Personal History
Brothers Jet (11) and Jaiden (9) Takkunen are motocross racers who grew up in Africa and are starting their racing careers in the US. They are both American and Finnish citizens who were born in Kenya, Africa and raced in Kenya from the age of 5. They have been fortunate to travel and see the world at an early age, including racing dirt bikes in six different countries. They moved to Raleigh, NC in August 2017 and are on a road to Loretta Lynn’s in 2018.
The boys both began riding at the age of 3, and racing competitively at the age of 5. From humble beginnings, the boys have worked hard to improve their riding and have enjoyed success at an early age in Kenyan motocross. Moving to the US has been an opportunity to get into a much
more competitive motocross scene as well as to experience many different and well designed and prepped riding facilities. Some of their favorite tracks in the US include Ball Creek MX , North Carolina Motorsports Park and ClubMX Practice Facility.
Jet and Jaiden train with their dad every weekend on the bike at the track. School holidays are usually spent at the track training. They also jog and workout to keep fit in this very physical sport. Their training focuses on 1) Physical Fitness 2) Technical Skills 3) Mental Preparation and 4) Nutrition. Jet has had the opportunity to train with Coaches Daniel and Kai Sedlak from Sedlak Offroad School in California, Kenya, and most recently in NC.
Jet is a grade 6 student at Leesville Road Middle School in Raleigh, NC. His favorite subjects are Science and PE. Jet is a good student and balances his studies, and motocross. Jet used to be involved in various school sports including his favorite Rugby back in Kenya. He was also on the cross-country team and is a Red Belt in Tae Kwon Do. He is looking forward to trying out for baseball here in the US.
Jet loves reading, fishing, cycling, camping and hiking. Jet’s favorite food is Sushi.
Riding Goals
Jet aspires to become a professional motocross racer. After retiring from racing he would like to work in the motorcycle industry as an Electrical Engineer. He also plans to enter the Dakar Rally. Jet’s goal is to be a leader in the sport and show that a rider from Kenya can make it professionally in the sport.
His next step on this road is to qualify for Loretta Lynn’s AMA National Amateur Championship in 2018.
Competitive Highlights
2017
• AMA D29 NCMP, 65 7-11, 1st place
• AMA D29 Lake Sugar Tree, 65 7-11, 1st place
• Lake Sugar Tree Halloween Bash SX, 65 7-11, 2nd place
• Kenya National Enduro Championship, was leading Clubman’s Class when he left the country
• T-Bone Junior Enduro Series in South Africa, placed 4th and 5th in first two rounds
• Kenya Sportsman of the Year Awards, Most Promising Boy Category, top 5 nomination
2016
• Kenya National Motocross Champion MX65
• Central Africa Motocross Champion MX65
• Africa Continental Championship MX65, 3rd place
• Kenya Motorsports Federation Rider of the Year Award Recipient
• Kenya National Enduro Championship, Most Improved Award Recipient
• Competed in 4 races in California, USA placing 10th, 15th, 3rd, and 2nd.
2015
• Kenya National Motocross Championship MX65, 2nd place
• Africa Continental Championship MX50, 12th place (mechanical failure). Zimbabwe
2014
• Kenya National Motocross Champion MX50
• Central Africa Motocross Champion MX50
• Africa Continental Championship MX50, 5th place. Zambia
• Kenya Motor Sports Federation Motocross Environmental Award Recipient
2013
• Kenya National Motocross Championship MX50, 4th place
• Rift Valley Motor & Sports Club Motocross Most Meritorious Award Recipient
2011
• First competitive race in the Kenya National Motocross Championship MX50