MotoAmerica Rising Stars Spotlight: Ben Gloddy

We spoke to rising star Ben Gloddy about his career and future aspirations.

Like so many other riders across the world, the love of motorcycles and racing was installed in Ben Gloddy from a very young age. Ben entered the national scene in 2019 as a mid-season entrant into the Sportbike Track Gear Junior Cup. In 2020, Gloddy finished an impressive fourth in the standings with eight podium finishes to his credit. This year he will once again compete in the Junior Cup series aboard his Kawasaki Ninja 400.

When did you start riding motorcycles?

I was 4 years old when I started riding and racing flat track.

What was the first bike you learned to ride on?

Honda XR50

What was the bike you first raced on?

Honda XR50

Why did racing appeal to you?

At that age, I am not really sure but I have a passion and drive to do well racing and it is a ton of fun.

What series did you race in over the past few years before MotoAmerica?

Prior to MotoAmerica, I raced in the Loudon Road Race Series (now Northeast Motorcycle Road Racing) through CCS, NESCB, Mini GP in NY, NJ and FL, Supermoto at Boxshop Speedway (NEMM) in Maine and also Flat Track at Square Deal Riders in NY and Wachusett Valley Riders Club in MA.

List your accomplishments in those series’ (podium, winner, etc)

In the Loudon Road Race Series, I won the championships in the 500 Superbike and Supersport classes and was also the youngest racer to ever with the Vanson Leathers Rookie of the Year Award. Throughout the years racing Flat Track and Supermoto, I won a number of championships in various classes.

Still going to compete in Junior Cup in 2021 or will you do another class?

Yes, I will be racing in the MotoAmerica Sportbike Track Gear Junior Cup for Landers Racing.

Goals for this season?

My goal for this season is to win the Junior Cup Championship.

Biggest challenges for 2021?

Winning the Junior Cup Championship. There are a lot of fast racers in the series and coming into it.

Ultimate goals in the sport? MotoGP? WSBK?

I would have to say MotoGP.

Any racing heroes growing up?

Jamison Minor #27u. I met Jamison when I was 4 and started racing flat track. He was older than I was but always took time to play with me in the dirt with my toy dirt bikes and rode with me on the track to help me learn and get faster. He was my best friend and will always be my hero.

Jamison was hurt in an AFT accident in Charlotte (North Carolina) and passed away in 2017. I miss him every day. My race number, 72, is to honor him. I tried to get his race number, 27, but it was taken so I reversed it.

Biggest influence on your career?

Jamison Minor #27u

Featured images – Brian J Nelson