Poncho Castro Passes
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ATV
desert racing professional, Poncho Castro (last year's Baja 1000 winner) was
killed on Saturday May 7, 2005 while racing a local desert race in La Paz,
Mexico. Poncho started the race, only three miles later he drove off a cliff
and into heaven. Poncho leaves behind his beautiful wife, Lupita Castro and
his three year old son Alfonso.
Poncho was kind, sincere and constantly went out of his way to help others.
He was a genuine person with a heart of gold.
Below are a some comments from just a few of the many people that will miss
Poncho Castro dearly...
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| Ensenada to San Felipe race, (left to right) his best friend Chupirul, Chanate, Poncho and Eddie Gutierrez his cousin. |
Lee Edmunds, American Honda
We at American Honda are very saddened to hear the news of Poncho's death. Poncho
was a valuable member of our 2003 Baja 1000 winning effort and was liked by
all. He was a reliable teammate and his testing and set-up abilities earned
him the respect of all who worked with him. We wish his family the best in this
difficult time.
Gibran Osuna, La Paz, Mexico
I had the chance to hang out with Poncho before the race. He told me that
he didn't pre run because he was out of time. By the time he had found out about
the race, he just drove down in a truck that he was going to try to sell down
here. He borrowed equipment to race. It was said by sources that the accident
happened not even 15 miles from the start in a section full off tall vertical
and rocky cliffs near the beach (San Juan de la Costa). He took off at 2:30pm
and crashed a few minutes later. He was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance
where he died at 4:30pm. That was pretty much all the info that sources gave
at the local news. My deepest condolences go out to his family.
Sean Sermini, Clear Channel Entertainment, Chicago, IL
Horrible news like this just takes my breath away. Poncho and I had not known
each other for a long time but certainly enjoyed each other's company. We had
only hung out and/or rode together a few times over the last three years since
we had first meet. However, Poncho had a way about him that made me and everyone
around him feel like we had been riding buddies forever. Poncho was a fun, intelligent
man with a passion for the sport of ATVs. He WILL be missed.
Tim Farr, North Canton, OH
I am very honored to have had the opportunity to know and befriend Poncho. Poncho
was a great person and an awesome rider. In 2003, Poncho and I were teammates
on the winning Baja 1000 team, during which time we got to know each other and
had a lot of fun together. I am glad that I was able to spend time with Poncho
while he was with us and only regret not being able to know him better. I will
always cherish the good times we had together. My thoughts and prayers are with
his family.
John Gregory, Team Golden West Cycle/American Honda/Duncan, Temecula,
CA
Poncho Castro joined the Golden West Cycle/American Honda team in 2003 and helped
us win the Baja 1000 and a third SCORE Championship. In the two years Poncho
rode on our team we never finished worst than second! He was a vital part of
the team for many reasons. His knowledge of the Mexican desert and its terrain
was very valuable. He was able to ride fast and smart without hurting the bike,
but the main reason was his personality. He was a great person to hang out with,
never down, depressed or mad, just enjoyed life to the fullest, had a love for
the sport of ATVs and it showed. Poncho came by Golden West Cycle at least two
times a week. I can honestly say that when he would stop by the shop it was
the highlight of our day no matter how bad or good the day was going. It was
an honor to call him my teammate, and I consider myself a very lucky person
to have known him as a true friend.
Eddie Gutierrez, Rosarito, Mexico (Poncho's cousin)
Poncho was like my dad and friend because he was always teaching me how to ride
the proper way. I don't really know what happened - only God knows? It's really
hard for me and my family, so please keep us in your prayers. As anyone that
knew him will agree, we will never see a Baja Champion like Poncho. There have
been all kinds of champs, but Poncho genuinely cared about every person he came
across including every single fan. He was a great guy.
Now over a week has past. I was just at his house with his wife and family and
everyone seems to be doing alright. It's just so sad not to see him any more,
but things happen for reasons. Lupita is very strong and she has all of us around
her to help.
John Pellan, Mayfield Village, OH
I got to know Poncho when Nick Nelson and I put together our ATV Scene.com/Trinity
Racing 400EX 2002 Baja 1000 team of Poncho, myself, Nick Nelson, Ceasar "Chanate"
Lopez, Jovany Pinental, Joel Garcia, Rory Nevins and Jason Greenhaw.
