Kelowna superbike racer Marcel Irnie is racing at the 100th anniversary of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Sunday, June 24.
Image Credit: Eric Bar/Facebook
June 24, 2016 - 8:00 PM
KELOWNA - A sportbike racer from Kelowna is readying himself and his machine for the second oldest race in the United States.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a dizzying, 12-mile race with more than 156 turns climbing 1,440 metres. Only 100 vehicles are allowed and Kelowna’s own Marcel Irnie is one of them.
This race is special for Irnie, who is a veteran pro racer on the American Superbike circuit. Not only is he racing it on an all-electric bike, but it’s the 100th anniversary of the 'Race to the Clouds'.
Although this is Irnie’s first attempt at Pikes Peak, he is already putting up impressive numbers. He had the third best time during practice on one of the upper sections yesterday and was seventh overall for that section.
Irnie will be riding a Hollywood Electrics Zero FXS, which looks more like a dirtbike from the future than a superbike.
“It’s more like a dirt bike so I have to decide, when I’m on the track, am I going to do dirt bike style when I’m braking with my leg out or do I do knee down?” he says.
The race happens this Sunday, June 26, at Pikes Peak in Colorado.
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