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Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2011 -- The Ducati Story

Nice! Thanks for posting.  This is in my back yard, but I've only driven it.  You can't begin to imagine the multitude of sheer, rocky drops along that road. Very few of them have guardrails, or even shoulders for that matter.

I live at 5,000' and am reasonably fit. At the top of that mountain I get winded just walking up stairs. I can't imagine what it would be like for a person used to living at sea level putting out the kind of effort this ride would demand.

I like how the rookie without any sponsorship besides the local shop he works for sets a new record at 11:11.

I'm angling with the wife to take a trip to CO during this event.  We stayed in Crystola last year, just a few miles from the P.P. entrance.  Love the area!

And I liked the way Malcolm Smith's kid grins just the way Malcolm does at the end! 

Sea Level Guy Here from Tampa, FL! A friend and I ran the event last year. Snow in June, really?
As much as the altitude affects your body's performance it absolutley kills the bike's power, even jetted for the altitude.

I had never even been to Pike's. My first exposure was Day 1 practice. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the dirt section was in Day 1 practice as I rounded a left and whoa...where'd the pavement go? The fast sections at the top are scary - nothing but road then sky. My brain told my wrist to turn the throttle. My wrist said no way!

My advice is go participate if you can, not just watch. I wasn't fast but I had a great time! And my friend managed a 10th place class finish his first time out. There is no dirt left so the 2012 race will be an interesting affair.

Quote from: rule62 on February 03, 2012, 11:44:50 AM
I like how the rookie without any sponsorship besides the local shop he works for sets a new record at 11:11.

Carlin Dunn (the winner) and his dad own the local Ducati dealer. He picked out one of their basic MS 1200's and tweaked it to his liking. Job well done.

I took a test ride just last weekend from Carlin on an 1100 EVO. When I told him my main goal was just to not stall it, he just patted me on the shoulder as if to say "Just bring it home in one piece." 

My Brother and I have raced sidecars up Pikes Peak for a number of years the last being 2009. I will say the altitude and waking up a three in the mourning every day to go pratice is what kills you. The day of the event is what it is all about it makes your week long journey worth while. It's one of those events that you have to do at least once just to say you did it.

There is nothing like seeing the sun come up over Devils Playground on the last day of pratice.