FXR Racing Presents MXP Chatter with Jess Pettis

This past weekend, the first two rounds of the BC Future Arenacross series took place in Armstrong, BC. I had a chance to catch up to the rider that dominated the weekend with four wins. Jesse Pettis, on his MX101 Yamaha 250F, pretty well won every final he entered except for the Dash for Cash. We checked in to see how the racing is going and what his plans are after the series is over. Jesse had his best season to date racing for the Yamaha MX101 MX2 team, which is based in Ottawa, Ontario. He finished a solid 5th and missed out on a 4th overall by only 5 points in the CMRC’s Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals. 

MXP – Wow, quite the start to the series Jesse?

JP: Yes, it was a good one for sure. If the rest of the series goes this way I will be really happy! I had a really good first night on Friday, winning both classes. Saturday I basically did the same thing and it paid off.

Last year you rode well at the AX events, but this year it seems like you have really improved?

I had a really good summer racing the CMRC National rounds, which gave me lots of confidence coming into this program. I feel I am getting stronger and I am setting up the bike way better for the event.

Have you been testing or riding AX much the past few weeks?

Funny story: we built a track in Prince George but it started raining and the weather sucked, so I headed to Kamloops to my secret AX test track and I have been putting in the laps. The guys at MX101 built me a really good bike with a fast engine. Joe Skidd set up the suspension and the whole package works really good.

You really need to be aggressive in those tight AX tracks?

I only had to bump a little in one final; it pays off when you get holeshot (lol). There are some fast riders competing in the series. Ross Johnson and Shawn Maffenbeier have raced this series before and they are fast. You have Davey Fraser who has raced supercross before as well. The lap times are so close that you really need to get the start and stay out of trouble.

The dirt looked tacky and the jumps were safe. How about the start area? 

Yes, the track builders did a good job on the track. The starting gate is outside of the arena; it’s a tricky start. You need to get a good jump as the start straight is pretty short.  They need to build it for all levels of riders. It was super tight, you had to make sure you made no mistakes.

Were lappers a problem?

By lap 3 we were already starting to lap. Some riders moved over while others don’t. When the lap times are just under 35 seconds you are going to start lapping pretty fast.

Are you heading to Penticton this weekend and continue doing the whole series? 

Yes, I want to do all of them, it’s a really good way to stay sharp. The Canadian AX series and the BC series are working together this weekend, I’m sure we will see a few new faces. The payout is good, I need the cash so I can head down south and race and train this winter.

Do you plan to race some supercross events in 2017? 

I really want to race some SX events in the west. I looked at the two series and it makes way more sense to race the west than the east because of the cost to travel. To do it right you need a few things: solid engine package, suspension and a good test track. I have all of that, now I just have to put the plan in action and make it happen. I have lots of good sponsors, which will help.

We have seen other riders compete in the full series and then compete in Canada, which I think is a good move? 

I agree. If you are racing throughout the winter it can only help with your confidence and improve your speed too. If I can train and ride with faster riders, it’s only going to help me in the long run.

Good luck this weekend and the rest of the series?

Thanks. I would like to thank the MX101 team for supporting me this Fall, plus Yamaha, FXR , 6D, 100%, Rockstar, Forma, FMF and my parents.