Hengeveld/Street Win Tonopah 300
| June 25, 2001
Honda Racing’s Steve Hengeveld and Jonah Street are now considered best in the desert at this year’s BITD Tonopah 300. The two Red Riders and their 2001 XR650R roared to a clear victory over second-place riders Andy Grider and Shane Esposito of Kawasaki Team Green. Street and Hengeveld won with a finishing time of five hours, 10 minutes, and 24 seconds.
Multi-time off-road champ Johnny Campbell and his teammate Tim Staab had some early misfortune that would test the team’s mettle. Campbell was on his Honda Racing-prepped XR650R when he misjudged a turn and shot off the course down onto a rock bed. Campbell was cut and bruised but fought on to the next pit stop where he handed the bike over to Staab. The two riders soldiered on to a strong third-place showing with a time of five hours, 20 minutes, and 31 seconds.
With three rounds left, Street and Hengeveld are leading the BITD points standings, while their teammates Campbell and Staab sit in second place.
