T
TRAGEDY AT PIKES PEAK
he Ducati team competing at the annual
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb went
from the high point of taking pole position
at the iconic race to the clouds, to the ultimate
low earlier this month with the tragic loss of team
rider Carlin Dunne.
Dunne, who was racing the prototype of Ducati’s
all new Streetfighter V4, scored the best time
during all qualifying sessions and was on pace
to set a new record for the run up the mountain
when he crashed.
After dominating the first three quarters of the
course with blistering times aboard the Panigale
V4 derived prototype, officials say that Dunne (36)
had a fatal crash just a few metres from the finish
line.
“There are no words to describe our shock and
sadness, said Ducati North America CEO, Jason
Chinnock. Carlin was part of our family and one
of the most genuine and kind men we have
ever known. His spirit for this event and love of
motorcycling will be remembered forever as his
passing leaves a hole in our hearts.”
14 KIWI RIDER
Through a statement the Pikes Peak International
Hill Climb Board of Directors released the
following statement:
“Throughout the 97 years that this unique race
has been conducted on America’s Mountain,
we have experienced the ultimate joy in
victory, the disappointment of failure and now,
the unexpected heartbreak of the loss of a
competitor, whose love of the race brought him
to Pikes Peak. We mourn the tragic death of Carlin
and he will remain in our hearts forever as part
of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb family.
Carlin will be remembered as a warm-hearted
mentor with a competitive spirit. He was a gentle
and thoughtful man who touched everyone who
met him. We will always remember his contagious
smile and genuine love for sport”. Ducati has a
strong history with taking on the gruelling PPIHC
race, taking the top gong of the race in 2018, 2014,
2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
At the time of writing there is no word on the
future of Ducati’s Pikes Peak campaign following
the loss of Carlin Dunne.