Great show ! I raced against him once at Indian dunes shadow Glen track full gate of 125 experts he won. I’m met him a little while ago at Grant Langston‘s shop they were having a vintage motorcycle show he couldn’t have been nicer.
Remember Ron ripping at Ascot on Wednesday nites back in the day! He was smooth and very fast!! A fly under the radar kind of Guy! looking forward to rest of Interview!! Thanks for Your Show Ping!!✌
Very cool. I'm about Ron's age and had a very similar motocross upbringing except in the north Los Angeles area. Though I never made it to the pros, I was racing with guys like Kenny Zarht, Donny Hanson, Billy Payne, Eddie Cole and many others at the local tracks like Indian dunes, Muntz, Baymare and others. Great time for moto.
Local legend l remember him racing in 1976/77 with FMF rm 125's rm 250's and rm370's there were days and nights that he won all three pro classes. Amazing skill and endurance.
Met Ron through the SoCal vintage moto scene after knowing about him from my childhood moto magazines. Super nice guy and a great track builder too! Nice to see him here and I look forward to seeing him in person again soon.
Ron came and raced a couple local Indiana races back in 1976. He raced at Winchester and Richmond. Local guy Jeff Sanders and Ron put on a great show. I had never seen someone jump as far as he did.
Ron is one of those racers with a riding style that told me who it was from a couple of hundred yards away!! Kinda like a jockey...a$$ over the rear fender, sorta tucked in even when up on the pegs...unique 💪👍🏁 974 Professional wins 🤯
He was on Suzukis in 76 and into 77. I do not think he ever got a works Suzuki. He was one of the highest paid riders in the country during those years. He should have received the opportunity. There was a gap between Danny Laporte and Mark Barnett that should have been his time.
I raced 125 Elsinores in 73, 74, and 75 in Kentucky and Indiana. I remember reading Cyclenews West and dreaming of racing in So. Cal. Ron Turner's name was always prominent in the every race result that appeared at that time...The dark sun glasses, usually no mouth guard, and open face helmets of course...he stood out as a bit odd. He appeared casually fast, like it was easy. What a legend.
First saw Ron ride at 4 Corners Ramona in 1973 or 74. Could have been the big money race he mentioned. John DeSoto was also there on an Ossa 250. Ron and Desoto were the only 2 guys clearing a double jump. I hadn't raced yet but I am also legally blind like Ron. I hated wearing glasses so I raced my first few races in contacts. Both times I got dirt in my eyes and couldn't see and did crappy. Once was at OCIR. Ron and Gary Ogden were on Escondido Suzuki sponsored CanAms. I think Ron won. I did bad because I couldn't see. I told myself that if Radical Ron could go fast wearing glasses maybe I should just get glasses and not care what people say about my looks. Next week I got plastic glasses with non shattering lenses and Carerra over the glasses goggles. I started doing a lot better and within a year turned CMC pro! I've shared that story with Ron at the Carlsbad Reunion at Booze Brothers. A for prior mx schools, Rolf Tibblin ran his school at Carlsbad early 70's. I knew Rolf from a Swedish restaurant he used to come to in the early 70's. He gave me an exercise book. A local kid named Dave Doss helped him out. That became the Suzuki school and guys like Dave Gerig helped out. Ron didn't mention that he rode with Jeff Jennings and Gary Ogden during the 75/76 Suzuki days. Gary and Ron also got a little sponsorship from Escondido Suzuki. Yes, Radical Ron should have got an opportunity on a works bike. He would have been a top 5 guy every week. You look at teams like ProCurcuit today with all those riders. Suzuki or Honda surely could have afforded to sponsor Ron Turner. Their loss. Not every kid looks pretty like Golden Boy Glover or Marty Smith. And, personally, I thought Ron's hair was awesome! Just like Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople! So very 'Radical'! Hey Ron! If interested, the people at Amago are wanting to rebuild the race tracks! You should talk with them. I can't think of a better guy that could get that place back up to speed!
Radical Ron Turner, remember you from the early days of saddleback . I smoked the intermediates you dusted the pros, my Dad and I loved to watch you race he would always say watch the lines Turner is taking and I did just that. So glad to see that life is going good for you Ron, you were definitely a TRUE RACER.❤😊
For the Hawaiian Supercross I was turning wrenches for both Ron and Jim Holley and Ron's frame broke and I had to use 97 zip ties so he could race was it stayed together for the win.
