1/4LEY Racing On Track Development accomplishes the unbelievable: Sweeps top 4 positions in Saturday
Alton, VA (5/12-14/2017) - Dale Quarterley and Bob Robbins joined forces during the 2016 season to provide opportunities for up and coming riders in the KTM 390 RC Cup series. Now just one year later 1/4LEY Racing OTD is producing amazing results with four talented riders: Benjamin Smith, Draik Beauchamp, Jackson Blackmon, and Jake Leahey. A moment in history that four riders from the same team sweep the top four positions in a professional motorcycle race.
Draik Beauchamp qualified seventh during the rain on Friday after a very wet practice. The team spent much of the time that day trying to decide between rains or slicks for qualifying. Draik, regardless of what the weathermen were telling him, knew the rain was coming. He told his teammates, “We need to work together and set some fast laps in the first few minutes of qualifying before the rain comes.” It was that gut instinct and belief in himself that took him from a second row qualifying position to his first place podium finish.
In typical Dale Quarterley fashion ‘nothing is ever a problem.’ He spent each day, rain or shine, listening to the riders; making adjustments or not depending on the feedback. Each one of the riders has to understand what the bike is doing and Quarterley works closely to help the boys learn to communicate what they feel out on the track. Just before the first KTM race on Saturday Quarterley recorded the following reflection, or maybe we should call it prediction: “It’s race time. Time to get the team ready. We have four bikes in the race. We qualified 1,2,3, and 5. It should be a good day today. Hopefully we bring it home 1,2,3,4.” And that’s just what this 1/4LEY Racing On Track Development team accomplished.
Jackson shared, “This weekend at VIR stared out a bit rough as I was recovering from a broken wrist and crashed in qualifying.” But that all changed as Jackson jumps out front at the start of Race 1, with Benjamin and Draik in arm’s reach. Benjamin passes Jackson, then Draik uses the draft to pass Benjamin with Jackson on his heels, finishing up Draik, Jackson, and Benjamin. Nail biting right to the last lap. The gap between first and third was only 0.044 seconds. Rounding out the 1/4LEY OTD team Jake brought it in fourth. He’s already looking for his own podium finish, “I know I have achieved more than most; however, I am still not satisfied. I guess that is what keeps me pushing each and every race. I have made huge strides since my opening race, but who doesn’t want to achieve victory?
Race 2 on Sunday was deje vu out of the gate. Jackson gets the hole shot but never looks back,
leading every lap of the race, and gapping the field by over 11 seconds to win his first professional race. The rest of the action was happening behind him. Multiple riders didn’t finish the race including Benjamin Smith, Draik Beauchamp, and Jake Leahey. Mark Reynolds, team member of 1/4LEY Racing OTD, summed it up well: “Another exciting weekend for the 1/4LEY Racing OTD team. With strong performance from the whole team and crew. This weekend gave the team a little of everything from rain to sun and from podiums to crashes. All part of racing and the team did a hell of a job. Congrats to everyone involved. Excited to see what Road America has in store.”
The riders couldn't be in the position they are in without support from their families and sponsors.
Team Sponsors: Beta Tools, Inter-Tech Supplies, Motorex, Regina Chains, Scott Powersports, Street & Competition, Woodcraft Technologies
A special thanks to the personal sponsors for our riders:
Draik Beauchamp: 129 Photos- Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod &Baril- Spider Graphix- Tint One- Pit Pass Radio- Sportbike Leather Service- SaferMoto.com-Red Fox racing Cycle Gear Trever White at Harper VW LS2 Helmets
Jake Leahey: Arai Helmets- Sidi Boots- Heroic Leathers- NJminiGP- Stump Racing Kids- United Asphalt- Wholesale Outlet- Hangdry- Solid Performance KTM- Evolve GT Trackdays- RideRich Apparel- Scordo Farms
Jackson Blackmon: Dainese / AGV- TrackDay Winners - Xt Racing - Fast Frank - Fast Bike Industries - Finishline Machine - Drippin Wet
Benjamin Smith: Arai Helmets- William Deal- Gmoto- Sidi-Impact Armor- Absolute Cycle Experience
