[Big Injun]

Sorry I have been unable to post over the weekend as I was without a computer. I was on my way up to Santa Cruz when I received a message from Ron's wife Melanie. She and I had been talking daily about Ron's condition. I knew by the sadness in her voice that we had lost my good friend.

Ron and I first met in the early 90s when Pontiac drag racing on the West Coast was no big thing. My Dad and I met Ron at a HO Racing open house and he became one of the family. Ron spent so much time over at my folks house, with my Day and I working on our GTOs that my Mom would often say, "Ron is the son she never wanted." which gave him a great laugh.

Ron, myself, Tim Dean, Dave McGarry and Otto Tharp were the founding committee members of Pontiac Drag Days that operated an 8 race season at LACR in Palmdale from 1994 until the track closed in July of 2007. Ron was tireless in his work to help grow Pontiac Drag Days and in our efforts to make PDD a family fun program.

Ron loved Pontiac racing! Ron's first '65 GTO was a nice street/strip car that we put together. He and I would drive our GTOs to tracks around SoCal and always had a ton of fun.

Like most of us, Ron always wanted to go faster. That chance came when Bill Takenabe decided to sell his '65 GTO racecar and concentrate on driving his dragster. Ron got to go fast, knocking on the 8 second wall but never getting in, but always smiling as he recalled how good the run was and how close he got.

I've lost a good friend but will forever have more memories of our times together than I can share.

Proud to have served his country, Ron's services will be held at the Riverside National Cemetery sometime early next week. When I know more, I will share the information.

Here is a shot of Ron being "Ron" and having fun at Pontiac Drag Days.

RIP my friend.