In 2012 Carlin Dunne won a seat on the Ducati factory Pikes Peak team next to Greg Tracy. Throughout the week these two guy's pushed each other into an unreal realm of speed and concentration. The Magician and the Cowboy. Carlin would come screaming by and you'd think,"Wow, how did he just pull that off?" and then Greg would blast by with all the guns blazing and beat the time. It was an amazing thing to watch.
The day, however, fell to Carlin with a new overall record of 9:52.819. He edged Greg out by 6 seconds. They were the only two motorcycle riders to break the 10 minute barrier. For a while with the accidents, DNF's, and rainy weather at the top of the mountain, they almost pulled off the fast time of the day for bikes and cars.
My painting, "Moto Icarus" commemorates Carlin's and the Ducati Multistrada's record run to the top of Pikes Peak. It measures 23" x 31" and is painted in transparent watercolor. I love this view from the 16 mile area. It is the one area on Pikes Peak where the spectator can see a large portion of the course. You really get a feel for the mountain. Plus, it's above timberline so everyone is a little loopy. You get out of your car and walk to the edge and the wind and height and the intense sun and the lack of oxygen make your heart pound and lungs burn and you think to yourself I should get a motorcycle and ride it at 140 mph up here. There is no race course like Pikes Peak. To win it is truly something special.
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