No Easy Way: The Stephen Gall Story

A Life of Speed, Passion, and Yamaha Loyalty

Now, many of those stories have been brought together in No Easy Way: The Stephen Gall Story, a 328-page autobiography covering more than 60 years of motorcycles, motorsport, and the people who helped shape one of Australia’s most respected racing careers.

For Gally, the motivation to finally tell the full story came from the people around him. “The inspiration to write the book really came from so many people,” he explained. “For years, people have been saying to me, ‘Gally, you should write a book about your career.’ It has been so diverse. I’ve raced so many different bikes, raced sprint cars and midgets, worked on the Mad Max movies and trained riders through my off-road schools for many years. People kept telling me I had a story to tell, so we finally put it all together.”

Across its 28 chapters, No Easy Way follows Gally from his earliest days on two wheels through to his rise as one of Australia’s most influential motorcycle competitors. It starts from his early childhood and the influences that led him to a world of speed, and runs right through to his current work as a Yamaha ambassador, adventure rider, and supporter of Australian motocross. “The book starts right back at the beginning, from when I was a little kid on my dad’s farm, cutting laps through the grass on a minibike, and it goes right through until today,” he said. “It covers more than 60 years, so it is very diverse.”

That diversity is central to Gall’s story. While many know him as a motocross legend and four-time Mr Motocross champion, his career has stretched well beyond one discipline. He has raced motocross, supercross, dirt track, desert racing on two wheels, as well as speedway and circuit racing on four wheels.

He has also worked in film, including on Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa, adding another unexpected chapter to a life already rich with stories. “It’s interesting when people look at me, because they don’t always know exactly which part of my life they know me from,” he said. “Was I a motocross racer? Did I race sprint cars and midgets? Was I involved in the movie industry? I’ve done all these things because opportunities have come up, people have asked me to get involved and I’ve always loved being part of it.”

Gall said choosing one favourite story from the book is almost impossible, but one recognition still stands out. “I think probably the best accolade was being inducted into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame. To be recognised across the board, alongside so many great motorsport people, is a very special honour.”

The book also includes plenty of behind-the-scenes moments from across Gall’s racing life and beyond, including stories involving Anthony Gunter and the Mad Max productions. There is a whole chapter on Anthony Gunter and some of the things the pair got up to back in the day. There's also a chapter about the Mad Max movies, including Fury Road and Furiosa, the two movies I worked on.

Gall’s relationship with Yamaha is one of the most important threads running through the book. His connection with the brand spans 52 years, from racing through to ambassador work, rider training, adventure riding, and ongoing support for the motorcycle community.

Sean Goldhawk, Marketing Manager Land Mobility at Yamaha Motor Australia, said Gall’s loyalty and professionalism made him one of the most respected figures in the Yamaha family. “Stephen has been with us for more than 50 years, and that kind of commitment to one brand is something you just don’t see anymore,” Sean said. “He is also the consummate professional. He has not only been involved in teaching people, but also inspiring them to become better riders.”

That commitment to helping others has become a major part of Stephen Gall’s legacy. Through rider training, coaching and ambassador work, he has helped generations of motorcyclists develop their skills, confidence, and passion for riding.

For Gally, that connection with people remains one of the most rewarding parts of his career. “It really hits my heart to see so many people I’ve touched over the years. I get so many people come up and say they did one of my schools, and they’ve all got a smile on their face, which is really important to me.”

Although the book looks back over six decades, Gall remains active on two wheels. He continues to ride as part of his Yamaha ambassador role, spending time on the Ténéré 700 and World Raid, while also keeping a current YZ450F in the garage.

He also continues to support the next generation of Australian motocross talent, including helping raise funds for Australia’s Motocross of Nations team, attending race meetings around the country to sell merchandise, and conduct auctions to raise money. "In any race team, or any business, you are never going to be successful without a strong team," Gally explained. "The past couple of years we have managed to win the event, so the team is definitely doing a great job.”

The book was created with the support of a close team, including long-time collaborator Andrew Clubb and graphic artist Lance Turnley. “Andrew Clubb has been ghost writing with me since around 1984, when we were doing stories for Australian Dirt Bike Magazine. Clubby worked so hard on the book. Lance Turnley was also a big part of it. Lance is an old schoolmate of mine. We went to preschool together and he went on to become a graphic artist. Lance really put the book together visually and did a great job with the design and the pictures.”

Gally said he is proud of the final result and grateful for the support the book has already received. “It has come out really well, the quality is amazing,” he said. “I really love being involved in the sport, the industry, and the people around the industry. I can’t really pinpoint one single aspect of my life, but it has been great."

No Easy Way: The Stephen Gall Story is available through noeasyway.com.au/shop, MXstore and Go The Rat Racing.