During Saturday’s practice sessions for the 93rd edition of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Victory Motorcycles Project 156 suffered a low-side crash.
Project 156’s pilot – Cycle World Road Test Editor Don Canet – crashed at the Elk Park section of the 12.42-mile course, which is around 11,900-feet elevation. Luckily, Canet, who finished third last season in the Open Class aboard a Ducati Multistrada 1200, walked away uninjured.But the same can’t be said for Victory’s custom that was build by Roland Sands. Project 156 suffered significant damage, and requires a complete rebuild and frame straightening. But the team – Falkner-Livingston – is hard at work in effort to compete at June 28’s PPIHC, which takes competitors from 4,7209 to 14,110 in 12.42 miles and 156 turns, hence the name “Project 156.”Speaking after the crash, Canet says: “We have been making significant progress on the engine tune of the motorcycle each time it went out, and were able to start focusing on the handling aspects of the bike. As I was going up the mountain I lost the front end under braking, asphalt temperature was extremely low and, counter intuitively, I think the tire was getting colder as the run went on.”Following the crash, the Falkner-Livingston team transported the race bike back to the Roland Sands Designs headquarters in Southern California for evaluation. “Not going to lie…” says RSD project leader Cameron Brewer, “Project 156 is really beat up. But we are racers at heart and I can promise Victory Motorcycles, Cycle World Magazine, RSD and Pikes Peak fans that we will rebuild the bike – she took one hell of a hit, but we are committed to this program.”“The first question was if Don is OK – when we heard that he was, that was our biggest relief. Racing is serious business, and it takes commitment, planning, guts and skill to get through these situations,” said Victory Motorcycles General Manager Rod Krois.“Victory Motorcycles took this endeavor on to challenge ourselves and make history by putting a competitive American bike back on Pikes Peak. Commitment is not for the weak – and I know that our team will make the decision that is best for Don and our brand.”For repair updates, visit Victory’s Facebook page.
