Al Craighead

[Brian Graham]

It is a tough day for many junior formula car guys with the news of Al's passing last night. I can tell you that Al was THE biggest race fan I have ever met with a soft spot for junior formula car racing. He raced F1600 with us at BGR and you could tell he was in his happy place every time he belted into his beloved Lola. He is well know to so many of the apexspeed family with his time at eformulacarnews.com, he leaves a big void in our world. A true friend to us all. Godspeed Al. RIP.

Brian Graham.

[marshall9]

Oh no.....

RIP Al.
Condolences to family and friends.

[Gokart Mozart]

Al was a terrific guy, and always seemed giddy to be involved in something at the track.

I first met him in 2003 when I tagged along to Mid-Ohio to photograph the USF2000 race that a friend of mine was racing in. I met Al in the paddock and he offered to get me a media pass as if I was a long-lost friend, and the next thing I knew I was jumping fences with a camera that was a minnow compared to the pro photographers next to me. All was well and I've never forgotten what a neat experience it was, all thanks to Al.

As Brian said, he loved promoting the junior formulas of racing, and his donation to the sport will be seen for years to come via the drivers he helped along the way who no-doubt have even more to say about what a great guy Al was.

May the Leafs win the Stanley Cup this year, friend- I'm sure you'll have the best seat in the house.

Jacques

[Purple Frog]

Al was the very definition of enthusiast.
Always with a smile.
Over the years we've run into him on pit lanes, guard rails, podiums, paddocks, trade shows and bars all over North America.
Introduced me to the superiority of Canadian beer.
Always enjoyed our conversations. He was always looking for the scoop.
Usually with a recorder and camera in hand.
Working with him at Formula Car Magazine was a blast.
I'm sure he is now walking up and down heaven's pit lane.

[Cole Morgan]

I spent a lot of time with Al and Rob over the years, usually enjoying a beer, and laughing a lot. That's how I'll remember Al, he was always cheerful. Smiling, and laughing.

If more people had the passion for their work and friends that Al had, the world would be a much better place.

I can't remember the whole story, but one night of drinking ended up with a group of us calling him Craig Alhead for like a year. We'd call him that and he'd just laugh, shake his head, and off he'd go with his recorder and notepad to get the next scoop.

Rest Easy Buddy.

[stonebridge20]

Yesterday was a tough day on the good guys.

Rest in peace Al. You did great work while on this earth.

[jim morgan]

Al was a joy to be around ,any time with him was time well spent. Really knew his stuff,really loved junior racing.

[MikeT]

Rick Hayward...A mutual friend of myself and Al said that

"He was a good guy.
I liked that he did things that interested him and did not follow the beaten path."

That is so true...how many of us would have loved to travel from track to track and just enjoy the racing. It didn't take much to keep Al happy.

I've known Al since the early 90's and I can't remember a happier guy..especially at the track!

I would like to think that he's up there chatting it up with Dan Weldon as they wait for Aryton and Gilles to get on the track

[Purple Frog]

As a side note...
One of the pics I posted above I cropped to show his famous figure.
Here I am going to post the uncropped version.
Both Cole and Jim Morgan with Al in the Mid-Ohio paddock.

Janice kept sort of in touch and reported that Al had discovered love and had a great lady caring for him.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Denise.

[mmi16]

RIP Al.

[SStadel]

Rob told me that Al was ill. I did not realize how bad it was. Al was a great guy and wrote some very kind and professional articles about my team and myself. I remember making an offhand comment about something and Al said "Hey we've got to write a story about that!" He went out of his way to get the info and write the story. It was great! I wish my web guy was 1/10th as gung ho as Al was. RIP Al.

[Robins Ken]

Never a dull moment with Al around. The food table and comraderie were never far away.

I found out this weekend at Trois Rivieres. Many were saddened by the news.

RIP from the Toyo F1600 Ontario and Quebec paddock. Hope you get to meet up with Alec Purdy for a beer in motorsport heaven.

KR.

[Robins Ken]

Doug, bump this thread to the best forum to get the Monday morning exposure it deserves please.

Thanks. CANADA.

[a. pettipas]

Sincerest condolences to Al's family and friends.

[Tim Minor]

My sympathy goes out to Denise and all of Al's friends and family.He was the face of amature open wheel racing in Canada and the Usa.Him and Rob did a great job of covering all of the open wheel racing.I stiil have the article on my wall in my shop he wrote in 2009.It will be a permanent fixture in my shop.
Gods Speed My Friend
Tim MinorFc88

[David G]

This past weekend the Toyo series participated in the Al Craighead Memorial Canam cup. It was nice to see Al's parents and wife on hand, and to present the winners trophy. The winner was Scott Andrews. He was very gracious in receiving this award. Also, the race itself was a barn burner, Al would have loved it!!