Ron Hines facts for kids
Ron Hines, born in 1940, was a pioneering engineer in car racing. He was the first Black person with an Ivy League education to become an auto racing engineer in America. In the 1970s, he worked for Black American Racers, Inc. (BAR). This was the first Black car racing team in America to get big national sponsors.
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Early Life and a Love for Cars
Ron Hines grew up in New Rochelle, New York. His interest in cars started when he was a teenager. At age 14, he bought a 1948 Plymouth coupe. It was partly finished and had a special "chopped top."
Ron's father knew he was too young to own a car. So, he got rid of it while Ron was away at school. When Ron was 16, he bought a 1949 Mercury with a chopped top. Again, his father did not want him to keep the car. He reminded Ron that he was too young to drive legally in New York.
Education and Racing Dreams
Ron went to Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. There, he shared a room with John Cox, who also loved cars. John showed Ron a magazine about a 1934 Ford coupe. This made Ron's love for cars even stronger.
In 1963, Ron graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering. In his last year, he met Ennis Dawson, a local drag racer. They became lifelong friends. Going to drag races with Ennis made Ron excited about cars again.
He bought a 1953 Studebaker coupe. He put a powerful Buick engine and a four-speed transmission in it. After some dangerous street races, Ron started racing his car safely. He joined official National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events. These races took place at the Strato Rods Dragway in Wrightstown, New Jersey.
After college, Ron worked for General Motors. He was a quality control engineer in Trenton, New Jersey. In 1966, he bought a 1933 Ford coupe hot rod. He still owns this Ford today. It has been changed many times. It has been a trophy-winning drag racer and a cool street car. Now, it has a special racing engine from a Lola T332 race car. This was one of the cars Benny Scott drove for Black American Racers, Inc. in 1975.
Founding Black American Racers
In 1972, Ron met Leonard W. Miller. Leonard wanted to bring Black racing fans and drivers together. Ron, Leonard, Eugene Gadson, and Charlie Singleton started the Black American Racers Association (BARA). Ron was the secretary for BARA for five years. He was in charge of their monthly newsletter.
In 1974, Ron wrote half of the articles in the ’74 Black Racers Yearbook. This book shared the history of Black racing before World War II. It also gave advice to Black racers on how to get sponsors. Many big companies placed ads in the yearbook.
Becoming a Racing Engineer
In 1973, Ron joined Leonard Miller's road racing team. Benny Scott was the driver of their Tui Formula Super Vee (FSV) car. The team was sponsored by Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. Ron was an engineer for other BAR drivers too. These included Randy Bethea and Tommy Thompson. He helped them in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) races.
Ron tuned and set up the Lola cars for the team. He traveled to many famous race tracks. These included Lime Rock Park, Road Atlanta, and Watkins Glen International. During this time, Ron appeared on TV and radio shows. He was often with Leonard W. Miller and Benny Scott.
Keys to the City of Atlanta
In the spring of 1974, Mayor Maynard Jackson honored Ron, Leonard Miller, and Benny Scott. He gave them the keys to the city of Atlanta. This happened in a ceremony at City Hall. The mayor also announced that April 20 would be Black American Racers Day. A photo of the team was printed in newspapers across the United States. This same photo also appeared in Leonard Miller's book Silent Thunder. It was also in Andrew L. Schupack's book Formula Vee/Super Vee-Racing, History, and Chassis/Engine Prep.
A Sad Day at Trenton Speedway
After the 1975 racing season, BAR lost its sponsor. This was due to issues within the tobacco company. BAR could not race for two years.
Leonard W. Miller decided to try FSV racing again in 1977. This was after Tommy Thompson, a Black driver, convinced him to continue the BAR dream. Ron Hines and Ken Wright were key technical members of the team. Ron helped the team win an SCCA Northeast Championship at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.
On September 27, 1978, Tommy Thompson was in a serious crash. It happened at the Trenton Speedway. Another car suddenly stopped in front of Tommy due to a mechanical problem. Tommy never woke up and passed away less than a week later.
New Racing Goals
After two years, Ron Hines became the crew chief for the BAR dirt track team. This was in 1980-81, with Bruce Driver as the driver. The team won ten races at speedways in Flemington and East Windsor, New Jersey. Bruce Driver became the first Black driver to win ten races at each of these tracks.
BAR still wanted to race professionally and compete in the Indianapolis 500. However, many big companies turned down their requests for sponsorship.
Later Years and Community Work
Over the years, Ron Hines taught at the Granville Academy. He helped and guided young people from cities. He helped them improve their math skills. This prepared them to become future technicians or engineers.
During this time, he owned many special cars. Besides his 1933 Ford coupe, he also owns a 1975 Chevrolet Monza. This car has a powerful V-8 engine and a four-speed transmission.
Today, Ron Hines organizes an annual car and motorcycle show. It takes place at St. John's Baptist Church in Ewing Township, New Jersey. The show happens in July in a park next to the church. All types of cars and motorcycles are welcome.
