A conversation with Ali Clouden – ace mechanic with a passion for car racing

Question: How did you get involved in the mechanic business?

Response: As a child, I always had a passion for fixing things – bicycles, making scooters – even as a teenager, my mother bought me a motor bike…but I think I spent more time fixing than actually riding it, and that is where I think I had the passion for fixing stuff. After finishing school, I got into a mechanic shop and from there it just moved.

Question: What was business like when you first started out?

Response: I never had a problem with clientele. People[ got] to know me through Tony (a former employer) and, because I was the leading guy there … so when they heard I wasn’t working up there anymore, they just came look[ing] for me.

Question: What services do you offer?

Response: We work on light trucks, cars you know – anything gasoline, diesel, but mainly mechanic work – engines, transmission suspension, that kind of thing; servicing generally.

Question: Have you had any challenges handling the newer, computer-based vehicles?

Response: We just bought our fourth scanner about six months ago, because some of these vehicles – you’re lost without a scanner, and a lot of times, you have to go and research the information because the technology varies from car to car… so, with the scanner, that will guide you in the right direction.

In the event that we have something that we’re having a problem with, we have people who we collaborate with overseas that we can talk to who have extensive training, so that usually works out for us.

The younger guys (at the garage) are very good with the diagnostic machine; that is one of the most challenging areas right now, because sometimes you would get certain codes and to interpret those codes, that is another set of research again, but they usually get around it.

Question: What were some of your most memorable encounters over the 23 years of operation?

Response: Racing. Why I say that – we used to basically make most of the performance parts for our car and we won the championship [for] five consecutive years, and that is compliments good mechanic creativity. Once you have a passion for something, it will take you to the limits.

I wasn’t involved for the past five years because I didn’t like the direction it’s been taking, but I’ve been getting some challenges, so I’m kind of easing back in.

Question: You were voted Best Mechanic in the Best of SVG 2017 Awards – what difference is it likely to make?

Response: It wasn’t really a surprise to me. If you weren’t offering a good service to begin with, they (clients) wouldn’t come back, or if they weren’t very satisfied, they wouldn’t even bother to comment, but the fact that they are very satisfied, that is why I think they went and voted for us.

Personally, I think it’s a very good thing, because there’s a little more to life than just collecting money – the thank you, showing appreciation – all that is very good motivation for people to do better.

Ali’s Garage is located at Villa Flat. You may call the office at: 457-4343 to make an appointment.