Legendary Designer/Builder/Owner Ron Jones Jr. Passes
The sport of hydroplane racing has lost an icon.
Ron Jones Jr. passed away at the age of 67 on Sunday evening, April 21st. Family members were at his bedside.
Ron, better known to friends as JR, was the third link in a 3 generation career of designing and building many of the finest hydroplane racing craft. He followed his father, Ron Jones Sr. and grandfather Ted Jones.
The Jones family pioneered the use of composite materials in race boat construction and led the way in conversion from front engine ‘shovel nose’ hydroplanes to the current rear engine style. JR was in the middle of the effort to add safety measures to hydroplane racing, including the adaptation of the F-16 style cockpit & canopy. Hundreds of race drivers have survived accidents that prior to the work by the Jones’ may well have wound up as fatalities.
In addition to building race boats, Ron Jones Jr. also had three stints as an owner, beginning in the early 90’s when he built the then Coors Dry in less than 60 days, and it later that year won the race in San Diego. He also campaigned the former Circus Circus triple-wing hull in the late 90’s and teamed with Dr. Ken Muscatel to campaign a hydroplane in the mid 2000’s.
His last Unlimited hydroplane project was building the U-88 Degree Men hull for Billy & Jane Schumacher in 2011.
An extensive interview with JR was included in the May 2019 Unlimited News Journal.
H1 Unlimited extends our condolences to Ron’s family.
Legendary Designer/Builder/Owner Ron Jones Jr. Passes
The sport of hydroplane racing has lost an icon.
Ron Jones Jr. passed away at the age of 67 on Sunday evening, April 21st. Family members were at his bedside.
Ron, better known to friends as JR, was the third link in a 3 generation career of designing and building many of the finest hydroplane racing craft. He followed his father, Ron Jones Sr. and grandfather Ted Jones.
The Jones family pioneered the use of composite materials in race boat construction and led the way in conversion from front engine ‘shovel nose’ hydroplanes to the current rear engine style. JR was in the middle of the effort to add safety measures to hydroplane racing, including the adaptation of the F-16 style cockpit & canopy. Hundreds of race drivers have survived accidents that prior to the work by the Jones’ may well have wound up as fatalities.
In addition to building race boats, Ron Jones Jr. also had three stints as an owner, beginning in the early 90’s when he built the then Coors Dry in less than 60 days, and it later that year won the race in San Diego. He also campaigned the former Circus Circus triple-wing hull in the late 90’s and teamed with Dr. Ken Muscatel to campaign a hydroplane in the mid 2000’s.
His last Unlimited hydroplane project was building the U-88 Degree Men hull for Billy & Jane Schumacher in 2011.
An extensive interview with JR was included in the May 2019 Unlimited News Journal.
H1 Unlimited extends our condolences to Ron’s family.