TimC
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| posted on 14/8/25 at 03:43 PM |
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Ron Champion RIP
I don’t know why it seems to be me that now reports these events, but I gather from Facebook that Ron Champion, the man who started this whole
malarkey-off, passed-away this morning.
I doubt there will be too many around who can recall the early highs and lows but he and his book have, for many of us left a lasting legacy.
I can’t help wondering, with the hobby in its diminished state, the loss of key figures this year and the low traffic on here if the time has arrived
for Chris to make this site read-only…
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nick205
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| posted on 14/8/25 at 03:58 PM |
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RIP Ron
His book certainly triggered my interest in this world.
Kit car (MK Indy for me), not a Locost, but without reading his book, I doubt I'd have got started.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 14/8/25 at 04:23 PM |
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Yep, he was definitely responsible for getting so many people behind the wheel of their own creations. It was good that he managed to get to Malvern
to see his original car back in the flesh and for people to meet him in person.
RIP
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Mike Wood
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| posted on 14/8/25 at 05:06 PM |
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RIP Ron Champion.
His book was such an inspiration and still is. It gave rise to the next wave of special builders following on from those who built Austin Seven and
Ford specials in the 1950s and 1960s including those who raced and trialled them. It also must have inspired MK and other such manufacturers some of
whom started by producing book chassis.
Finally getting my book chassis project underway after buying the first edition 29 years years ago and reading Cars and Car Conversions (CCC) magazine
about the embryonic 750 Motor Club race series for 1300cc Crossflow powered book Locosts which is mentioned in the second edition of the book. This
race series still going strong including various offshoots.
I feel the same about loss of such influential figures in scratch built racing cars including Allan Staniforth, Jim Sword, John Haynes and Patrick
Stephens as well as the folk, some well known, who became production racing/road car constructors from Arthur Mallock, Chris Smith, Jem Marsh and
Graham Nairn to Bruce McLaren, John Cooper and Colin Chapman.
Not forgetting constructors still going such as Jedi Racing set up by John Corbyn which started with his one-off special.
Mike
[Edited on 14/8/25 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 14/8/25 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 14/8/25 by Mike Wood]
[Edited on 14/8/25 by Mike Wood]
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ianclark1275
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| posted on 14/8/25 at 05:26 PM |
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Saw that
We are so close to finishing now (IVA 26th Aug) after rearranging the IVA a few times
measure twice, cut once, scrap it, start again.
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JoelP
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| posted on 14/8/25 at 06:15 PM |
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Sad news. This site bumps along at least. All things get covered by the tides of time eventually. 
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craig1410
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| posted on 14/8/25 at 09:56 PM |
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Very sad news - condolences to his family and friends.
I still have my Locost, originally started in 2003 after buying "the book" in Halfords, and SVA'd in 2009. Currently SORN'd but
I'm renovating my garage and getting the Locost back on the road is one of the first priorities once I have the garage operational with some sort
of lift.
I feel like I owe so much to this man I never knew because I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of building my Locost. In fact, for me, the building
was more important than the driving, but I hope to do a lot more driving once I have rebuilt it.
Thank you Ron, I wish I had a chance to shake your hand!
[Edited on 14/8/2025 by craig1410]
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 15/8/25 at 06:18 AM |
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RIP Ron, not much else i can say :-(
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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adithorp
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| posted on 15/8/25 at 06:40 AM |
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Unfortunately I never met him. Although I didnt build a locost, I feel the kit car industry wouldnt have developed the way it did without his work and
because of that i got to build my car. I wouldnt have had the help i got from this site, I wouldn't have done the things I've done in it and
wouldn't have many of the great friends Ive met because of it. I suspect I'm not alone in that.
Quite a legacy to leave behind ( thought his maths left something to be desired; £250! 
RIP Ron.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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JAG
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| posted on 15/8/25 at 07:46 AM |
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RIP Ron
Your book was my inspiration to building my own car.
