Northern Notes: Tony says Canada

 

By Danny Brault
Photos by James Lissimore

I had an interesting conversation with Tony Alessi two nights ago, around ten o’clock at night my time (7pm Tony’s time). Tony, his son Mike and the MotoConcepts team had finished up another day of testing, training and trying to be better than the next guy and his bike, and Tony was on his way to pick up some suspension guys from the airport.

Earlier in the day, Tony had arranged a time for Mike and I to chat; he was calling back to make sure I got what I needed in my call with Mike, and if there was anything that he could add. He also apologized for “being quick with me,” letting me know why he was in such a rush (picking up suspension guy at the airport) the first time we spoke that day. I told him no worries and never thought anything of it. These race teams don’t run on biscuits and gravy, so I understand it’s go-go-go for everyone, truck driver to racer. I would be more surprised to receive a calm, patient conversation with a team manager, let alone Tony Alessi. In only my first conversation with him, I can tell you that guy is on it and moving a mile a minute, at least in the 20 minutes I spent talking to him. I can see where Mike gets his energy from.

Jokes aside, I can tell Tony has a genuine passion for moto, one that may be overwhelming at times, it’s been proven. I noted three things during my phone call with Tony: he really loves being part of his son’s racing career, enjoys building the best bike that he can and feels that Canada will become the outdoor choice for other major race teams in the US (or as Tony calls it, “the rest of the year,” because Supercross is really the point of it all, he says. Everything else, as they say, is just ordinary.)

I only asked a few questions, maybe one and a half, but that was enough to send Tony into a spiral about why Canada rocks (we already knew it did, but it’s nice to hear other people say it from time to time).

“Do you know how good it feels to race in less than 100 degree weather?!” he says, noting the temperature difference between Canadian and US racing. “It’s amazing. It’s not fun working in those hot temperatures; it’s hard on the bikes and equipment. Canada, you get the same thing (racing outdoors) but spend less doing it.”

Compared to racing the AMA outdoor nationals, Tony says Canada is a fraction of the cost and believes we’re going to see more and more teams choosing to race our series, instead of the US. Crazy? Well, Tony makes some interesting points as to why this could happen.

“I give it five years and you see many of them coming to Canada. Supercross is everything and then there is the rest of the year. The US nationals are expensive, you have to criss -ross all over the country and Canada is just straight across.”

The point that really stood out to me, in why Tony is digging Canada right now, was the parity between riders’ bikes in AMA racing. It’s true that only a handful of guys have access to ‘factory’ engines, suspensions and parts. And really, does Ryan Villopoto or James Stewart need anymore advantage, other than their talent, over Johnny Privateer? Probably not.

“This year we (MotoConcepts) proved that we could build a bike—anyone out there can build our bike, the parts are all sold at stores—that is competitive with the best of them, winning heat races and racing up front in Supercross this year,” says Tony. “But it’s not fair that a guy like Villopoto can get parts that no one else can have. It doesn’t matter how much money you will spend, they won’t give you the parts. I’ve tried.”

When MotoConcepts, Mike Alessi and Vince Friese are in Canada, however, they are on par with everyone else. Not to take away from the Canadian teams, who spend a lot of time and money on developing bikes and maintaining them, but we know it’s not to the same degree as big money America; it’s not often you see ‘un-obtainum’ parts bolted to a Canadian plated machine. “It’s fair racing; our bike is at the same level as the guys we’re racing against,” adds Tony.

With those things in mind—less travel, less expense and more equal machinery—Tony Alessi feels more teams and riders will continue jumping on the wagon and driving north. Every week the MotoConcepts team manager is receiving phone calls from others in the industry, curious to what Canada is all about, and you know that Tony tells them. Really, other than that ‘minor’ 5-position penalty in the first moto at Kamloops (oh, and the race trailer egging and toilet papering on Saturday night), Tony and his son Mike have nothing but positive things to say about racing in Canada.

“The people have been great, the racing is fun and I enjoy it. I don’t have anything bad to say about Canada. It’s a refreshing change,” said Mike after two weekends in Canada.

At the Regina round, a Dunlop tire representative is flying up to attend the race and check out all the hype, see if Tony’s telling the truth. “I’m telling you,” he says, “In 5 years it will be fifty-fifty Canadian and American teams. It will be like a North American series.”

As a dreamer myself, I like the thought of more “MotoConcepts” teams choosing to race up north. They don’t take away rides from Canadians, but instead add more opportunities (ie Jeremy Medaglia was inches away from riding for them this year until … stuff happened) and increase the competition (which in turn should develop faster Canadian riders).

We’ll see what happens, if Tony’s prediction comes true. He could be right. Canadian racing fans knew that one day these hired guns from the US would create exposure; maybe it’s finally catching on with a name like Alessi on the entry list?