Ducati Announces Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Team with Carlin Dunne & Greg Tracy

Ducati has announced its factory team for the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), and the Italian company has secured the services of last-year’s winner and Rookie of the Year Carlin Dunne as well as six-time PPIHC winner Greg Tracy. Ducati has also partnered with the Spider Grips team, who will help prepare the teams Ducati Multistrada 1200 for the “Race to the Clouds” on July 8th.

For 2012, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be fully-paved to the top of the mountain, which will surely see the speeds of competitors increase, and lap times drop on the 12.42 mile long course that ends at 14,110 feet. Holding the outright fastest motorcycle lap time on the mountain, Santa Barbara Ducati’s Carlin Dunne is eager to defend his title from last year, as well as his status as the fastest motorcyclist on the mountain.

“I”m really happy to be riding with Ducati for 2012, and to have the chance to defend the title at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb,” said Carlin Dunne. “This year will be harder than ever with the new course and format, but with our assembled Spider Grips Ducati team, I’m confident that we have the best chance possible of winning the race, and defending the title.”

“I”m also excited to be teamed up with Greg Tracy, since he has an enormous amount of knowledge from racing the Pikes Peak course,” added Dunne. “Just because I won the race last year doesn’t mean that I’ve become an expert on Pikes Peak, and for 2012 I’m looking forward to learning more from Greg and getting faster on the mountain.”

Dunne and Tracy will get their first chance to be reacquainted with the Pikes Pike hill climb course in June, when the PPIHC holds its first practice session for competitors.