Carlin Dunne’s mother: Don’t ban motorcycles from Pikes Peak
He was doing what he loved. So, who are we to take away other racers’ dreams of racing Pikes Peak International Hillclimb? - Carlin Dunne's mother
Read the full and emotional tribute by Romie Gallardo to her late son Carlin Dunne
THE MOTHER of Carlin Dunne, the late racer who died competing on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, has spoken out against proposals to disallow motorbikes from competing at the event.
A veteran of the famous ‘Race to the Clouds’, Dunne was riding a prototype version of Ducati’s upcoming Streetfighter V4 road bike when he crashed close to the finish line in this year’s race.
An investigation confirmed there was no mechanical factor in the accident and that witnesses suggested a bump had caught Dunne out and caused him to high-side.
As a result, motions are set to be brought seeking to ban motorbikes from racing at Pikes Peak going forward, with leaked emails seen by the Colorado Gazette quoting Race Executive Director Megan Leatham as saying: “He high sided… but it just happened to be on Pikes Peak with no room for error. Also...between us… I think the end of the motorcycle program on Pikes Peak…. The last rider on the 156 turn [course]…”
However, the move is not one favoured by Dunne’s mother Romie Gallardo, who was fully supportive of her son’s endeavours at the mountain and had accepted ‘the flip side of the sport’ before the fateful day.
In a statement she goes on to say this incident shouldn’t be the detraction for others to chase the ‘dream’ of competing at Pikes Peak.
“Carlin loved the mountain,” she said. “She challenged and enticed him, calling him back again and again. He gave her due respect. He was fully aware of her ability to “take.” With that being said, I know for a fact that he would not want the motorcycle program to end.
“He would want us to learn from this tragedy. He would encourage the official accident reconstruction authorities do what they are trained to do, and for the race officials to implement additional safety precautions required.
“Three days after Carlin’s crash a reporter asked me, “How do you feel about the race now?” To which I replied, “The same way I felt on June 29th, the day before he crashed.” All his life I’ve known that losing him was a possibility.
“We went into this with eyes-wide-open. We were aware of the flip side of this sport. I was committed to him and his dreams. He was doing what he loved. So, who are we to take away other racers’ dreams of racing Pikes Peak International Hillclimb?”
Ducati this weekend revealed it would be auctioning a special edition #5 plated Ducati Panigale V4 25 Anniversario 916 Superbike in honour of Dunne, with all proceeds going towards fundraising efforts to support Carlin's mother.
