http://www.racerxonline.com/article/jacob-saylor-mxsx-private-testing-facility.aspx

Réveillé
Current mood: cultured

The great thing about traveling is regulating your imagination into reality.  Seeing things for what they really are.  I had my Americanist view of Europe, but to actually be blessed with the opportunity to see the world, is something i'm thankful for.  The chance to broaden the horizons and engage in an ancient discourse and learning. It's not so much you are going to a foreign land,  but rather it is you who are foreign. 
 

I often left my trips open for discovery.  The 15 countries I visited, I rarely consulted a map.  It was always an adventure not exactly knowing where you are going.  I find that feeling rather pleasant, compared to the monotamous routine you encounter when being in one place for long periods of time.   
 

"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.  I travel for travel's sake.  The great affair is to move"  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

It was hard not to label my self as a tourist.  Often blamed as being one.  I had to remind myself I was here for a job.   Being on a dirtbike is the most comfortable place I find myself.  At least I thought that before I arrived here.  The unfamiliar tracks I visited where the most alien of all places to me.  The disection of each, were often met with such massive humbling experiences.   Simply put, it was the hardest challenge I have faced as a rider.   The legendary sand tracks put to shame anything I have contested before.  The many months in Florida riding places like Croom and Dade City could hardly prepare you for bottomless sands of Lommel or Leirop. 

The diversity of European cultures is easily comparable to the World GP.  Each track relfected its hosting country and had something unique about it.  For myself, going to a Spanish or French track ment nothing to me.  It was something I would look forward to finding out.  
 

The FIM World GP is an event full of class and regard among the riders and promoters.   To be named World Champion of a sport is something that any athlete would dream of being.  The talent I imagined I would be racing soon became reality.  I got a literal crash course in motocross "101".   I found myself struggling many times in attempts to full fill my potential, and own personal ego was deflated by being passed by riders I had honestly had no clue about.  That followed shortly with a new found respect and names I would be remembering all season.  It was impossible to revert my mental strength back to my amateur days when I was a cocky son of a bitch and nobody else mattered.  After my first race in Valkenswaard, I knew it was going to be one long season.
 

Besides the roller coaster racing season, I had the opportunity to visit many captivating places you've only seen in pictures or movies.  These material expressions of the real thing do no justice.  Visiting the vibrant coast of Portugal or hiking through the Alps to witness century old castles, is something that I'll for sure remember.  Driving through Bulgaria or Romania, you can feel your heart getting heavy.  You find yourself thankful for being born with freedoms and luxuries these kids playing in poverty and dirt will never have. The petty problems you have feel very miniscule.
 

"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted"  ~Martin Luther King Jr
 

Admist my traveling & seeking soul, home is where my heart is and I miss it very much.  My family and friends all redefined and put into perspective.  I couldn't have made it this far without the support of those closest to me.  Not to mention those behind the scenes.  I've accomplished some goals and learned from many failures. That in itself is a success. I earned points in the hardest motocross series on the planet and made a decent living doing so.
 

My journey this summer has changed my focus on my identity to my integrity. Something I think all people should focus on.  It's not my name, where i'm from, or what I look like,  it's what I stand for.  Even if I don't quite grasp it completely, I'm réveillé (awaken) to the fact that I should be.
 

season.

I`m racing the Canadian Nationals this summer and the first round started off great.  I podiumed the first moto after a great battle with ERic Sorby and Michael Willard.   Then the rain came.  It seems to do that a lot up here!  It was survival out there and I was running 2nd till i crashed. I tied for 2nd in points and looking forward to the next round at Gopher Dunes!   

Special thanks to Simon Homans Racing.  Wouldnt be possible without you guys! Thanks so much for the oppertunity.

Jacob Saylor

My  AMA National Number earned for 2007 is  #70.  I HAVE ELECTED TO KEEP MY OLD #198 TO BE BETTER RECONIZED BY MY FANS AND SPONSORS

I am excited to be taking my career to the Next Level with MDK MOTORSPORTS for the 2006 Toyota AMA Outdoor Motocross Nationals. Along with MDK I would like to thank: AMERICAN HONDA, MOTOSPORT.com, FMF, SCOTT USA, FLY RACING, GAERNE, CTI2 and especally Mark Kvamme and Danny Paladino for believing in me.

This is a dream come true. That`s what went through my head when I was standing on the podium at my first FIM International Supercross. With the likes of Vuillemen, Tortelli, Brown, Sorby, Boniface, Chisholm, and Pourcel, I earned this hard fought 3rd place. With a bone stock bike I had a major challenge from the get-go. I got my bike dialed the best I could and as the old saying goes "It Is What it Is" In the SuperFinal I jumped out to a descent start about 5th or 6th. I found a huge opening and took it. I landed into 3rd on the opening laps and made a pass for 2nd. David Vuillemen had checked out early. I was riding a mistake free race but I broke rule #1. Dont look back! I saw Tortelli gaining on me slightly and started to tighten up. I held him off until about 3 laps to go. He made a clean pass and I finally took a deep breath and tried to relax. I knew If I held on the podium was mine. When I saw the checkers I came around the corner with the biggest smile on my face. I pumped my fist in the air and threw my goggles into the crowd. I did a victory lap with Vuillemen and Tortelli and rode up onto the podium. It was a dream come true for me. Standing in the spotlight I tried to hold back the tears. All the hardwork and sacrifices my family made finally paid off. -------- First and foremost this would of not been possible without Dave Kimmey. He took me under his wing and guided me through Switzerland. It was great to reward him with a great performance. I know he was just as happy as me. I want to thank Gary Chisholm. If I ever needed any bike help I could call on him. Thanks to Jeff Kardas for being supportive and taking some fancy pictures. A very personal thank you goes out to Eric Peronnaud, Daniel Perroud and DPO Events. Thank you for inviting me, it was an honor. Thank you Kevin Maret and Tamer Motorsports. What a great way to start the season!

Update coming soon!

When I decided to race the Eastern 4/Stroke National Series I was unprepared. The first round began at the Virgina MotorSports Park and I showed up expecting to win, as everyone should at any race. David Caldwell(FencePros) and Scott Toliver from Knoxville loaned me their bikes to begin the series. I basicly got my wakeup call from Broc Tickle and quickly saw I had to change something and fast. The bottom line is if these friends had not loaned me their bikes and I missed the first round, I could not have won the Championship. A phone call to Ricky Patterson at FreeWheeling Honda was the beginning of a new relationship that led to the Championship and along the way I made new friends that share my interests and have become committed in helping further my professional racing career. These new relationships have helped to open new doors and everything is looking good for the 06 season. Everyone needs industry sponsorship like the Big 4 (now known as the Big 5) but they don`t care who wins, just so its their bikes. What happens after your career is over? My point is, in order to be a success you have to surround yourself with mixture of successful people that care about you now, as well as the future. People that truly care are silent and set back and watch never asking for anything in return. These people are rewarded by your success and pull you thru hard times. I want to express my deepest gratitude at this time to my Mom and Dad, Mike White, Jamie McCoy, Dustin Gills and family, Jody Olson, Allen DeNyse, Ricky Patterson, Shae Bentley, David Kimmey, Kevin Cozzad, Laura Talent, Tony Morris, Jeff Chambers, Jim Brannon, Larry Dukes, Bob & Bonnie Romines, Steve Litz and those whom I didn`t mention would rather remain silent. I am making the Atlanta area my base of operation and look forward to making new friends in the coming season and hope I can be a "HomeTown Boy" when the Atlanta SuperCross comes to town! Check jacobsaylor.com and click "NEWS" for weekly updates.

Sincerely,
Jacob Saylor