A Short Lifetime in a Moment.

Part 2

The 1978 Formula 1 World Championship was one of the most closely contested in years, with Lotus, Maclaren and Ferrari all in with a good chance. Ferrari fielded Carlos Reuterman and the late great Gilles Villneuve as their drivers. Meanwhile, Ronnie contributed to full effect in the many test sessions the team carried out.

Now commuting frequently between Fiorino in Italy and Rugby Street in Hull, Ronnie was a busy man, although he never forgot his roots, his friends and his family. Now very much the local celebrity, Ronnie spent many a free afternoon opening fetes and DIY stores. What little free time he had was spent indulging in candle making and his other passion - fishing.

It was on one such day that Ronnies life was to change dramatically.

While enjoying an afternoons eel fishing at St Andrews Dock gates, a smartly dressed man approached with a look of a young looking Al Pacino / George Formby, chewing on a slim yet long cigar. The tomato sauce stain and strong smell of garlic meant that it could only be Ferrari team manager Enrico Bonjela. The message came that Villeneuve had develop a nasty boil on his nose, thus causing Non-Lowering of Visor on Helmet syndrome, making it impossible for him to race in the forthcoming U.S. Grand Prix at Long Beach.

This was Ronnies day, his big chance to impress - he was to race at Long Beach.

Less than 48 hours later (but a bit more than 24), Ronnie was pacing the Long Beach circuit, contemplating his destiny. Everything happened as if in an instant on that monumental race day. After making a good start from a poor 10th position, Ronnie carved through the field, passing the likes of Hunt, Reuterman, Scheckter, Nillson and, to his final quarry, championship leader the great Mario Andretti.

On returning to Hull, Ronnie was given a Civic reception and complimentary tickets to a film of his choice at the Cecil. He was very much man of the moment in Hull.

However, all of the euphoria was to be short lived. Just one week later, at the tender age of 25, Ronnie was dead. Hull was in mourning. A half days closing was announced at all shops stocking candles as a mark of respect.

The official version of Ronnies death was that he had tragically died in a bizarre gardening accident, leaving all to the imagination. After all, a well appointed hoe can be lethal!

Unofficially, Ronnie was said to have choked on vomit. They do not to this day know whose vomit it was as they cannot dust for fingerprints on it yet.

Consequently, the Coroners verdict was Death by Misadventure, and the file to this day remains open.

It is a poignant tragedy that a young man such as Ronnie should have his life cut so short as he stood on the brink of such great things, It surely would have made him an international legend, and the irony is that, some 21 years later, the people of Hull have little or no memory of the man from Hull who could have been so much more.