MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.,
May 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Ducati has set its sights on taking back the course record
at the 96th annual running of the Pikes Peak International Hill
Climb (PPIHC), set to take place June
24. The Ducati team record holder, Carlin Dunne, and current middleweight record
holder, Codie Vahsholtz, make up the
2018 Spider Grips Ducati Pikes Peak team. This year's race will
also include the exciting introduction of the new Multistrada 1260
Pikes Peak to the historic "Race to the Clouds."
This will be a must-watch event for race fans and Ducatisti
around the world. Ducati has secured six victories on the mountain
since the company's debut in 2008 and held the all-time course
record from 2012 until 2017 a year in which Ducati was not part of
the official race competition.
Dunne was the first motorcyclist ever to traverse the 4,720-foot
Pikes Peak race course in less than 10 minutes (9:52.819), which
was achieved on the game-changing Multistrada 1200 S in 2012.
This year marks Dunne's return to Ducati's racing team. In 2017,
he led the Pikes Peak Squadra Alpina as part of the Race Smart
program, which was created in 2016 by Ducati in partnership with
the PPIHC. The program utilizes the experience of former champions
to ensure all rookie motorcycle entrants have the highest level of
preparation and knowledge prior to the sinuous course.
"After holding the course record for many years, we had decided
to use our experience on the mountain to help support the safety of
riders with the introduction of the Squadra Alpina program and keep
the tradition of motorcycle racing on the mountain. Our efforts
proved to be successful," said Jason
Chinnock, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati North America.
"After 2017, when Dunne's record was finally broken by a small
margin, it inspired us to race again with the goal of reclaiming
the title. The riders, team and new Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak are
destined to be a force on the mountain."
New to the team is rider, Codie
Vahsholtz, a Colorado
native who comes from a family of Pikes Peak champions but
established a series victories of his own with the record time in
2017 for the Middleweight Division, the record time in 2015 for the
Lightweight Division and in 2013 for the 250 Pro Class. With the 19
victories of his grandfather, Leonard
Vahsholtz and the 23 wins of his father, Clint Vahsholtz, Codie carries on the family
legacy with the most Pikes Peak victories of any family.
The "Race to the Clouds" takes place on Sunday, June 24. Over the span of 12.42 miles,
racers partake in 156 turns to reach the 14,115-foot summit. The
first PPIHC was held in 1916 and continues to be one of the world's
most challenging road races.
The debut of the Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak will showcase the
versatility of the new, larger displacement Multistrada. The 1262
cc Ducati Testastretta DVT engine delivers 18% more torque in the
mid-range and is paired with a redesigned chassis for increased
stability. In addition, the motorcycle is fitted with a
cutting-edge electronics package with distinct Riding Modes,
Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Wheelie Control to
improve control in all conditions on the mountain. A motorcycle
built for sport adventure, the new Multistrada 1260 is available in
the standard version, the Multistrada 1260 S and Multistrada Pikes
Peak.
Ducati is partnering this year with Shell Advance, Brembo,
Pirelli, Termignoni, Spider Grips, Ducati by Rizoma, Race Tech,
Revl and Racing Cowboys for the Pikes Peak event.
About Ducati:
Additional information about Ducati, including participating
dealers and availability can be found at www.ducati.com.
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. - A Sole Shareholder Company - A
Company subject to the Management and Coordination activities of
AUDI AG
Founded in 1926, since 1946 Ducati has been manufacturing
sport-inspired motorcycles characterised by high-performance
Desmodromic engines, innovative design and cutting-edge technology.
With its factory located in Bologna's Borgo Panigale district, in
2016 Ducati celebrated 90 years since it was founded. The model
range covers several market segments with the following families:
Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, SuperSport and Panigale.
In 2015 Ducati presented the Ducati Scrambler: a new brand made of
bikes, accessories and apparel that provide the last word in
creativity and self-expression. These authentic icons representing
what the world knows as "Made in Italy", together with an extensive range of
associated accessories and technical and lifestyle apparel, are
distributed in 90 countries globally. Breaking all records for the
company, in 2017 Ducati delivered to customers 55,871 bikes to
customers. Ducati competes in both the World Superbike and MotoGP
World Championships. In Superbike, Ducati has won 17 Manufacturers'
titles and 14 Riders' titles. Ducati has been competing in MotoGP
since 2003, winning both the Manufacturers' and Riders' titles in
2007.
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SOURCE Ducati North America