Big Win at Pike's Peak Hill Climb for Falkner Livingston Team

The Falkner Livingston Team went to Pike’s Peak with the newest motorcycle class on the mountain. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been an annual event since 1916. There are no guardrails, 200 foot drops and 156 hair raising turns. The course is part dirt and part pavement.

FL/Honda 150 Exhibition Class lines up at Pike's Peak Hill Climb
FL/Honda 150 Exhibition Class lines up at Pike's Peak Hill Climb
FL Team ran a special exhibition class Honda CRF 150R Expert with riders the team gathered from the motorcycle industry. The 150s were equipped with K&N Engineering Oil Filters.
FL Team at the top of the mountain FL Team at the top of the mountain
FL Team uses K&N Engineering Products
FL Team uses K&N Engineering Products

On race day, they were on the mountain for the Race to the Clouds before 4 a.m. “Once we got there, we set up the FL Racing pit,” said Falkner Livingston Racing Assistant Team Manager Becca Livingston. “When it was time for the FL/Honda 150 Exhibition class all six riders took off on the same grid. It was the first time six riders have had the same starting time at the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb.”

Rider Chris Denison took an early lead. “He was so excited that he held up his arm to wave,” said Livingston. “Rider Paul Thede took advantage of that brief moment, and swooped in front of Chris. Alexander Smith was right behind them and he and Chris chased Paul.” Only a few seconds separated the first through fourth riders.

At 14,100 feet and after 156 turns, rider Paul Thede crossed the finish line with a time of 15:19.791. Five seconds later, he was followed by Alexander Smith. Chris Denison was third.

FL Racing owner Rod Falkner presented the Silver Honda Cup to champion Paul Thede at the FL Racing pits. The FL Team also attended the Pike’s Peak award ceremony at the starting line and collected trophies for the Exhibition class in first, second and third place.

Next up for FL is the Bonneville Salt Flats. “This year we will be supporting one returning motorcycle and one brand new one,” said Livingston. “The returning race bike is the current record holder for the 1650cc Production/Production class. In 2006, Paul Thede set a new record of 191.802 mph on the 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14.”

Our goal this year is to increase the speed on that motorcycle and inking that number into the record books. “In the hot, dry and salty conditions at Bonneville, K&N Filters are a huge part of making the motorcycles run well,” said Livingston. “We rely on K&N oil and air filters to work on motorcycles that run over 200 mph.”

Follow the Falkner Livingston Team throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.