Alistair Johnson - Profile
In 1977, 1978 and even 1979, there were no such things as National Titles in Australia, but that didn't stop hundreds of kids racing wherever and whenever they could. Initially interclub competitions sorted out "who was the best", then came interstate challenges. Many of the early pioneers pushed the limits of the sport, the technology and were the reason the sport eventually became organised. Alistair Johnson is one of many early racers from the period pre-1980.
Alistair was a member of the Ryde Eastwood BMX Club in NSW (one of Australia's first clubs) and began racing in 1977, shortly after the club began holding races. Ryde Eastwood in the early days ran seasons - Autumn, Winter and Spring; and pennants were awarded for each season. Riders were awarded points for each race and the total points at the end of the year determined your class position in the Club Championship. A top 10 position meant that you carried that number on your plate for the following year in racing.
At the end of 1978, Alistair held the #3 plate, and at the end of 1979, he won the Ryde Championship meaning he could run the #1 in the year of 1980. In 1981, the ABMXA was formed, giving riders such as Alistair a chance to compete on a National level with other riders. When the Aussie Titles were held at Ryde, Alistair came third in the Open Class. He went on to win the 1982 NSW State Title, and placed 6th in the State titles the following year, before retiring after the 1983 Aussie Titles in Ashmore QLD.
In addtion to racing, Alistair was amongst the very first to play with doing "tricks" on a BMX bike, which of course went on to be known as Freestyle. Those skills would become invaluable for Sponsored Riders like Alistair and in 1979 he featured in a Television Commercial "Do the Right Thing" (NSW anti litter campaign) where he can be seen doing a one handed wheelie and a Rock Walk. Alistair was sponsored by Quicksilver (1979-1983) and ran some of the earliest BMX schools including one for the Macquarie University Sports Department, and in Hobart.