Ben Gearhart
TEAM APE Racer Bio
Name: Ben Gearhart
Hometown: Shelby, Ohio
Age: 21
Racing experience: 2 1/2 Years
Primary racing discipline: Road Racing
Favorite race track: Virginia International Raceway
First motorcycle: Honda CB250
Random facts: Enjoys learning new things, is a proficient guitarist
Sponsors: Team APE, Michelin Tires, Motul Lubricants, Bazzaz, Sunstar
Ever since he can remember, Ben has been fascinated by all things motor sports. Anything with wheels and a motor would instantly absorb all his attention.
This passion continues on today in motorcycle road racing. Racing is something that he has felt a deep longing for. Despite others mentioning that it would be something of an impossibility, or that such a path was only reserved for those whose relatives raced, he manages to defy such preconceived lies and races anyway.
Since a kid, Ben would ride around on his dad's 1987 Honda TRX250X four-wheeler in the back yard. This relationship between kid and four-wheeler would continue until he got his drivers license and went for his motorcycle permit on a Honda CB250.
While continuing to gain experience on the CB250, Ben decided to purchase a “track-ready” Suzuki SV650 in 2008 and signed up for a track-day event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It would be the start of a long, fulfilling journey.
Ben finished second in his regional championship season in 2009 and claimed the 2010 WERA NC Formula 2 Championship at the end of the 2010 season.