Engine man Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 I noticed on here that Ron passed away in 1993. I remember asking his old mate Rick France what had happened to Ron, and he would only say that "..it was a bad business..." Not sure what he meant by that....does anyone on here know? Incidentally it was at one of the Golden Greats meetings (2001? ) when I last saw Rick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 I am interested in this myself-I recall Ron was one of the first riders to wear contact lenses-he got to the 1962 World Final I think-I recall he and Rick worked together. Did Ron leave any family-he was a tough customer as I recall-I think he rode only for the Bees. Thank you engine man for bringing Ron's name to this forum-another somewhat forgotten name from the past who should be remembered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Ron Mountford was in Birmingham's team from 1950 until the promotion folded in 1957, then he moved over to Coventry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Thanx starghost-forgot that-do you know when Ron was born?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 I remember a rider who rode for Stoke in the 70's and 80's I think his name was Stuart Mountford who was I believe an Aussie were they related. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Don't think they were related spin king. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Coventry programme recently had a piece about Ron who was my favourite rider at Brandon in the late 60's, 70's. It said he had heart problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Don't think they were related spin king. I am sure that I read somewhere that Stuart Mountford was the son of a former rider, assumed that the this must have been his father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Spin king-the father of Stuart could have been Jack Mountford-but definitely not Ron I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Spin king-the father of Stuart could have been Jack Mountford-but definitely not Ron I reckon. Agreed; Ron was English, Stu was Australian. I actually think this had been mentioned before on here, and it was dismiised then. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Thanks for clearing that up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 This is a good thread-BUT does anyone know anything about Ron e.g. when did he die, the circumstances etc etc. I got the same result when I asked about Jim Lightfoot once-come on you old Bees fans-Ron was a big name in his day and shouldn't be forgotten!Somebody's got to know something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Ron died in March 1993. The Speedway Star of the time reports long term heart problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine man Posted August 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Thanks for the info. Ron was one of the most exciting riders of that era in the old National League and early British League days. He used to keep a garage in the black country I believe, and that was where Rick France worked with him. Jim Lightfoot was also mentioned here in this thread....I thought Jim might still be alive, does anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 engine man-that is right that Ron had a garage and Rick worked there-how did Rick seem when you saw him that time. I think Jim is still alive but nobody seems to know much.Interestingly enough all 3 of these bees had one World Final app. -Ron as noted in 62, Jim in 63 and Rick in 67. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 In 1963 we had an odd occurrence in the reserve positions for the World Final @ Wembley as the British Reserve was a Pole naturalised as either English or Dutch (Tadeuz Teodorowicz) and the Continental Reserve was an Englishman (Ron Mountford) as the original reserve Antonin Kasper (Czech) was unfit to attend. After all that neither Ron or Teo were called on to ride after the opening parade. Then, just a year later, Teo fought his last great battle following his West Ham crash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I remember a rider who rode for Stoke in the 70's and 80's I think his name was Stuart Mountford who was I believe an Aussie were they related. He came over to ride for Paisley in 1975 . Cant say for sure , but i would very much doubt if he was related . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Red Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Stuart Mountford was not a relation of Ron Ron Mountford and Rick France had a garage at Bloxwich A member of the Brandon trackstaff in the 60s used to tell me how he had to go out and repaint the white kickboards around the circuit where Ron had left tyremarks I believe Rick France made an appearance at Wolverhampton's recent celebrations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine man Posted August 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 That's great to hear that Rick France still appears here and there. When I saw him several years ago, he looked well and I believe he was still in the motor trade at that time - should think he's retired now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 A member of the Brandon trackstaff in the 60s used to tell me how he had to go out and repaint the white kickboards around the circuit where Ron had left tyremarks.... Now that I can believe, although I wasn't a Coventry fan back then. I've got a terrible memory but one thing I've never forgotten is the sight of Ron smashing into the fence on the fourth bend where I stand. He was way out in front so heaven knows what he was doing; perhaps a lapse of concentration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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