Ricky Brabec’s 2020 Dakar Rally victory was built over several seasons rather than a single breakthrough ride. He won the overall motorcycle classification in Saudi Arabia and became the first American in history to win the event. Johnny Campbell was central to the long-term effort that brought him there.

Campbell left full-time racing in 2008 after claiming his 11th Baja 1000 victory. His next phase moved away from competing for championships and toward building teams capable of delivering them. As the owner and manager of Johnny Campbell Racing, and as a key leader in Honda’s global rally programme, he took on the task of developing an American contender for Dakar.

Campbell expected the project to take roughly three years. Brabec had to learn the event and its navigation, gain experience, endure failure and rebuild stronger. Rally veterans Jimmy Lewis and Kendall Norman joined the effort, contributing to technical coaching, navigation strategy and mental preparation.

The plan included a serious setback: during his third year, Brabec suffered a mechanical problem while fighting for the win. He returned in 2020 and completed the mission. For Campbell, guiding Brabec to the top in Saudi Arabia stands alongside his own riding achievements as one of the defining moments of his career.

The story is ultimately about Campbell’s shift from successful rider to team owner and manager. His work with Brabec put his racing knowledge to use in organisation, rider development and decision-making across a rally-raid campaign. Campbell discussed that transition in episode 16 of the Bore & Stoke podcast.