Keith Little and I met up with Poncho to pre run our sections together, which
were at the end of the 1000 mile course. First we helped him move his pregnant
wife Lupita to his new home in Rosarito. I liked the guy right from the start.
You would think he would have been stressed out with all the things going on
all at once. He wasn't, instead he was probably the most appreciative, cheerful,
happy-go-lucky-down-to-earth persons I've ever met. Before that day we had only
talked on the phone a few times and e mailed a few more, but only after a day
together, I felt as if we were bros for a lifetime. He just had a real likable
and genuine personality. It was my first Baja and a lot went down. We had so
many adventures pre running that course together. Poncho was there for me when
I broke my collar bone in the middle of nowhere. He later rode my section along
with his. Because of him and his incredible determination, our team finished
runner up in the pro class, only twenty some minutes behind American Honda's
Honda Rincon entry. Incredibly we almost won the Baja 1000! Poncho and I hung
out at Cabo San Lucas after the race. We lived like kings those three days.
Together, we shared an unexplainable appreciation for life while we kicked back
in what just might be the most beautiful place on earth. Since our 2002
Baja Survival - we became good friends. We formed a hard-to-describe-bond
with one another. He would call me on the phone and simply say "John! It's
Poncho" - I would instantly smile. I'll miss those phone calls and I'll
miss him. He was such an easy going, happy, sincere person. He was so friendly
to everyone and always quick to help anyone in need. Anyone that knew him knows
exactly what I mean. I'll never forget him. My deepest condolences and prayers
are with his family. To Lupita and Alfonso Jr. - if there is anything I can
do, don't hesitate to ask.
Allen White, Precision Concepts Racing
Poncho Castro was a good friend. Ever since I got into racing he has always
been around. From the late nights at Papas and Beer in Rosarito (were Poncho
used to work) to riding, he was always entertaining. Poncho was a big part of
our record breaking 24-hour desert race year in 2001, the team consisted of
Poncho, Doug Eichner, Enrique Felix, Nick Nelson, Fido De la Rocha and myself
it was one of the best races of my career and will always be remembered. I have
so many stories of Poncho that I will always cherish. He will be missed.
Richy Labrada, zrpromo.com
We knew Poncho for many years. We are really sad about this. We designed a logo
for him. 45 was his favorite number. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Martha, Poncho's Older Sister
My name is Martha. I'm Poncho's older sister. First of all I want to thank
you for what you are doing to honor my brother's memory. As you could know I
am really devastated. I really feel that I needed more time to spend with him,
more than the rest of my family. I hardly saw him these last few years. I wasn't
even able to say good bye to him.
My sister Cecy gave me this address and as I am reading all this I can not stop
crying my heart out. I am looking forward to hearing what the people that spend
most time with him have to say about him. Exactly what you are asking, a photo,
a funny story, a memory, etc. I asked my sister yesterday, when she told me
that somebody was perhaps going to open a website in his honor, I really need
to have lots of memories of him. Both my children knew him but they hardly remember
him. They are only 4 1/2 and 3 years old. I would love to have as many images
and stories as possible to show to them, so they can start to re know him all
over again. I don't want them to ever forget my dear brother.
I am still in denial although I keep on crying a lot, but I know eventually
I will accept this horrible fate and all your efforts on doing this tribute
to him are going to help me on this my saddest time of my entire life, - for
this I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Best Regards, Martha
Rory Nevins, San Bernardino, CA
In the short four years I have known Poncho he has had a large impact on my
life. My first trip to Mexico he invited me into his home as if I was his brother.
I consider Poncho to be a very warm and giving person. On a trip down to Mexico
for a race Nick Nelson, my fiance and I stopped in Rosarito to visit Poncho
when I noticed a Aztec calendar hanging on his wall and asked him where he bought
it. I told him we were looking for one just like that and it would go perfect
in our home. Poncho pulled the art piece off of his wall and gave it to us as
a house warming gift. Poncho goes above and beyond as a friend. He would give
you the shirt off of his back and everything he had. Poncho will be missed and
my memories will be in my heart forever.
May the legacy of Poncho Castro live on forever.
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Poncho would be proud of this... |
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