Carlin Dunne was on pace for new motorcycle record on Pikes Peak
Carlin Dunne would have been named King of the Mountain for the fifth time on Sunday. He would’ve set a new record for the fastest time up Pikes Peak Highway on a motorcycle. He would have been the one pounding his bike in celebration at the summit of America’s Mountain.
Dunne crashed just short of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb finish line on Sunday. He died while dozens of other racers wondered what happened and got little information from Hill Climb officials.
We first reported Dunne’s death and had to carry on with the rest of the coverage for race day. Now, Dunne’s family and friends are carrying on his legacy of passion for motorsport and teaching others.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb said Wednesday that Dunne was on pace to finish his run up the mountain with an estimated time of 9:32. That would have shattered the motorcycle course record by 12 seconds.
Following Dunne’s death, Hill Climb organizers donated $932 to a Gofundme fundraiser for his family to recognize the incredible pace Dunne was setting on his Ducati motorcycle.
The outpouring of support after Dunne’s tragic death is because of Dunne’s outpouring of support for the sport while he was alive. He was an accomplished motorcycle rider and stuntman for television and film, he competed in well-known motorsport events, and he was a mentor for other riders. Following his record-setting run in 2012, Dunne joined the Race Smart program, which had him teaching rookie riders as they first came to race up Pikes Peak.
Hill Climb officials are asking the community to show their support and help Dunne’s family. All of the proceeds from the Gofundme will go directly to Dunne’s mother to help with expenses and to “honor his legacy with a celebration of Carlin’s life in Santa Barbara, California, a month from now.”
Dunne crashed after his bike high-sided near the finish line. His bike corrected itself quickly after the rear wheel slipped out, and then Dunne was thrown off before falling down an embankment, according to Hill Climb officials.
You can find the fundraiser by clicking HERE.
