AMA 0-37 FMF Big 6 GP Series
Round 3: Hilltoppers
Me
Wild West Grand Prix
engeveld/Cam bell top
premier tea race
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
KANDY THORNTON
29 PALMS, CA, APR. 5-6
ver 1100 riders saddled up and
came out to the 29th annual Hilltoppers MC "Wild West" Grand Prix in
29 Palms, California. The Hilltoppers
laid out an eight-mile Grand Prix
course featuring an old-school
motocross section, asphalt and some
varied off-road terrain. The club
received excellent reviews for the
course layout and their efforts to
keep the course groomed and
watered through the last race of the
weekend.
The last race on Saturday was the
premier "Showdown at the 29 Palms
Corral," as 23 teams lined up to see who
would claim the biggest share of the
$3000 Team Race purse. Scott Sheak
and Bobby Bonds' Team Green/Pro Circuit/Goat-backed Kawasaki came roaring through the first turn for the
holeshot and came in for the first rider
exchange with a sizeable lead. They
continued to widen the gap with each
successive lap, and it looked like the
O
Scott Sheak gives Bobby Bonds
the motorcycle as they switch off
while leading the Pro Team Race
by a long, long way. Their bike
seized on the last lap.
42
APRIL 23, 2003'
cue
•
e
only good racing action would be for
second and third, but to borrow an
Off-Road racing legend's quote "It
ain't over 'til its over. .."
As the first team came into view
on the last lap, you could hear a collective gasp from the spectators who
n
e
_
s
were shocked to see the American
Honda pony of Steve Hengeveld and
Johnny Campbell in first place.
Campbell was just as shocked when
told he had taken the checkers first.
"I thought I finished in second place!"
Campbell said. "Sheak and Bonds
Steve Hengeveld (left) and Johnny
Campbell (right) were happy after
their Team Race win.
Paul Krause got the holeshot in
the Four-5troke race, followed by
Hengeveld and Chris Blais.