Awesome interview as almost all are. Cycle Rama was in San Antonio TX. When you click on the venue in MX Vault it will show the city.. ALSO: the picture showing Ron in his glasses showed an NBC reporter who looked quite a bit like the former Bruce Jenner.
Loved this interview. Only got to see him race a few times at Saddleback. My friend was a National Pro, and went to see him race and Ron beat everyone....some big names ! Super nice guy , but like a hungry tiger on the starting line. Hated goggles though ! Wore Sunglasses 😅
I'm at Ron Turner at a Friday night race at Indian dunes and he was a factory achieva Rider erased a 125 a 250 and I think a 390 kashifa Italian motorcycle and then he slept in the motorhome at the track Friday nights at the Indian dance and then at Carlsbad I raced with him
Wow. What a great man. You don’t get opportunities like this unless you have talent and the respect of the manufacturers. I really loved hearing the stories and history of the early days of SC MX. Great podcast. Thanks!
Great show ! I raced against him once at Indian dunes shadow Glen track full gate of 125 experts he won. I’m met him a little while ago at Grant Langston‘s shop they were having a vintage motorcycle show he couldn’t have been nicer.
Winning a $2500 purse in 1973 on a bike that only cost $600 was huge.
Best interview yet, a true Racer and a class act.
I love hearing from guys like Ron. Is so cool to get the real deal stories
Remember Ron ripping at Ascot on Wednesday nites back in the day! He was smooth and very fast!! A fly under the radar kind of Guy! looking forward to rest of Interview!! Thanks for Your Show Ping!!✌
Wednesday night if i didnt have a ride . i would ride to track and race . my second home and first job as a kid.
Very cool. I'm about Ron's age and had a very similar motocross upbringing except in the north Los Angeles area. Though I never made it to the pros, I was racing with guys like Kenny Zarht, Donny Hanson, Billy Payne, Eddie Cole and many others at the local tracks like Indian dunes, Muntz, Baymare and others. Great time for moto.
T
Was there also. Zarht was my idol. Billy Payne, Donnie Hansen, Will Harper, all ride for my Brother in Law Mike's Racing Center Maicos .
Local legend l remember him racing in 1976/77 with FMF rm 125's rm 250's and rm370's there were days and nights that he won all three pro classes. Amazing skill and endurance.
Met Ron through the SoCal vintage moto scene after knowing about him from my childhood moto magazines. Super nice guy and a great track builder too! Nice to see him here and I look forward to seeing him in person again soon.
Met Radical Ron at Branson MO at the RM Cup in 1996. Great guy.
Now I see why he was back at that race. Family.
Never saw him again.
I remember talking with Ron as the gate was about to drop at Saddleback Park, he would say: "Ok...I gotta go" and away he went!
Ron came and raced a couple local Indiana races back in 1976. He raced at Winchester and Richmond. Local guy Jeff Sanders and Ron put on a great show. I had never seen someone jump as far as he did.
Wayne Boyer was part of the Suzuki school @ Carlsbad..
Cycle Rama was in, San Antonio, Tx.
Great interview. Speaking of a local rider having the track dialed , I think that was the case with Marty Moates at Carlsbad.
Ron is one of those racers with a riding style that told me who it was from a couple of hundred yards away!! Kinda like a jockey...a$$ over the rear fender, sorta tucked in even when up on the pegs...unique 💪👍🏁 974 Professional wins 🤯
He was on Suzukis in 76 and into 77. I do not think he ever got a works Suzuki. He was one of the highest paid riders in the country during those years. He should have received the opportunity. There was a gap between Danny Laporte and Mark Barnett that should have been his time.
Radical Ron! Love that guy!
I raced 125 Elsinores in 73, 74, and 75 in Kentucky and Indiana. I remember reading Cyclenews West and dreaming of racing in So. Cal. Ron Turner's name was always prominent in the every race result that appeared at that time...The dark sun glasses, usually no mouth guard, and open face helmets of course...he stood out as a bit odd. He appeared casually fast, like it was easy. What a legend.
