Just like all most beautiful moments in life come to an end, there is no eternal fun; even the more exciting it is, the end seems to come faster.
That is why we need to enjoy keeping the joy and giving ourselves that gift. This is one of the mysteries and charms of existence.
It has been tacitly shown, while bringing back the memory of Ricardo Rodriguez de la Vega.
Perhaps Mexico will never witness such sport phenomenon of that magnitude and that importance again. Especially, for what could have been…The experts and also the audience are really insightful and they perfectly know when someone has no precedent. They never doubt of turning him into an idol.
Much have been said and will be said about one of the greatest myths of speed in the highest category: FORMULA 1 years go by and vertigo lovers in Italy or in England, also in France they keep asking theirselves, what happened with the youngest of Rodriguez?
We, the Mexicans can’t also forget Ricardo. Most of all, because there has not been another driver that gives us all delicacy he promised with his performance; without leaving his older brother Pedro aside, who gave his fans something huge; not to mention aboard sport cars in which he was the best of the world. But the most exquisite league, only inherited two triumphs (in South Africa in 1967 and in Belgium in 1970) that still leaves the door open with anxiety, because his audience wants and needs more.
Having in mind that Ricardo was born on February 14th, 1942 in Mexico City and left a deep printed mark all over the tracks of the country, thanks to those demonstrations, kind of creepy given his boldness, audacity and his skilled driving. Very brilliant in his way to step the accelerator as it was no limit, out of this world.
He participated in 5 Grand Prix: Italian GP in 1961; also that year in Holland, Belgium and Germany. Finally, in Monza again one year later; always racing for Ferrari and accompanied by great aces such as: Phil Hill, Giancarlo Baghetti, Lorenzo Bandini, Wolfgang von Trips, Willie Mairesse or Richie Ginther.
The most notable was that he used to drive in hand with these great drivers, aboard the same cars. So much so, in “the Temple of Speed” he won the second place in classifications, finishing one tenth of a second from the best.
Then it is true to say that the racetrack named after him and his brother, it is precisely, thanks to what they did for the car racing sport at full speed.
As continuation of this story of Mexican great speed that had began with Panamerican races, the next stage - in the 60’s- with the plenitude of FORMULA 1. It was then, when its essence began and the true love and passion for cars at full speed was detonated.
On the first day of GP in our homeland, during an exhibition race, whose aim would be to release Mexico as host of these magnificent functions, something dismal happened. During rehearsals for this Grand Prix opening: on November 1st, 1962 Ricardo Rodriguez gets killed. He was been mourned the next day, during the Day of the Dead.
That is how our indelible mark was born, in a very Mexican way, our real epic piece on four wheels. He wrote that story with his premature death, being only 19 years old. And so the first chapter in the history of our most important races ever, came to an end.
We are used to turn tragedy into a F1esta, and so it will be in his honor.
What a better way to pay him homage!
Provided that the best in life happens with so much transience, it should be appointed that the race on October 30 is coming, and cars will perform over the 340 kilometers per hour. Everything passes by as it flew. It just passes by.
You shall not miss it, because this passes by with a fabulous speed. And it is true, it just passes by.
Only you can stop for an instant of joy. Don’t let go this opportunity!
