Carlin Dunne Succumbs To Injuries In Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Crash

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Carlin Dunne has died after crashing just before the finish line of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The racer, actor and stuntman was attempting to set a new record in the Hill Climb on a prototype Ducati Streetfighter V4. Through the first three sections of the course, Dunne was well on his way towards setting the record, but a big bump in the road near the finish line caused the front wheel of the Streetfighter V4 prototype to wash out from under him, ending in the disastrous result.

He was 36.

Each year the pavement at Pikes Peak degrades due to the extreme temperatures and weather it endures being 14,000 feet above sea level. Below is an official statement on Dunne’s death from both Ducati and the Board of Directors of The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. We at Motorcycle.com extend our deepest condolences to Dunne’s family and friends.

Tragic accident at Pikes Peak

Carlin Dunne, Ducati Team Spider Grips driver falls just a few meters before the finish line, after having dominated the first three sessions of the race and ready to set the new record.
This is the official announcement from the race organizers.

Colorado Springs, Colorado (US), 30 June 2019 – The collective hearts of the Colorado Springs community and the Board of Directors of The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, along with Ducati North America, share the grief and pain of Carlin Dunne’s family, friends and fans over his untimely death.

“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”. The Board of Directors of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

“There are no words to describe our shock and sadness. 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,” said Jason Chinnock, CEO Ducati North America.

With our deepest condolence.

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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  • Sayyed Bashir Sayyed Bashir on Jul 03, 2019

    What can one say. Motorcycle racing is not a bloodsport like in the Roman times but sometimes it feels that way.

  • Jay Dillon Jay Dillon on Jul 05, 2019

    A big bump in the road huh? No warning sign, like "BIG BUMP IN ROAD, MAY KILL YOU"?

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