RXC: Al, what are you doing now?
Right now I am doing renovation work for Sears that entails installing Kitchens and bathrooms, knocking down walls. It’s something new every day and I’m enjoying it.

Give us a little background on your racing career.
Well, in 1979, I was 80cc Canadian schoolboy champion. I turned pro a few years later and in 1988, I won the 125cc National championship. In 1989, I managed to win 125, 250 and 500cc national championships and I kind of achieved my goal. It was funny, maybe I didn’t set my goals high enough but I kind of got burned out after that. I raced for two more years and in 1996, I came out and won a one-race 125cc CMA national title. All my championships were on Hondas except my schoolboy title. I rode Kawasaki for that, and also raced Yamahas for a few years.

What was one race that stands out for you?
Probably the Montreal supercross in 1986. The Canadian SX series was going along and the first one was a snowfest in Calgary. My mechanic, Joe Skidd and I got up in the morning, looked at all the snow and headed back to BC! I was pretty confident in my riding then and at the BC SX, I came from the back of the pack to get second. I was a half a bike length behind Ross. I went back out east for Montreal and Marshall Plumb, Ross’ mechanic, was telling me that Ross was unbeatable, that nobody was close.
             
I was thinking, ‘Geez, I almost beat him last week!’ It was a two night event and the first night I was winning but it was muddy and I came up on a lapper and washed the front end out. So Ross ended up winning. The next night, I got the holeshot and took off for the win.

The really crazy thing about that night was that I was sitting on the start line and I looked down and the tire was flat! I told Joe to just fill it up and leave it—I will win anyway. That’s how confident I was. The next morning, we went out and opened the box van and, sure enough, the tire was flat.

That’s kind of weird for a guy to win all three titles and then, next season, not be in the running.
The next season, I got mono before the season started and the first race I ran the first 250 moto and last 500 moto. I was dead tired. I guess I lost my motivation. It was tough for me because I was racing against guys that were drawing a salary and I was beating all of them. I never got that and, financially, it was hard on me. Back then, I really didn’t make a lot of money after all the bills were paid.

So what was your final year?
My final year was 1991. I was on Yamahas, I raced a few nationals and then, on my way to the next race, my tire blew on my van. It was kind of frustrating and I turned the van around and went home. That was it for me.

You raced down in the U.S. for years, even making the cover of MXA when Lamson was running over you. What were your best finishes?
Probably around 14th or 15th, both outdoors and indoors. It was tough because, back then, you never practiced supercross. You would go there and you wouldn’t jump something in practice—it just took you that long to get used to the track. Then, in your race, that would be the first time you jump it! I made about half of the 250 mains that I raced in. I also won a golden state national, it was super muddy. That was the same weekend that Rick Johnson punched Ron Lechien in the face. I was also in MXA for that race as well.

Let’s talk about your comeback last year. I know it created a lot of controversy on the internet forums and in your area.
Well I hadn’t had a bike for years and a friend of mine had a bike I could use. It was a chance to make a little money. Honda had a great contingency program; I literally hadn’t ridden in years. It was a chance to get my suspension company some more business as well, being at the track every weekend.

There was talk that the younger kids were going to kick my ass, which also motivated me. The more I rode, the better I went in my comeback. The sad thing was there seemed to be different rules for me. A lot of pros have come back and raced in a lower class, it never seemed to be a problem. I am 40 years old and not a serious racer anymore. If I was a kid getting beat by an old guy like myself, it would just make me step up my training and riding to beat the geezer. It didn’t turn out like that; there were some of the dads that really got bent out of shape by me riding.

What did you think of Rollerball? Was there a lot of animosity between you two?
We were friends. The thing about him is that he was so determined, so physically fit. He was also making a lot of money where he didn’t have to worry about anything but racing. To beat him was pretty tough. I think I was a more talented rider than him but his determination was what enabled him to beat me. He was an amazing rider for sure.

What was your favorite place or track to ride?
Well the track in Italy that I raced the Motocross des Nations was probably the best track ever. I raced in Manitoba for a few years, and it really was a great place. The people were pumped to see you, very friendly and got excited to watch. You know, I would go and throw things out of my van and the atmosphere was awesome. They were really nice people.

Let’s talk about the MXDN for a bit. Tell us about Maggiora, Italy in 1986.
It was really cool; it was a smaller track right in town. It had big up and downhills, lots of drop offs. That was the year the Americans went 1-2-3. Ross had gotten injured and they recruited Arnaud Benaurd. I said to him, ‘Hey this is a big deal, don’t crash out or do anything stupid. Just follow me and I will help you.’ We didn’t even get a lap done and he blew by me on this jump and endoed and broke his collarbone! The whole U.S. team was standing right there, including Roger Decoster, just shaking their heads.

In the 125/250 race, I was in the front row and got an unreal start. I was running 2nd and O’Mara was in first for a long time. My mechanic Joe, couldn’t tell the difference between the colored number plates, so we didn’t know what place I was in. I had these huge blisters on my hands and ended up sixth. I probably would’ve dug deeper had I know I was in second. Oh well, that’s how it goes. [Laughs] I raced three times for Canada in the MXDN, and it was an honour every time.

Is there anyone you want to thank?
Yeah for sure, I want to thank all the people that supported me over the years. Joe Skidd, Tony Corning at Yamaha, Bob Underhill when I first started. There was also a guy when I was in 80s named Audrey Van Der Veen. I am sure that I’m forgetting people!