[1] Born into a successful business family, Ronnie Adams was educated at Rockport School in Holywood, Co Down.

During a 30-year motorsport career, Adams was one of the leading Ulstermen at this time, and became a Jaguar works driver following the war.

Due to petrol rationing in the 1940s he turned his attention to sailing and nearly made the 1948 Great Britain Olympic team.

In 1956 he and his co-drivers Frank Biggar and Derek Johnston had their most successful victory at the Monte Carlo Rally in January in a Jaguar Mark 7.

Adams's international rallying career finally ended on medical advice, due to an irregular heartbeat.