Ducati Announces Pikes Peak Safety Initiative

Ducati has teamed with a group of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb champions to offer rider training via the Squadra Alpina Safety Team and “Race Smart” Program.

Ducati on Tuesday also announced the official partners for the program, including Shell Advance, Pirelli, Brembo, Silvercar and Master & Dynamic. These brands will be displayed on all Pikes Peak Squadra Alpina team riding gear and motorcycles at Fan Fest and in the motorcycle staging area at this year’s Pikes Peak race.

“For Ducati, it’s a matter of giving back to the mountain that has given us so much,” said Jason Chinnock, CEO of Ducati North America. “For our partners, it’s a tribute to the legacy and drama of motorcycle racing at Pikes Peak for the past century and a way to ensure that motorcycles will compete here for the next 100 years.”

The PPIHC is the oldest and one of the most challenging motorcycle races in the Western Hemisphere, famous for its grueling combination of challenging terrain, unpredictable weather conditions and 156 turns to get to the top of the 14,115 ft. (4,300 m) mountain peak. Ducati says it partnered with the PPIHC to develop the Race Smart Program to make sure all registered motorcycle participants have the highest level of preparation and knowledge going into race day.

At the heart of the Race Smart Program is the Pikes Peak Squadra Alpina, a team of former PPIHC champions, who will act as rider coaches, including the current course record holder, Carlin Dunne (2012 – Ducati Multistrada 1200 S /9:52.819). Other team members are Micky Dymond and brothers Greg Trachy and Gary Trachy. The Race Smart Program and the Pikes Peak Squadra Alpina Team is managed by Spider Grips principals Paul and Becca Livingston.