Interview with Motosport Xtreme Team Green rider PJ Larsen

Q: Getting to race a motocross national is huge! How were you feeling when you pulled up to your first pro race?
PJ: To tell you the truth I don’t really remember. I say that I wasn’t nervous, but I know I had to be. You just don’t really know what to expect, which adds to the nerves. But having the semi there and the same people really helped me get settled into the familiar surroundings that I had been around all year in the amateurs.

Q: Do you think that being on the Motosport Xtreme Team Green program helped you make a more seamless transition into your first few races as a professional?
PJ: I really do think it made a difference. We have already been in the team atmosphere and pitting out of a semi so it has always felt like a professional team. A lot of amateur racing is done on an individual level and this team brings you out of that so you’re ready to make the transition when the time comes. You get used to being a team.

Q: How were your nerves on the line at your first moto in the pros compared that of your last year in the amateurs?
PJ: Well I would always have some nerves when I was on the starting line in the amateurs. Especially at Ponca City and Loretta Lynn’s there was a lot if emphasis on us as a team and there was definitely pressure to do well. Although they weren’t the same type of nerves, it all works the same for me.

Q: Was there a difference in emotion or feeling on the line of your first moto at Millville versus your first moto at Southwick?
PJ: I wasn’t nearly as nervous at Southwick. I was really nervous in Millville but in Southwick I had a good gate pick and I felt more confident about going to the line in that first moto. I knew that I could run up front with those guys. I didn’t get the greatest start but I felt really good.

A few more questions....
Q: When you went into this, you said that you would look at thefirst three races of your pro career as a learning experience. Whathave you learned over the first two that you have completed?
PJ:I think my biggest area that I have found to work on has been practice.It’s been difficult figuring out when to put a good solid lap duringpractice to get a good spot in qualifying. I think that was a big keyfactor this weekend at Southwick. I had to ride the LCQ to get intorace on Sunday. In Millville I had a decent practice but I couldn’t getinto a groove in Southwick, which really cost me. I don’t think I rodepoorly, I just think it was me not really knowing how to do it or whento go out for a good lap. Going through the basics with practice andlearning where to line up against these guys at the start will be oneof the biggest things I take from riding these events.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory from this past year in the amateurs?
PJ:I’m not sure if I have one memory. It’s all been exciting. This year Iwon the most championships of my career and I was racing with guys likeBlake Wharton and Darrell Durham that always made it fun. There are alot of good memories from the last year.

Q: Anything else you want to add?
PJ: Nope. I’m just really pumped to start racing!