Motorcycle Racer Dies in Finish Line Crash

A North Texas motorcycle racer died just seconds after completing one of the most difficult motorcycle races in the country.

Bobby Goodin, 54, of Flower Mound crossed the finish line Sunday at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, but crashed moments later when trying to slow down.

Witnesses told MotorSport.com Goodin lost control after raising his arm in triumph. He crashed the bike into a boulder and then fell face first into a group of rocks.

He crossed the finish line fourth in his age group and 40th overall, 4th in the middleweight division, according to results.

Goodin's death is the fifth in the race's 92-year history, and the first for a motorcycle competitor in more than 30 years.

The Pikes Peak race is nicknamed the "Race to the Clouds." It is the second-oldest motor sports race in the country, dating back to 1916.

It's a 13-mile course with more than 150 turns. The starting elevation is 9,300 feet and the finish line is 14,100 feet.

Goodin competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb last year, finishing third in his age group. He posted a video of his race to YouTube.

The race's media guide states that the thin air toward the summit "slows reflexes and saps muscle strength — plus it robs engines of 30 percen of their power. Competitors and vehicles must be in top shape simply to finish."
 

Contact Us