Latus Motors Racing and Joe Kopp Enter Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Team selects Triumph Speed Triple to compete in Exhibition Division

Banks, OR AMA Pro Flat Track rider Joe Kopp will race a Latus Motors Racing Powered by RSRacecraft Triumph Speed Triple in the 89th annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Kopp finished third in the 1200cc motorcycle class in 2008 with a time of 12:41.403 on the 12.42 mile course.

“Pikes Peak requires a blend of both torque and horsepower, which I think is a good match for Triumph’s three-cylinder engine,” said Kopp. “What’s really going to be fun is applying my dirt track experience to the streetfighter style of motorcycle, especially in the gravel portions of the course. It should be quite a ride.”

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb course features 10 miles of paved surface and 2 miles on gravel, 156 turns, and a 4,720 ft. elevation increase (beginning at 9,390 ft. and ending at 14,110 ft.) As racers climb toward the mountain’s summit, the elevation change robs engines of 30 percent of their power and slows rider reflexes and muscle strength.

“This is the first time we’ll have competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb as a team,” said George Latus. “We’re really looking forward to running up the mountain and being part of this great, world-renowned event.”

The team will compete in the Exhibition Powersport class, which provides flexibility for the Speed Triple’s unique 1050cc inline triple engine. Other types of vehicles that are eligible for this class include Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs), 750cc-up Quads, and electric motorcycles.

This year’s event is Sunday, June 26.