Honda and Campbell poised to break Baja records
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2001 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, November 8-11 Torrance, CA -- Honda's off-road champion Johnny Campbell is close to becoming the first off-road racer to win five consecutive Baja 1000 titles in-a-row. The mild mannered San Clemente, California native is currently tied with Larry Rosseler with four wins back-to-back and his sights set on capturing this year's 2001 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. "I'm trying not to think about it," said Campbell. "The pressure is there, but I'm treating this race just like I would any other. My teammate and I are preparing for a great race, and that is all we can ask for." Campbell's teammate is three-time Baja 1000 winner Tim Staab. Staab is also excited about this years 1000 course layout and feels that this race suits his style well. "It s great," said an eager Staab. "This years course will be rougher and more technical then weve seen in a while. Both seem to suit my riding style fine. Im looking forward to the desert whoops in San Felipe, and I also will be ready for the tight twisty sections of Mikes Sky Ranch." To compensate for the increase in racecourse intensity, the Honda XR650R that Campbell and Stabb will ride has been modified to handle the rigors of the new race course layout. "We are giving the XR650R more horsepower", said Campbell. "We will also fit the bike with 'works-type' Showa suspension to better handle the rougher sections." Campbell isn't the only one planning on smashing records. American Honda is currently tied with Husqvarna for the most manufacturer's wins in the Baja 1000. If Honda wins this year's event, it will become the first manufacturer to win 12 Baja 1000 championships -- a testament to the incredible toughness of Honda's championship racers and their equally tough machines. Honda Baja Championships 1. 1968 Larry Berquist / Gary Preston - Honda 2. 1975 Al Baker / Gene Cannady - Honda 3. 1982 Al Baker / Jack Johnson - Honda 4. 1984 Chuck Miller / Randy Morales - Honda 5. 1985 Randy Morales / Derrick Paiement - Honda 6. 1986 Bruce Ogilvie / Chuck Miller - Honda 7. 1987 Dan Ashcraft / Bruce Ogilvie - Honda 8. 1997 Johnny Campbell / Tim Staab - Honda 9. 1998 Johnny Campbell / Jimmy Lewis - Honda 10. 1999 Johnny Campbell / Tim Staab - Honda 11. 2000 Johnny Campbell / Tim Staab / Craig Smith / Steve Hengeveld - Honda