BOBBATH Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 That's right midland red-the garage was at Bloxwich-thanx also starghost for reminding us of the unusual situation re reserves for 63 World Final-I'd completely forgotten that. Jim Lightfoot used to be known as Captain Jim-not just because he was the Bees capt. but I think there was a movie called that in the early 60's-funny how Jim seems to have disappeared-recall him riding at Long Eaton after he left the Bees.Incidentally does anyone know when Ron quit riding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryA Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Wasn't Ron blind in one eye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jap4bs Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 That's right midland red-the garage was at Bloxwich-thanx also starghost for reminding us of the unusual situation re reserves for 63 World Final-I'd completely forgotten that. Jim Lightfoot used to be known as Captain Jim-not just because he was the Bees capt. but I think there was a movie called that in the early 60's-funny how Jim seems to have disappeared-recall him riding at Long Eaton after he left the Bees.Incidentally does anyone know when Ron quit riding. Ron quit riding in 1972..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShirleyBee Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 (edited) I am now back in the sixties. Time, about an hour before tapes up. Me and my speedway mad mates are on our way to Oxford for a meeting against the bees. Travelling down a country road in the cotswolds a vehicle suddenly appears in the rear view mirror at great speed. Woosh. It has gone past with a trailer with two speedway bikes on. The trailer bucking about like a frightened rabbitt. The riders? Ron Mountford and Rick France of course. Straight from the garage. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute. Yet they were always there for the start. Would not be possible today of course with all the speed cameras. Great memories. Loved seeing Ron ride anywhere but if I had to pick a favourite it would have to be the County ground Exeter. To see him battling with Colin Goody on the track and then fisticuffs in the pits after. Heaven. O dear I feel a lump coming in my throat! Edited August 14, 2008 by ShirleyBee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Thanx for the memory Shirleybee-Ron and Colin Gooddy were two tough sons of guns-Ron always put on a good show at Newport also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 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. Â Â Hi Gem.....For those that are interested and asked. Â Ron Mountford - Did indeed ride at Birmingham before joining the Bees. He had bad eyesight after a work shop accident when some metal penertrated his eye. Ron and Rick (France) were the best of buddies and often travelled together and arrived late together at most away meetings! - Few tales could be told about them in this regard - neither could read a map! Â Ron badly broke his thigh at Newport I think it was in 1970. Took a long time before making a comeback late in 71, or even 72. Was not the same rider, and ultimately retired. I believe there weere some behind the scenes disagreements as well with the Ochiltree's. Â In the case of Jim Lightfoot - likewise disagreement with CO. He wanted more money and to be on par with #1 Nigel Boocock. CO wouldn't pay what he wanted and he moved to Long Eaton. Things went downhill for him there and he to retired shortly thereafter. Had Antiques shop when he retired. Â Ron later in life suffered from heart and health problems and passed away in 1993 Â Jim is still around to my knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Hi Gem.....For those that are interested and asked. Ron Mountford - Did indeed ride at Birmingham before joining the Bees. He had bad eyesight after a work shop accident when some metal penertrated his eye. Ron and Rick (France) were the best of buddies and often travelled together and arrived late together at most away meetings! - Few tales could be told about them in this regard - neither could read a map!  Ron badly broke his thigh at Newport I think it was in 1970. Took a long time before making a comeback late in 71, or even 72. Was not the same rider, and ultimately retired. I believe there weere some behind the scenes disagreements as well with the Ochiltree's.  In the case of Jim Lightfoot - likewise disagreement with CO. He wanted more money and to be on par with #1 Nigel Boocock. CO wouldn't pay what he wanted and he moved to Long Eaton. Things went downhill for him there and he to retired shortly thereafter. Had Antiques shop when he retired.  Ron later in life suffered from heart and health problems and passed away in 1993  Jim is still around to my knowledge.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Thanx Bee-as per my meory I recall Jim L. at Long Eaton-1967-he was very much past his best-how old was Ron when he died Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Thanx Bee-as per my meory I recall Jim L. at Long Eaton-1967-he was very much past his best-how old was Ron when he died ron ,rick,and jim lightfoot have all been featured in the coventry program recently jim lightfoot is indeed alive and well at this time and is an oc casional visitor to brandon and rick france was at brandon and wolverhamptons 80 year celebrations this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britmet Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 Tough guy Ron Mountford in action, Nat.Lge v Prov.Lge W'ton 1963 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 See thread on Eric Boocock-looks like Ron was about to land one on Ivor Brown-at least things were guaranteed to happen when either of those guys were around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron mike Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 I am now back in the sixties. Time, about an hour before tapes up. Me and my speedway mad mates are on our way to Oxford for a meeting against the bees. Travelling down a country road in the cotswolds a vehicle suddenly appears in the rear view mirror at great speed. Woosh. It has gone past with a trailer with two speedway bikes on. The trailer bucking about like a frightened rabbitt. The riders? Ron Mountford and Rick France of course. Straight from the garage. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute. Yet they were always there for the start. Would not be possible today of course with all the speed cameras. Great memories. Loved seeing Ron ride anywhere but if I had to pick a favourite it would have to be the County ground Exeter. To see him battling with Colin Goody on the track and then fisticuffs in the pits after. Heaven. O dear I feel a lump coming in my throat! We were travelling down to Oxford for a Cheetahs/Bees one evening when (whoosh) a Ford (Zodiac?) pulling a trailer with bikes and inside, yes, Ron & Rick. Happy Days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speediebee Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Wasn't Ron blind in one eye? Â Sorry about the late reply "HarryA". Yes Ron was either blind or had very poor vision in one eye. I understand a workshop accident in the mid 60's resulted in a shard of metal or steel splinter penetrating his eye. I seem to remember he was a long time recovering and sadly I don't think he ever regained full vision and consequently the form of earlier years. The early 60's were in my opinion his best years for the Bee's particularly his partnership with Ken McKinlay in the GB team, the second test at Coventry vs Soviet Russia was particularly memorable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedybee Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 indeed. great rider. Â I probably missed him at his peak as I started going in 1968 and he was out injured for a long time - came back tentatively in 2nd half races early 1970 and soon broke into the team again at reserve. He never made heat leader status again but probably peaked in his later career in the very successful 1971 team alongside the likes of Boocock, Simensen, Owen, Cottrell, Hill, Harrhy and Lomas. Two meetings I remember well - away at Cradley when he made his comeback and recorded a dead heat for 1st with a certain Mr Colin Pratt in one ride! Â Then there was an away match at Oxford (must have been 71) in mid summer. He was riding at 7 and returned a 0 in his first ride, then proceeded to reel off three wins in a row, using his favoured outside line, to win Coventry the meeting, 37-41 if I remember correctly. Vintage stuff... Â In 72 he was a pale shadow of the rider from 71 and quit after the Cradley away match if I remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Ron Mountford always was a particular thorn in the side of the Norwich Stars when he rode for Birmingham in the team which contained Eric Boothroyd, Alan "Whacker "Hunt and Ivor Davies. It was always a tough battle home or away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Didn't Ron have a couple of rides with West Ham? .... he certainly had a few second half rides there before finally packing it in ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Don't think Ron rode for W.H.-might have been a guest on occasion??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I cannot recall Ron Mountford riding for the Hammers, unless as a guest rider. But then 1965 saw a lot of riders in unfamiliar team line-ups following the "invention" of the new league set-up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.