BENJAMIN SMITH DOUBLES DOWN AT KTM RC CUP SEASON OPENER

BRASELTON, Ga. – The 2017 KTM RC Cup Championship kicked off this weekend in Braselton, Georgia, running alongside Round 2 of the AMA MotoAmerica Championship Series. Quarterly Racing/On Track Development teammates Benjamin Smith and Draik Beauchamp made a big statement at the opening round as they scored the top two podium positions in both races, beginning the nine-race series with an advantage over the rest of the class.

 

Smith was the fastest rider in both qualifying sessions and he assumed pole position heading into the weekend of racing. In race one, Smith grabbed the early lead and swapped positions with Canadian rider Alex Dumas throughout the 11-lap race. Smith was able to make it stick in the end, claiming his first-career KTM RC Cup victory in Atlanta.

 

“Our plan was to get out front early on and check out but Alex and Draik were quick, so we settled in and waited until the end to make our move,” Smith said.

 

Meanwhile, Beauchamp positioned himself in the 2^nd place position after engaging in battle with Dumas in the final laps of the race. Dumas, despite a great battle for the top three positions, ultimately finished 3^rd in race one. Trevor Standish finished a career-best 4^th place and Tyler Wissel rounded out the top five.

 

Race 2 took place on Sunday and it was Smith who once again started in pole position. However, Beauchamp took command of the lead position on the opening lap, with Toby Khamsouk close behind in 2^nd and Smith in 3^rd. The trio swapped positions through the first five laps until Dumas interjected himself into the lead battle where he assumed the front position on lap six. Beauchamp tried his hand out front once more but it was Smith who was able to hold strong in the end to capture his second-straight victory in race two.

 

“I couldn’t imagine the start to the season going any better,” Smith added. “Starting the season with 50 points is a really solid start.”

 

Beauchamp once again finished 2^nd behind his teammate Smith, while Tyler Wissel captured his first-career podium finish in race two. Dumas ultimately finished 4^th and Khamsouk rounded out the top five.

 

Next Event: Virginia International Raceway / May 12-14, 2017  

 

KTM RC Cup Race 1 Results

1. Benjamin Smith
2. Draik Beauchamp
3. Alex Dumas
4. Trevor Standish
5. Tyler Wissel

 

KTM RC Cup Race 2 Results

1. Benjamin Smith
2. Draik Beauchamp
3. Tyler Wissel
4. Alex Dumas
5. Toby Khamsouk

 

KTM RC Cup Championship Point Standings

1. Benjamin Smith (50)
2. Draik Beauchamp (40)
3. Alex Dumas (29)
4. Tyler Wissel (27)
5. Trevor Standish (22)