I think Rolf Tibblin ran a school for a little bit at Carlsbad, maybe a Husky camp.
yes I remember Ron nice to see you 😊
First saw Ron ride at 4 Corners Ramona in 1973 or 74. Could have been the big money race he mentioned. John DeSoto was also there on an Ossa 250. Ron and Desoto were the only 2 guys clearing a double jump. I hadn't raced yet but I am also legally blind like Ron. I hated wearing glasses so I raced my first few races in contacts. Both times I got dirt in my eyes and couldn't see and did crappy. Once was at OCIR. Ron and Gary Ogden were on Escondido Suzuki sponsored CanAms. I think Ron won. I did bad because I couldn't see. I told myself that if Radical Ron could go fast wearing glasses maybe I should just get glasses and not care what people say about my looks. Next week I got plastic glasses with non shattering lenses and Carerra over the glasses goggles. I started doing a lot better and within a year turned CMC pro! I've shared that story with Ron at the Carlsbad Reunion at Booze Brothers.
A for prior mx schools, Rolf Tibblin ran his school at Carlsbad early 70's. I knew Rolf from a Swedish restaurant he used to come to in the early 70's. He gave me an exercise book. A local kid named Dave Doss helped him out. That became the Suzuki school and guys like Dave Gerig helped out.
Ron didn't mention that he rode with Jeff Jennings and Gary Ogden during the 75/76 Suzuki days. Gary and Ron also got a little sponsorship from Escondido Suzuki.
Yes, Radical Ron should have got an opportunity on a works bike. He would have been a top 5 guy every week. You look at teams like ProCurcuit today with all those riders. Suzuki or Honda surely could have afforded to sponsor Ron Turner. Their loss. Not every kid looks pretty like Golden Boy Glover or Marty Smith. And, personally, I thought Ron's hair was awesome! Just like Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople! So very 'Radical'!
Hey Ron! If interested, the people at Amago are wanting to rebuild the race tracks! You should talk with them. I can't think of a better guy that could get that place back up to speed!
Radical Ron Turner, remember you from the early days of saddleback . I smoked the intermediates you dusted the pros, my Dad and I loved to watch you race he would always say watch the lines Turner is taking and I did just that. So glad to see that life is going good for you Ron, you were definitely a TRUE RACER.❤😊
Another rider that raced with prescription glasses was Dick Burleson ( enduro). And now that I think of it , it would be good to see him on the show.
RT would come out to the night races race 125, 250, and open...he'd win all three classes I used to be awestruck I couldn't even win beginner class
Guy is a legend, super cool.
For the Hawaiian Supercross I was turning wrenches for both Ron and Jim Holley and Ron's frame broke and I had to use 97 zip ties so he could race was it stayed together for the win.
the king of ascot
Great interview ! 👍
Another great story !
Well done Ping !
The guy won a lot in mid 70 some times 3 classes cmc was cut above you had to fight for every thing even int and jr classes thanks for the show
Awesome interview as almost all are.
Cycle Rama was in San Antonio TX.
When you click on the venue in MX Vault it will show the city..
ALSO: the picture showing Ron in his glasses showed an NBC reporter who looked quite a bit like the former Bruce Jenner.
Loved this interview. Only got to see him race a few times at Saddleback. My friend was a National Pro, and went to see him race and Ron beat everyone....some big names ! Super nice guy , but like a hungry tiger on the starting line. Hated goggles though ! Wore Sunglasses 😅
Fantastic
Glad I was around for motocross in the 70's and 80's. Lawyers and 4 strokes have ruined motocross.
Curious how R&D, the Dickinson’s got involved with Suzuki
Broc wasn't old enough until 77 for hangtown national. He did rude some 76 nationals but not prairie city/hangtown
Steve wise won 76 national July 4th west Virginia. Ist privater national win
Long live texan jason edwards found him at the bar in pine bluff loaned him 125 and gear took him racin beat ron turner berryille arenacross 1997
Always love the interviews, but you guys are off so many times on the years...
Back when I was on minis I saw Turner racing 125 pro on the Cagiva at Corona Raceway and Saddleback a lot.
I'm at Ron Turner at a Friday night race at Indian dunes and he was a factory achieva Rider erased a 125 a 250 and I think a 390 kashifa Italian motorcycle and then he slept in the motorhome at the track Friday nights at the Indian dance and then at Carlsbad I raced with him
Wow. What a great man. You don’t get opportunities like this unless you have talent and the respect of the manufacturers.
I really loved hearing the stories and history of the early days of SC MX. Great podcast. Thanks!