship series race scheduled for November 15th.
An invitation from Dennis Espinosa to race at the New Jersey Motorsports Park for an endurance four hour feature “Teaming up for Tommy”, Jacobsen nodded at the opportunity to help a young boy diagnosed with cancer. Family friend of Jacobsen’s, Willie Adams had a race ready Honda CRF 150 available for the team to utilize for said event.
Under Espinosa’s direction, two teams were formed. Team A “Men with Toys 56” featured Davey Hudson, Howie Cawley, Willie Adams and PJ Jacobsen. Espinosa opted to ride for Team B “MWT 54”. The race format included two hours rounding out the track going in the left direction and then two hours in the opposite, riding the 150cc machines in a supermotard style race.
Teaming up for Tommy had been the sole reason for this event. The track coach’s nephew had been recently diagnosed with neuroblastoma a rare form of cancer attacking infants and children. The New Jersey Mini GP Club (Njminigp.com) added this special day within their six race series. Riders and teams raced against each other for fun with the end result raising money to help fight the battle against this horrible disease.
“When Dennis called and told me about this benefit, I wanted to help. Racing this was not only fun for me but allowed me to help someone in need. I wanted to add something fun before heading back over to Spain, and this certainly hit the spot. I would say that this race pegged the fun meter for me. The team worked well together and shared a lot of laughs. We did end up winning the race with 290 laps completed and I hope that Tommy wins his also”, notes Jacobsen.
Jacobsen who is also known in the AMA Racing platform under the sport of flat track racing, felt right at home combining this with his road race skills at the New Jersey track. The team finishes on top over a dozen other teams.
“It was very special that PJ took the time to come and support this local event. I met him a few years ago in Canada at a track day and thought then that he was going places. When I put together this benefit race, I knew PJ would be home from Spain and I also knew I had better find a competitive bike. He agreed to come. The kids at the race loved him being there, he signed a lot of autographs and made the day even more spectacular,” adds Espinosa who finished 3rd despite running out of gas.