Allison Park, Pennsylvania ”“ American Honda/JG Off Road team member Jimmy Jarrett will close the book on his substantial professional racing career at the end of 2012.

An Ohio native, Jarrett started his racing career at the age of five, picking up the love of racing from his well-known father John. Through his participation in a number of racing series, Jarrett became one of the most recognizable faces on the starting line. Jarrett’s career spans decades and includes a wide array of impressive accomplishments including five amateur championships, four OMA National Championship titles and six ISDE gold medals.

“I’ve known Jimmy for 20 years,” said JG Off Road Team co-owner JT Bennett. “To see him go on after so many accomplishments over the years, and being a friend of his, I’m proud to be a part of his successful career. It was cool for me to see and to finish out his career on our team and to watch him from the beginning to the end. We couldn’t be more proud of the guy and we hope all the best for him as he continues his career.”Â

While Jarrett still plans on staying on the starting line by competing in the Sportsman class and competing in other specialty races, he said he hopes to stay involved in the industry in other ways.

“I’m still not 100 percent sure of what I’m doing but it will all work out,” Jarrett says. “I definitely want to stay in the industry in one way or another so I’m just weighing my options right now, and whatever I decide I’m sure I’ll be happy with. I’m excited and nervous about what’s next, but I just need to do whatever is going to make me happy, and so far dirt bikes have been pretty good to me, so I hope I can continue with that in one aspect or another.”Â

 “I would like to thank my parents and my family,” Jarrett said. “They have been behind me since I started riding at the age of 5 and have been to almost all of my races my entire career. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way. There are so many to list but a few that stand out are Phil and Nancy Andrews, Rodney and Lori Smith, JT and Gretchen Bennett, Harry and Joanne Reed, My OMA family, the Spangler family, everyone at Western Reserve Motorcycle Club, Mike Webb, Randy Hawkins, Fred Andrews, Kurt Caselli, my girlfriend Shayla and her family, and my amazing sponsors that have been with me forever, Honda, Kenda, Silkolene, DP Brakes, AXP Racing, Moose, Super Sprox, PG Graphics, Cycra, Tsubaki, Factory Connection, FMF, Works Connection, CV4, BRP, No Toil, Rekluse, IMS, Moto Tassinari, Outerwears, Renthal, G2 Ergonomics and Zip Ty. Thanks to everyone that in one way or another has helped me along the way. You guys are the ones that made it happen. Thank you!”Â