Terry the Triumph Wins Baja

Vehicle: 1966 Triumph T120 Bonneville
ENGINE: 650cc twin-cylinder OHV
HORSEPOWER: 46hp
SPEED: 110mph
WEIGHT: 240lbs
FUEL CAPACITY: 2.5gal
RANGE: 100miles

Triumph motorcycles from the 1960s are synonymous with ‘desert sled’ off-road racers, but they never did well in Baja California long-distance racing. By the time the Baja 1000 was inaugurated in 1967, much lighter two-strokes from Husqvarna proved more effective, showing the path for the future. That didn’t stop the Triumph faithful from competing, including Julian Heppekausen, who has campaigned his ‘do everything’ 1966 Bonneville in desert races for ten years. His Triumph was built by Terry Prat, a motocross industry legend who spent spent 32 years at Cycle News. Julian credits Prat’s meticulous build with the Triumph’s great performance, but his class win in 2018 was a clear indication of his riding skills. It was the first class win by a Triumph in any Baja race.