RAHAL DUCATI MOTO ANNOUNCES ALL-AMERICAN RIDER LINE-UP FOR 2024
PJ Jacobsen and Kayla Yaakov to pilot the No. 15 and No. 19 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2s
ZIONSVILLE, Ind., (11.10.2023) – The much-anticipated rider line up at Rahal Ducati Moto has been finalized because the crew welcomes five-time race winner PJ Jacobsen and up-and-comer Kayla Yaakov to the group. Jacobsen will pilot the No. 15 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2 within the MotoAmerica Supersport class, alongside Yaakov on the No. 19 XPEL Ducati Panigale V2.
“We’re extremely thrilled with the rider line up we’ve secured for our inaugural MotoAmerica season,” stated crew proprietor Graham Rahal. “PJ [Jacobsen] has proven unimaginable expertise in his Supersport and Superbike profession. We’re grateful he was keen to deliver his expertise to our crew to assist set the bar as we (try to) contend for a championship (in our maiden/inaugural season). Kayla [Yaakov] is a younger, proficient rider and we’re excited for her to showcase her potential throughout her rookie Supersport season. She can have each PJ and Ben [Spies] to look to for steerage and expertise as she grows in her younger profession.
“We’ve a whole lot of work to do within the subsequent few months as a brand new crew to organize, so we’re desperate to get the riders to the observe to check with their new mechanics and on their new machines. We’ve excessive expectations going into the season and I really imagine we put collectively a line as much as obtain and exceed the requirements we’ve set for ourselves.”
PJ Jacobsen boasts a embellished Grand Prix resume having competed in a number of racing sequence across the globe, together with the World Superbike Championship and World Supersport Championship. Amongst his accomplishments are incomes the vice-champion title within the World Supersport Championship, securing a second-place end within the Suzuka 8 Hour in 2018 and claiming second within the championship standings within the MotoAmerica Supersport class in 2019. Most just lately, Jacobsen discovered a house within the MotoAmerica Superbike division the place he completed third within the 2023 season championship. Jacobsen’s expertise on the observe will elevate the competitiveness the Rahal Ducati Moto crew will herald its 2024 debut season.
“I’m actually trying ahead to being part of the Rahal Ducati Moto racing crew,” stated Jacobsen. “It’s nice to be part of this racing household and I believe it’s superb for my future to be with this wonderful group of individuals. Having Ben Spies again goes to be completely superior to assist with driving and the mechanics and technique of the motorbike racing. Once I heard about the potential of [Rahal Ducati Moto] coming to the paddock, my eyes lit up as a result of they run such knowledgeable crew in automotive racing, and they’ll even have a terrific, skilled crew in motorbike racing. It’s nice for our sport to have folks like this concerned, and once more, I’m very honored to get the decision from them to be one of many riders to struggle for wins and a championship. I’m tremendous excited to get testing began and actually, actually motivated for the 2024 season – particularly after having such a powerful Superbike season in 2023. I really feel very match and in top-form in my profession proper now, and able to struggle for the highest honors. Thanks to Graham and the folks that really imagine in me. I’m actually trying ahead to a terrific 2024 season!”
From an early age Kayla Yaakov had the drive to race. She began racing bikes on the younger age of 4 and climbed her means via the ranks. In 2022, Yaakov grew to become the primary feminine to win a MotoAmerica race (Ridge Motorsports Park, Spherical 2), which was highlighted in her third-place end within the Junior Cup Championship that yr. After that first win, Yaakov discovered herself standing on the highest step of the rostrum three further instances for a complete of 4 wins and 11 collective podiums for the season. In 2023, the 16-year-old discovered herself within the Twins Cup Championship, ending seventh within the championship, regardless of lacking the primary 4 races on account of a pre-season damage. Yaakov, an inspiration for females aspiring to interrupt right into a male-dominated business, will tackle her debut MotoAmerica Supersport season for the crew in 2024.
“I’m extraordinarily excited to be becoming a member of the Rahal Ducati Moto crew for the 2024 MotoAmerica Supersport season,” stated Yaakov. “Being part of a crew with such an iconic backing is a privilege, not solely with some of the prolific motorbike manufacturers on this planet, but in addition with the Rahal household. Additionally, having a world champion like Ben Spies in our nook is such an honor. After speaking to him for a number of years, coming collectively on this crew goes to be large for my development on this sport! Though it’s a brand new crew that comes with a whole lot of stress, I’m extraordinarily assured within the talents of the crew and myself for this 2024 season. I can’t wait to get rolling with this wonderful crew and am grateful to everybody that has made this doable. I’ll see you on the excessive banks of Daytona!”
The duo will start testing their new horses early subsequent yr in preparation for the 2024 season. The MotoAmerica Supersport division will start competitors on the Daytona 200 (a non-points race) March 7-9 adopted by the common season factors races at Michelin Raceway Street Atlanta (April 19-21), Barber Motorsports Park (Might 17-19), Street America (Might 31-June 2), Brainerd Worldwide Raceway (June 14-16), Ridge Motorsports Park (June 28-30), WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (July 12-14), Mid-Ohio Sports activities Automobile Course (August 16-18), Circuit of the Americas (September 13-15) and New Jersey Motorsports Park (September 27-29).
For extra details about the sequence or crew, go to www.motoamerica.com and www.rahalducati.com.
The publish MotoAmerica: Jacobsen, Yaakov Using For Rahal Ducati Moto appeared first on Roadracing World Journal | Bike Using, Racing & Tech Information.