I had a long held dream to own a Lotus Seven clone and I don't think I would have achieved it without you and your book.
Thank You 
Justin
Who is this super hero? Sarge? ...No.
Rosemary, the telephone operator? ...No.
Penry, the mild-mannered janitor? ...Could be!
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jacko
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| posted on 15/8/25 at 02:39 PM |
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Sad sad news yes I have the book too RIP Ron
Jacko
555
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JC
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| posted on 16/8/25 at 05:53 AM |
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I am lucky enough to have known Ron during some difficult times for him.
We had tentative plans to develop my mid engined car as a sort of modern Locost. He insisted that another book was not the way to go as he made less
than 0.8p per sale.
It never happened of course and he moved to Spain for a while, before returning ‘home’ to Oundle.
The last time I saw him we popped round with the kids. He was fabulous and they both came home with a pocket full of toy cars!
His book breathed life into the UK kit and specials scenes and proved that with imagination and determination, anything is possible,
My thoughts are with Mary and the rest of his family.
RIP Ron x
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craig1410
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| posted on 16/8/25 at 10:57 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JC
I am lucky enough to have known Ron during some difficult times for him.
We had tentative plans to develop my mid engined car as a sort of modern Locost. He insisted that another book was not the way to go as he made less
than 0.8p per sale.
Sad to hear about the book economics - all too common these days sadly.
If you have contact with his family, perhaps you could find out what his favourite charity was and those of us who feel he deserved more than 0.8p per
book can contribute something extra to his legacy.
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PAULD
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| posted on 17/8/25 at 09:40 AM |
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I can echo most of the above. I think that once this site got going and the castoring problems pointed out we all built successful cars. It's a
shame so many were scornful of him and the book but when I started on mine back in the Locost Car club days people were building cars for £250. I
shall continue to drive mine and thank him for a few more years yet.
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JC
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| posted on 18/8/25 at 12:07 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by craig1410
quote:
Originally posted by JC
I am lucky enough to have known Ron during some difficult times for him.
We had tentative plans to develop my mid engined car as a sort of modern Locost. He insisted that another book was not the way to go as he made less
than 0.8p per sale.
Sad to hear about the book economics - all too common these days sadly.
If you have contact with his family, perhaps you could find out what his favourite charity was and those of us who feel he deserved more than 0.8p per
book can contribute something extra to his legacy.
Ron's Wife Mary has passed on that any donations to Cancer Research would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 20/8/25 at 08:35 AM |
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I met him, oh so many years ago. I even got him to autograph my book! I recall that he wasn't so young even then.
A cheery soul who was happy to chat about cars 'til the cows came home...
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bob
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| posted on 20/8/25 at 02:28 PM |
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RIP Ron
Very happy i picked up a copy of "the book" over 25 years ago, like Nick205 i eventually went the route of MK engineering and the early
Indy. The whole build process would never have happened without the book or the excellent advice and help from the people i met through it.
Fantastic friendships probably would never have been born.
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jps
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| posted on 23/8/25 at 08:50 AM |
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RIP Mr Champion!
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JoelP
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| posted on 23/8/25 at 01:06 PM |
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My journey started when I had the insane idea of taking the engine out of a Supra and putting it into a chassis made from scaffolding tubes. I was so
sure it was a great idea that I went to Halfords to get the Supra Haynes manual! My eyes settled on Ron's book and I suddenly thought, wait,
that's actually the book I need! It's been a fantastic journey over the years. If only I could find time to get this blasted car mot'd.
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steve m
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| posted on 29/8/25 at 07:45 AM |
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Just seen this, Ron created a long journey for me, two years building, and 21 years on the road
For me, i think the building was 90% of the fun, although driving was fun, it was the adulation i got, from having a pretty car
RIP Ron,
steve
Thats was probably spelt wrong, or had some grammer, that the "grammer police have to have a moan at
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