Ron France

[Tomtall]

We spoke about Ron France in the "Prop Man" thread but thought I would add this bit on Ron here. It was Sept. 8th and 9th 2007 at the Michigan Hydroplane Racing Associations (http://www.michiganhydroplane.com/) "Wild Ones Regatta" at Grass Lake, Mi. that Ron flexed his might once again. Ron came down from his home located in Canada and showed everyone in the "A" stock hydroplane class how it's still done. He Started every heat both days on the outside lane and to the best of my knowledge won every heat he raced. He was in the company of some fast people also. At an age that most older men are content to walk to their mailbox everyday and call it exercise, Ron goes toe to toe with racers a quarter his age and shows them that age is not a factor in the sport he likes so much. Hats off to you Ron. :cool: :cool: :cool:

[Andrew 4CE]

Congrats to Ron!!! Racing is his life and he's one of the best at it! I don't know a better prop builder and one of the best wood craftsmen I know.

[john lawrence]

Good pics and writeup of Pat and Ron France Tomtall !!! We dont know how much of a asset he is to boat racing!!!! John Lawrence

[Joe Silvestri 36-S]

No question, Ron France is a true gentleman both on and off the race course. I make sure I stop by Ron's trailer at the races to talk to him and enjoy every minute of it, making sure I do more listening than talking.

[Brian10sCSH]

Ron France is truely one of the good guys. Tough clean driver and a gentleman on the beach. Also has been known to tap out a mean wheel more than once.

Great Guy!!

[Tom Heighington]

I just got into stock OB racing this year (at the ripe old age of 44, so hopefully I'll go as long as Ron!) and I am fortunate enough to have a Ron France built boat ... Ron has been quite helpful with some insight and a fair amount of encouragement, all in his own rather quiet well thought out manner (like someone else mentioned, you want to listen more so then talk when you get the opportunity) I've had the pleasure of meeting several real quality people in my relatively brief time involved in SO racing, and Ron and his wife Pat are in that group ... if only I could get my hands on another one of his A props!

Tom Heighington
#44ce

[aojesus]

I raced J and A with Kenny and Gary France. Mr. France built them some very nice boats and they were always fast. They have always been very nice people to talk with and to compete against. They always had a little (I can't spell it) dahkzind dog. Many great memories of the Frances.

RussW