Some people were born to define what they do
Dale Walker is not a household name everywhere. But in many households on the west side of the US, he’s a legend.
If you’re into motorcycles, especially drag racers, you know how important Dale is. Several decades ago, like quite a few growing up in the then-wide-open spaces in California, Nevada, and the surrounding states, he couldn’t help but get started early – really early.
In his own words, “I just never had a chance.” From a small boy, Dale’s world was all gasoline, tires, and busted knuckles. With his dad, Ray, as chief instigator, Dale was working on and piloting drag boats, motorcycles, and cars well before he got his license. He turned this passion into a life of wrenching, riding, driving, and creating. His company, Holeshot Performance, was a staple in the racing community for 45 years! Cycle World covered Dale’s many exploits on Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki motorcycles – among many others – several times over the years.
It’s important to know about and recognize Dale Walker. He’s one of the standouts among countless others that’ve walked in similar boots and helmets who’ve built their entire lives around messing with vehicles. They’ve contributed to innumerable advancements, created many new swear words, and – most importantly – fostered a community with a bond like no other. They are responsible for an awful lot of great times and memories; an influence and legacy not many of us ever even get the chance to create.
This is not an official piece on Dale. I’d met him once, and know some of his friends and colleagues, all of whom have a serious amount of respect for him. I’m writing this out of that same respect. This guy, right here, is real. A genuine gearhead.
You owe it to yourself to learn more about a life lived with ten-tenths enthusiasm and purpose. Even as he’s fighting stage 4 cancer, just this past weekend he was at the dragstrip with a new project in 100-degree weather. Dale was not there to watch, but to pilot a beast of a motorcycle in yet another quest to find that extra few tenths of a second; to master that mechanical masterpiece. Not a thing wrong with that!
