2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Motorcycle Results
To quickly put the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb into perspective with other worldwide race events, the famed “Race to the Clouds” is America’s much shorter version of the Isle of Man TT.
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is America’s second oldest race next to the Indianapolis 500, and takes competitors on a 12.42-mile run up Pikes Peak through 156 turns. Besides the hairpin turns, the ascent also challenges due to elevation changes; the PPIHC begins at 9,390 feet above sea level and climbs to 14,115 feet at the finish line of the Summit. Near the top, engines lose nearly 30-percent of their power, creating tough situations for both rider and machine.
For the past three years, the entire course has been paved, allowing motorcycle competitors to run slicks, something that vastly improved times.
This year’s 92nd running of PPIHC saw some debut competitors throughout the eight classes of bikes running (individual class winners below). And two that were immediate favorites were Isle of Man TT competitors Guy Martin (UK) and Jeremy Toye (USA).
Toye arrived at Pikes Peak with one goal in mind – beat the outright Pikes Peak Motorcycle record set by Carlin Dunne in 2012 (9:52.819, Ducati Multistrada, former 1205 Division Class).
Though he didn’t achieve this goal, he piloted his 2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R to within six seconds of Dunne’s record.
Toye took the overall motorcycle time, posting a 9:58.687 in the Open class, which also became a new record in the Open class. In the Open class, he was followed by a string of Ducati machinery.
The Frenchman Lambert Fabrice finished second, six-seconds behind, aboard a 2009 Ducati 1098R. Third went to moto-journalist Don Canet on a 2014 Ducati Multistrada, who was followed by Micky Dymond (2014 Ducati Multistrada) and Bruno Langlois (2013 Ducati Panigale 1199).
Toye did crash during qualifying, but was able to regain his composure to take the overall win. Due to his performance, he received the “Rookie of the Year” and “King of the Mountain” awards. He also became just the third rider in history to finish the race in less than 10 minutes (the other two are Carlin Dunne and Greg Tracey).
“Our team worked hard to get the bike ready after our get-off in qualifying, but the Ninja ZX-10R ran great,” said Toye. “Race day conditions were extremely slippery, but we had the setup and big horsepower to get the win”.
Toye continues to garner more and more success as a racer. In 2006, he set the fastest lap of a newcomer at the Isle of Man TT. His other highlights include third at the Macau Grand Prix, and multiple top-five finishes in AMA Pro Road Racing.
As for Isle of Man TT favorite Guy Martin – a 15-time TT podium finisher – he had some issues during practice and qualifying with his 2014 Martek that features an 1100cc engine. He would take the win in his class with an 11:32.558.
Unfortunately, the 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was marred by tragedy when Middleweight-class rider Bobby Goodin crashed in the gravel parking lot after the finish line. Goodin lost control of his 2014 Triumph 675R, and was flown to the hospital where he died.
Goodin, who finished fourth in the Middleweight class, became the fifth death in the history of PPIHC, and was also the first motorcycle fatality since 1982.
2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Motorcycle Results:
Open Class:
1. Jeremy Toye (Kawasaki) 9:58.687
2. Lambert Fabrice (Ducati) 10:04.401
3. Don Canet (Ducati) 10:10.101
Middleweight Class:
1. Eric Piscione (Ducati) 10:46.159
2. Jeff Grace (Triumph) 10:55.668
3. Joseph Toner (Kawasaki) 10:58.466
Lightweight Class:
1. Cal Collins (Honda) 10:58.203
2. Codie Vahsholtz (KTM) 11:02.054
3. Travis Newbold (Honda) 11:04.296
UTV/Exhibition Class:
1. Guy Martin (Martek) 11:32.558
2. Yasuo Arai (Kawasaki) 11:33.613
3. Masahiro Takano (Kawasaki) 11:48.644
Electric Production Class:
1. Jeff Clark (Zero) 11:59.814
Pikes Peak 250 Class:
1. Matt Meinert (Honda) 12:09.513
2. Jimi Heyder (Heyder/Suzuki) 13:01.223
3. Steve Mageors (Suzuki) 15:04.726
Electric Modified Class:
1. Jeremiah Johnson (Brutus) 12:20.448
2. Yoshihiro Kishimoto (MIRAI) 13:36.654
Vintage Motorcycle Class:
1. Mark Shim (Triumph) 12:58.519
2. Lloyd Hale (Yamaha) 13:27.685
3. Michael Valdez (Yamaha) 14:04.146
