The crash that claimed the life of Santa Barbara’s Carlin Dunne at the 97th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday appears to have been the result of his motorcycle “high siding” coming into the last turn before the finish line, according to an investigation by the race director and race safety team.
A statement posted on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb website, PPIHC.org, said: “The motorcycle was inspected and there were no signs of a mechanical failure.
“After reviewing footage from the incident, it appears that the rider high sided coming into the last turn before the finish line.”
High siding happens when the rear wheel of the motorcycle loses traction, skids, and then suddenly regains traction. The jerking action can flip the rider head first off the motorcycle or over the handlebars.
Dunne, 36, was a four-time champion of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, a 12.42-mile, 156-turn race-against-the-clock to the summit at 14,115 feet. He won in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2018.
He was on his way to beating the motorcycle speed record on a 2019 Ducati Streetfighter V4 Prototype when he crashed.
Dunne was the owner of the Ducati of Santa Barbara dealership on Montecito Street.
“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,” Megan Leatham, executive director, said in the statement.
“Carlin was loved by everyone who was lucky enough to know him. We not only lost one of the greatest ever to compete on Pikes Peak, but more importantly an irreplaceable friend to this organization.”
The website Road Show reported that Pikes Peak International Hill Climb organizers started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help Dunne’s family offset the costs for a memorial service. The campaign goal is $100,932. The numbers 932 signify the time Dunne expected to finish the climb.
A viewing and memorial service for Dunne are scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 21 E. Sola St. in Santa Barbara.
— Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with