By Tony Thacker
1997 was a memorable year: Tony Blair was elected Prime Minister, the British lease on Hong Kong expired, and Stewart Bassett, founder of USAutomotive, met Ron Hope. It was a fortuitous meeting that resulted in an almost 30 year friendship until Ron’s passing in 2024.
Who was Ron Hope?
Born in 1944, Ron grew up in Whittier, California, which was hot rod central in the fifties. Ak Miller’s Garage was the place to hang out and Ron was there most days soaking it up. Like so many kids of that era he was hooked on motorsports and regularly attended races at the local drag strips and dry lakes.
Ron worked at the Chrysler Nu Car Prep Center processing new cars for the local dealers, however racing was his first love. His first trip to Bonneville was in 1961 and he soon found his way into the record books setting a land speed record in 1964 with partner Jerry Tucker in a Chrysler-powered, ’32 Ford Roadster at 165 mph.
Meanwhile, in the UK, teenage Stewart was immersed in all things automotive and would often go to the drag races at Santa Pod. He also loved to read magazines about the American fuel altered drag cars and in particular the Rat Trap. They blew his mind and he came to the conclusion they were all lunatics!
A fortuitous meeting
Fast forward 18 years and Stewart was asked to meet an American who was interested in automotive business synergies. Stewart almost passed on the meeting, were it not for the company secretary’s insistence that he should meet the ‘lovely guy’. Thankfully, Stewart agreed to have lunch with this likeable American, and the conversation that followed cemented what was to become a lifelong “car-centric” friendship.
Unrelated to the lunch meeting, Stewart was on the eve of launching USAutomotive; having identified a British need for a reliable, knowledgeable importer of American autoparts. The launch of USAuto helped to cement the Anglo-American friendship, especially when Ron invited Stewart to attend the U.S. Nationals at Indy. Ron was making exhibition runs in the famed Rat Trap AA/Fuel Altered, the very car that Stewart had read about as a teen.
Rat Trap racing
The Rat Trap was built and raced by Don Green with the help of Dennis Watson in 1968, and was considered revolutionary at the time because of its unique, independent front suspension.
The recreation of this legendary car was completed by Don Green in 1995, this time assisted by former crew member Ron Hope, who was now both driver and owner.
USAutomotive support Rat Trap across the world
In 2004, Ron and Rat Trap were invited to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and, as with any race event, required support. USAutomotive stepped up and provided assistance at both the media day and the Festival.
In 2012, the Rat Trap team made their first trip to New Zealand for Rod Millen’s Leadfoot Festival. USAutomotive was on hand to support at this event and more that followed.
Over the following years, USAuto were proud to support the Rat Trap team when Ron and the Trap embarked upon a 50th Anniversary World Tour racing in Canada, Germany, England, New Zealand, Nova Scotia as well as across the U.S.
Every August, between drag races, there was Bonneville Speed Week and by now Ron’s team had expanded to four cars: his own roadster, son Brian’s roadster, wife Dianne’s ’85 Dodge Daytona and the USAutomotive Charger. Between them, the team racked up some impressive runs and managed to put several people including Goodwood’s Earl of March and his son behind the wheel of a land speed racer.
Racing at Goodwood
Legendary drag racer “Big Daddy” Don Garlits was invited to the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed and USAutomotive was seconded to provide the push vehicle in the form of the ’49 GMC shop truck.
A memorable technical support incident at the festival included USAuto team members helping Don mend his engine with the unconventional tools of a Sprite can and Fixodent.
Setting records at Bonneville
The year 2018 would be a very special one for Ron, as he achieved his lifelong goal of setting a land speed record at 257.729mph in his Blown Gas Modified Roadster, and entered the coveted Bonneville 200MPH Club. Ron’s son Brian also set a record at this momentous event, and the USAutomotive team had the pleasure of watching their American friends realise their dreams.
The Covid pandemic prevented many motorsports events but in 2020, with Jere driving, the USAuto Charger hit its best speed ever of 199.732mph—not bad for a 40-year-old 2.2-liter 4-cylinder car, albeit with a turbo.
Remembering our friend
Sadly, Ron passed away in June 2024 having left an indelible mark on the motorsport community around the world. USAutomotive is proud to have played a small part in his success.
We miss him, and in his honour commissioned the Ron Hope Transatlantic Memorial Trophy. This was won at the European Finals, Santa Pod by Nick Davies, another friend of Ron and Stewart, driving the Havoc AA/Fuel Altered on 8th September 2024.
It was a fitting tribute in memory of a wonderfully kind family man, who was thought of so highly by all who met him, and we’re extremely proud to have known him.