Features 18 Mar 2014

Unplugged: Ford Dale

Things you never knew about the factory KTM contender.

Image: Andy McGechan/Bikesportnz.com.

Image: Andy McGechan/Bikesportnz.com.

My Way

Greatest moment of your career?

Winning the MX2 Australian Motocross Championship in 2012 with Carlton Dry Honda. It was awesome to have all my hard work pay off. Now I’ve got to keep going until I win another one!

Toughest race ever?

That final round of 2012 at Coolum was mentally the toughest race I’ve ever done. It’s my home track and I’m usually unbeatable there, but nerves got the better of me and I got smoked. I only just scraped through with enough points for the title.

Long-term goal?

To head to either Europe or the US and race against the best riders in the world, then win an international championship.

Favourite track?

Moree and Conondale. I love fast tracks where you carry a tonne of speed and momentum.

If you weren’t a racer, you would be?

I’d make money with some business maybe, but to tell the truth I’ve never thought about it. I don’t know anything else except for racing. I’ve ridden since I was four and it’s all I’ve ever dreamt about.

Arch-rival?

The Moss brothers. I’ve raced them throughout my career and they’re definitely the longest-standing rivals I have.

Greatest inspiration?

My son, Hurley. He inspires me to win and to be the best I can be. It’s a great feeling being a dad.

Superstitions?

I used to like a certain pair of goggles and wear red undies when I raced, but I got rid of those things. It’s all nonsense, really – nothing changes how you ride except what you do at the time.

Training methods?

I do a lot of swimming and gym work, and I’ve been hitting the rowing machine a lot more this year. I’ve got bung knees so I can’t run, but I’ve knuckled down with the rowing machine and I’m loving it. It’s hard work, but the results are showing.

Goal for 2014?

I want to win the MX Nationals and Supercross titles and stay safe.

Off the Wall

Best all-time moto DVD/video?

I can’t remember which Terrafirma it was, but that one with Jeremy McGrath riding the track with the Fox chopper filming him has to be one of the most memorable scenes from any moto movie I’ve watched.

Non-bike related hobbies?

Hanging with family and friends, surfing and renovating my house.

Do you read your pit board?

Yep. I try to read it all the time to check what’s going on.

What do you drive?

A Mercedes Sprinter thanks to Mercedes Benz Sunshine Coast. Even if I didn’t have one for free I’d drive to the dealership right now and buy one. I absolutely love it.

Favourite magazine?

Zoo probably.

What’s on the iPod?

Rise Against, a bit of Eminem. I usually listen to whatever my flatmate Harley Quinlan listens to!

Best thing about the MX Nationals?

The racing is the best part for sure. Everyone works hard away from everyone else, then it all comes to a head on the track.

Who will win the 2014 AMA Supercross?

You can’t say no to Villopoto, buty I’d love Ken Roczen to win. It’d be awesome to see a rookie take the title. In the 250s I think Adam Cianciarulo will win the East Coast and Jason Anderson will win in the West.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I’ve had over 40 broken bones since I started racing, and that’s not including my knee reconstructions!

First and Last

First bike?

A Yamaha Pee Wee 50 when I was four.

First kiss?

I was 12 when I had my first tongue kiss. It was with an older chick at my house, and while I was pumped to kiss an older girl, I didn’t like the actual kiss at all.

First proper injury?

When I was six I broke my wrist, arm and leg on a 60cc bike at a Stephen Gall training school at Biloela.

First dodgy movie scene you watched?

I can’t remember it, but I know it was awkward. I was with my parents and I was busy looking at the floor and pretending I wasn’t watching or paying attention to what was going on on the tele.

First time you got in a fight?

At primary school I got into a fight with a kid while playing handball. We both thought we’d won and it turned into fisticuffs.

Last album/song you downloaded?

Eminem – the Marshall Mathers LP 2.

Last movie you watched?

I watched The Counselor on the plane on the way back from the Tokoroa round of the New Zealand MX Nationals.

Last holiday?

At the end of 2012 I went camping and four-wheel-driving for a week up to Double Island near Rainbow Beach with my mates. It was the best trip.

Last big crash you had?

A few weeks ago I was at a private track on the Sunshine Coast and had a front-end washout in a fourth-gear sweeper. It happened so quick I whacked my head on the ground pretty good.

One or the Other

Traditional motos or mixed formats?

Traditional is okay, but I’m a big fan of 20-minute motos. It’s better for the spectators, there’re more points up for grabs, and it’s a lot more intense.

Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar?

Can I say V? I reckon V tastes the best.

PC or Mac?

Mac.

McDonalds or KFC?

Maccas.

Europe or USA?

USA.

Two-stroke or four-stroke?

Four-stroke.

MX Nationals or supercross?

MX Nationals.

Blonde or brunette?

Brunette for sure. There’s just something about ’em.

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