Tributes paid to legendary motorbike builder and racer from Shrewsbury
Tributes have been paid to a championship-winning racer, film stuntman and award-winning motorcycle builder who has died.
Ron Jones, of Wenlock Road, Shrewsbury, died at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, aged 90.
The road racer and vintage motorcycle restorer – who even made his own leathers while racing – died on October 11 following a short illness.
Mr Jones was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and member of the Shropshire section of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club.
A mechanic by trade, he started working at the age of 14 for Atlas Foundry in Welsh Bridge, before moving to Vincent Greenhous, completing his service in the armed forces and finally ending up at the water board.
Mr Jones first became interested in road racing through his friendship with motorcycle dealer and fellow Shropshire racer, Fron Purslow.
A grassroots racer
Friend and motorbike racer John Carter, 69, from St Georges, in Telford, said: "Ron was a real example of a grassroots racer.
"Financing and preparing his own machines. His mother also helped him make his first set of racing leathers."
Such was Mr Jones' ability on two wheels, he entered the Isle of Man Clubmans TT – and, on both occasions, he was loaned engines by the BSA factory for his Gold Star machines.
"Whilst Ron did also ride his BSAs on short circuits, he is best known for his excellent performances using his self-developed bike," said Mr Carter.
"With limited resources, he raced a pre-war design Triumph Tiger 70 250cc machine between 1951 to 1956.
"Over these years many modifications were introduced to improve engine performance and machine handling.
"This included making his own camshafts and hardening components using a domestic fireplace.
"Such developments, added to his undoubted racing skills, led to wins and many high-finishing positions at circuits now long gone."
First TV road race
But it was at the Welsh race circuit, Aberdare Park, which is still used today, where Mr Jones first starred – in front of a live TV audience.
"During the July 1955 event, Ron won the first road race to be televised in Great Britain, riding his 250cc Triumph," said Mr Carter.
"At one race meeting Ron’s prize money of £55 was equivalent to almost 10 weeks of his normal wages at the time."
After retiring from racing, Mr Jones became a respected restorer of much older motorcycles to the highest of standards, both mechanically and cosmetically.
He went on to win numerous awards up and down the country and later turned his attention to tuning the engine of sprint racer Peter Thomas, from Dawley.
"He prepared the engines of Peter’s machines, the first being his Hagon BSA 250cc, which became known as the PRS – Pete/Ron/Special," added Mr Carter.
"Later, a 1938, 250cc Triumph Tiger 70, similar to Ron’s successful road racing machine, received the benefit of his methodical attention until only a few months ago.
"Proof that Ron’s mechanical skill was still evident is that Peter has only had one engine problem in his six years of sprint racing.
"Occasionally, Ron accompanied Pete to racing events, where he seemed to revel in the atmosphere of competition motorcycles and the people involved, once again.
"He was a very knowledgeable gentleman with a sharp memory and, despite advancing years, remained active almost to the end.
"He also had a very keen sense of humour when amongst his friends. An inspiration to some, we shall not see his like again."
Inspiration
Mr Thomas, 68, who himself only began racing motorbikes aged 63, said Mr Jones was simply 'an inspiration'.
"He was stuntman in the Monocled Mutineer film, which starred the likes of Timothy West, as well as other films – he could just do it all," he said.
"He broke the lap record clubman's TT, the same year it was won by John Surtees.
"There's also a picture of him leading Cecil Sandford at the Welsh TT, who went on to win the world championship.
"He raced many times on the roads in Ireland and was a keen walker. He was just an inspiration.
"He used to make camshafts using a file and then harden them over the fire.
"He would spend all day making a part you could buy for £1. He was just so fastidious in everything he did."
Mr Jones is survived by his son Brian, daughter-in-law Jenny, and granddaughter Claire. His wife, Margaret died, around 20 years ago.
His funeral takes place at Emstrey Crematorium, Shrewsbury, on October 31, at 11.30am.
It is family flowers only but donations will be shared between the Midlands Air Ambulance and The League of Friends of Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
