Team STC Husqvarna Racing are very well-known in German motocross, but the team managed by Team Principal Colin Streubel also now enjoy an international reputation following Henry Jacobi's successes in the MX2 Motocross World Championship. Anyone who can be a thorn in the side of the manufacturers' works crews with a satellite team that's officially supported, but nevertheless, still private, deserves to be highly respected in the world championship paddock, and rightly so. And that's also reason enough then to take a closer look at the machine ridden by Henry Jacobi and fielded by STC Husqvarna Racing.

One of the most important modifications to Henry Jacobi's motorcycle is the works suspension by WP. "As the rider's speed increases, so do the stresses and strains put on the machine, and so, it's extremely important to have the very best tackle available in this area," says Colin Streubel. By the way, the bike's 'trick' suspension is not purchased but leased and includes regular servicing and support by a WP technician at all world championship races. This ensures that both fork and shock absorber are optimally matched to the rider and always work perfectly. "We need not mention the price, but it's the cost of a small car," adds Streubel with a chuckle. The linkage assembly is also from WP and helps increase the suspension's progression and rigidity to cope with the tremendous speeds reached in the championship top flight.

Brembo factory brakes, combined with Galfer discs and special pads to suit different track conditions, provide tremendous stopping power and enormous durability. "The main thing here is to ensure that braking performance remains constant even under extreme conditions," says Streubel. "So, the point where the pads make contact and braking power stay within acceptable tolerances even during long, extremely arduous races."

A fully adjustable Suter anti-hopping clutch reduces the engine's turning force on the overrun, making the frame less prone to vibration under braking. It is also much more durable and has a greater range of adjustment than a standard clutch thanks to having many more springs and being made from aircraft-quality aluminium.

The FC 350's exhaust system is by HGS and in this version, can be bought from the usual sources. A HGS system to 'grand prix' spec is used on the FC 250 that Jacobi rides in the MX2 world championship. "It comes with different manifolds that enable us to modify engine characteristics," says Streubel. As regards the engine, a Wössner piston is fitted to the FC 350 to slightly increase compression. The ignition system with adaptive engine mapping is Husqvarna.

The Blackbird seat cover and stickers were specially made for Team STC Husqvarna Racing. "On the 250, we also use a very expensive seat foam from England that weighs half as much as the normal version," says Streubel. "We also use a lot of titanium fasteners and generally keep a close eye on the bike's weight. As a result, ours was the lightest 250 Husqvarna sent for world championship type approval."

Renthal Twinwall handlebars are held in place by an Xtrig PHDS system (Progressive Handlebar Dampening System). The PHDS utilises elastomers to dampen vibration and acts very much like shock absorbers in the vertical plane while completely maintaining steering precision. The Xtrig triple trees are custom-made for the STC Husqvarna Racing team.

Tyres are generally Dunlops mounted on Haan wheel rims. As is the case with all top riders, mousse and not tubes are used exclusively in races. Standard over-the-counter Dunlop tyres with Mefo mousse are normally fitted. However, support by Dunlop has been improved following Henry Jacobi's MX2 world championship podium, and so, he now also gets Dunlop's exclusive works tyres that are not on general sale, including mousse, for his world championship outings.

There's also another very special 'tuning accessory' tucked away a little bit out of sight on Henry Jacobi's Husqvarna, a metal badge that he always mounts on his bikes. "Saint Christopher is the patron saint of both travellers and riders," says Jacobi. "And that's why I put my trust in him!"