PROFESSOR CHRIS BUSSELL: Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Lieutenant, Honoured guests, Graduands of 2023 and all our guests here today, it gives me great pleasure to be presenting today Ron Haslam for the award of Honorary Master of the University.
'Rocket' Ron Haslam is a former professional motorcycle racer and an international legend of two-wheeled motorsport. Growing up in Langley Mill in Derbyshire, Ron started racing motorcycles at the age of 15, and over a long and illustrious career became one of the fastest and most highly regarded motorcycle racers in the world.
Ron's achievements include three world championship titles, four British championships, a record six Macau Grand Prix's and notable success in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy aka the Isle of Man TT. His performance in motorcycle racing sets him as one of the historical 'greats' of the sport, and in the company of other remarkable races such as Barry Sheen, Mick Grant and Joey Dunlop - many of whom have either been Ron's teammates or his rivals at some point in his career.
After retiring from competition 20 years ago, Ron devoted his time to establishing the Ron Haslam race school at Donington Park at the circuit in Derbyshire, where over a two-decade period, he has helped to instruct and mentor 86,000 motorcycle riders and races from all over the world. Ron has taught riders of all abilities and ages, from complete novices to professional world-class competitors, and his friendly approach and willingness to help others have made him a hugely popular figure in the paddock.
Like father like son, it was inevitable that Ron's son, Leon, would follow in his father's footsteps. Success also came young to Leon; he became a national Motocross champion and national scooter champion at the age of 14, and more recently Leon has won the British superbike championship in 2018. He continues to compete in the series to this day and is ably aided by the expert advice from his father.
Ron is an incredibly humble, modest man with a huge passion for racing. His impact on the world of motorsport is immense, as is his commitment to sports supporting and mentoring the next generation of motorcycle riders and racers. He is simply the embodiment of the University's values of being bold and brilliant.
Ron's wife Ann has been a constant presence at his side throughout his career, and is here with us today along with his son-in-law John and his daughter Zoe and close friends Rob and Claire.
Chancellor, in recognition of his outstanding career in motorcycle sport and his commitment to educating the next generation of motorcyclists, we are delighted to award Ron Haslam the honorary degree of Master of the University.
Nicola Drew, Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute and researcher of British motorcycle racing, has joined us on stage to share a few more words about Ron.
NICOLA DREW: Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Lieutenant, Honoured guests, Graduands of 2023 and all of our guests here today. Graduands, today is the conclusion of what has probably been quite an emotional rollercoaster for you and your loved ones; now I also experienced my very own emotional rollercoaster but of a very different kind back in late 2019 when I was fortunate enough or some might say foolish enough to ride pillion with Ron Haslam around Donington Park circuit.
Now I knew I was going to be in for an interesting time when Ron started talking to me about the possible effects of increased G-Force on my body and his lovely wife Ann came up to me and she said you do realize don't you I never ride pillion with Ron.
What made it more interesting was that Ron pulled a wheelie, yes up on one wheel, all the way down to the start finish line at Donington whenever we got back there, that was three times by the way. Now much of that day remains a blur, quite literally, in my memory but what I can tell you is that it felt like I was strapped to the back of an exorcet missile.
Ladies and gentlemen, they say that revenge is a dish that is best served cold so almost four years after my ordeal at Donington Park, I would like to welcome you personally Ron to the blindingly fast and often dangerous world of the university, you're very welcome.
Now I'm not going to reiterate Ron's sporting achievements, we've heard about those already, instead I will tell you that on top of his racing career, Ron has also been significantly involved in the development of motorcycles as machines and he has worked tirelessly to improve rider safety. He also continues to act as a mentor and is a source of great support to many elite riders in the British Superbike Paddock.
And yet despite his excellence in the sport, in my opinion it is Ron's humility that sets him apart from many other people who are very successful in their fields. In fact when I spoke to Ron shortly after he was notified of this award, we were chatting together and he said something to me along the lines of I don't really get this, why am I getting this award, all I wanted to do was ride my bike. And ride your bike you certainly did. I would imagine knowing Ron's humility that he had sat here on the stage today still trying to work out what all the fuss is about.
As the 16th century English poet, John Donne, famously remarked no man is an island of himself and this has never been truer than when speaking about Ron's achievements and I know it's very special for him to have some members of his family here today. However Ron is now part of the wider University of Derby family and he would like to convey his very best wishes to all of you for a bright and successful future.
Graduands take a leaf out of the book of one of Derbyshire's finest, Mr Ron Haslam, excel at what you do, be brilliant by all means but retain your humility, do not hold on to your knowledge and experience gained from an excellent education at an excellent University but chuck it around liberally, giving to other people with kindness and grace and skill.
Treat the people who you come across in life with dignity and respect, have courage like Ron because it takes courage to DARE but without courage we lose what we could be in life and if you crash metaphorically get back up again.
Ron, I'm going to end my short presentation by talking directly to you in what I would call a bit of paddock speak and I'm hoping the wider University of Derby Paddock can keep up. Ron, this is a podium that you never expected, but you're here on the top step, this is a grid you've never been on before but you're already in the winner's enclosure. Racing indeed can be a hard mistress but on the whole run you have kept it shiny side up.
On behalf of everybody who can be inspired by your remarkable example, we say thank you today. Congratulations Ron.