Motorcycles will not be permitted to compete at the 2020 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb as a consequence of serious incidents involving two-wheeled entries, including the death of experienced racer Carlin Dunne in June.
The move had been rumoured for some weeks following the leak of e-mails between event organisers discussing the discipline’s future following a rise in fatal accidents in recent years. For now, the ban has been limited to a one-year hiatus as analysis into its ‘long-term viability’ is conducted.
In all, six people have died on the iconic event since it began in 1916, four of which have occurred in motorcycle competition. Significantly though, three of these – Bobby Goodin, Carl Sorenson and Dunne – died within the last decade.
Moreover, the death of Dunne – who had courted much of the pre-event fanfare riding a factory-standard prototype of Ducati’s new Streetfighter V4 – attracted significant global exposure, increasing the pressure on organisers to act.
Despite this, Dunne’s mother Romie Gallardo urged officials not to ban motorbikes from Pikes Peak as part of an emotional tribute to her late son. Dunne died in an accident close to the finish line, with investigators concluding it to be the result of hitting a bump and not due to any mechanical fault with the Ducati.
Full statement from the Pikes Peak Board of Directors
“Motorcycles have been a part of the PPIHC for the past 29 years, and their history on America’s Mountain dates back to the inaugural running in 1916,” said Tom Osborne, Chairman. “That said, the motorcycle program hasn’t been an annual event.
“They have run 41 of the 97 years we’ve been racing on Pikes Peak. It’s just time to take a hard look at every aspect of the race, including the motorcycle program, and determine whether or not the event may change,” he added.
PPIHC staff and board members will continue to track all metrics related to the annual race and make a final determination in late 2020 about whether or not the inclusion of a motorcycle program will take place in future years.
