Lightning Motorcycles To Field Current Lap Record Holder Carlin Dunne At Pikes Peak
Lightning Motorcycles, has announced today that it has just signed Carlin Dunne to compete at this year’s Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb in June.
Dunne is the current lap record holder on a motorcycle, and the two-time and defending class champion. This marks a historic moment, as Dunne will switch from the gas-powered Ducati Multistrada he rode to his past victories to the all-electric Lightning superbike.
“I’ve been testing it [the Lightning] for a month, and it’s insane,” Dunne said. “It’s power and acceleration is like nothing I’ve ever ridden. When you light that fuse, hang on.”
The Lightning entry is unique even among the other electric motorcycles, as it is powered exclusively by solar energy through the combined technology developed by SMA, Trina Solar, and EnerDel Lithium batteries. That in turn will be used to fuel the motorcycle’s onboard battery pack. This groundbreaking technology makes it the first racing vehicle in major motorsports to leave a zero carbon footprint.
Last year Lightning competed in select races on the TTXGP and FIM e-Power calendar, including Laguna Seca and Le Mans, France, where it won both races. The team is looking to continue that winning tradition this year starting at Pikes Peak. It won’t be easy as the mountain course spans 13 miles, 156 turns, and climbs almost 5000 feet.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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