Following Saturday’s deadly crash at Santa Clarita’s business park drive, the whole world has been reduced to tears as they mourn over the unfortunate passing of Hollywood star and the face of ‘The Fast And The Furious’ movie franchise, Paul Walker. But Walker wasn’t the only one who was killed in the ill-fated Porsche. Behind the wheel’s was Roger Rodas, a Pirelli World Challenge Championships driver, the CEO of ‘Always Evolving’, and Walker’s financial advisor. Little was made available about the man who was killed alongside the American heartthrob, but days following the tragic incident we have come to know Roger Rodas as an equally humble philanthropist. Roger Rodas and Paul Walker were more than just best buds, they were also business partners, had mutual interest towards race cars and ironically met through a conversation that started over a Porsche.
Roger Rodas was born on 31 October 1975, an El-Salvador native staying in Valencia, CA who didn’t take long to become a major fixture in California‘s financial and race circuit. Having completed his degree in finance with outstanding approbation, Rodas also earned numerous certifications and credentials from The Wharton School of Business. Being a financial expert definitely gave Rodas a head start in the game when he became the managing director of wealth management for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. His Rodas Group company were well known in the financial circles in California partly because of his connection with the investment firm Merrill Lynch and for being listed as ‘America’s Top 1,000 Financial Advisers’ each year from 2010 to 2012 on ‘Barron’s List Of America’s Top Financial Advisers.’
Being noted as one of the high rollers in the system did not change his humble nature in fact in only made him soar to greater heights. Amidst the gratifying reward his financial career brought, Rodas was also fascinated with high performance cars and the world of racing. Turning his dream to reality, Rodas started to commit to race cars and tracks spending much of his early racing career competing in the Porsche GT3 Cup race cars in the Porsche Owner’s Club and other neophyte race series. It was during this time in a race circuit when Rodas and Walker first met and their path intertwined. After spotting Rodas driving a Porsche GT3 that he used to own, Walker immediately approached Rodas and the two has been friends ever since bonding through their mutual interest in cars and racing. The friendship between the two was further secured when Rodas became Walker’s financial advisor in 2007.
In an article published by the Wealth Management, it stated that Rodas helped Walker to reorganise his financial portfolio and find a creative solution in maintaining and continuing his passion for cars and racing without having them become a financial liability. Maintaining and transporting his fleet alone required several full-time professionals, and Walker had been funding the operation out of his own pocket. Rodas suggested an alternative: that Walker create an integrated (joined) race shop that is bonded and insured and brings in income by also doing work for other drivers.
‘Paul said that what he saved in expenses covered all of
his racing costs last year,’ Rodas notes.
The two later co-founded Always Evolving, a high end dealership and race preparation company that focuses on specialty in car builds based in Valencia, which was led by Rodas as the CEO. Under his powerful wings, AE continued to evolve and prosper since the man himself was an avid car collector and not a stranger to the world of exotic cars. His own personal collection bragged a wide assortment of limited production Saleen and Shelby Mustangs. His collection soon became one of the major attraction of Always Evolving if not the heart and soul of the auto shop. Among the services offered by Always Evolving includes dealing and trading luxury and performance cars, offers performance car builds, full-service race preparation and team management.
Besides building a successful business empire, Roger was also active with various charities locally and in Latin America. He was of the board members of The Asomugha Foundation; a charity organisation that raises money to help orphans and widows in El Salvador. In 2010, Rodas helped Walker to establish his own charity foundation called – Reach Out Worldwide. Walker’s charity foundation was set up to send immediate help to disaster struck countries and the organisation has successfully demonstrated its abilities in deploying a team of medical experts, and highly trained personnel to countries that were struck by natural disasters such as earthquake, tsunami, typhoon and more. Walker personally led the delegation and offered his personal touch to the proceeding as seen in the pictures below. Some of his most prevailing moments were like flying to Chile, Haiti and also the Indonesian island where he pledge for the island’s beauty to be preserved and not destroyed. In other words, Reach Out Worldwide is a network of first responders who help in the wake of natural disasters.
For more pictures of Paul Walker’s charity: Paul Walker: Shoulders Of An Angel
With the successful partnership establishment between the two, Rodas further sealed the deal with the formation of AE Pirelli World Challenge Team where Walker was listed as one of the drivers, and Rodas as the principle leader of the race team. Even when he was juggling with so many things at once, his racing career was still one of his top priorities. He was moving up the ranks with impressive stealth rising through the division from Porsche-only series to the Pirelli Porsche Driver’s Cup Series. In 2012, he managed to take two first place finishes, six podiums, and finished second overall in the driver’s championship points. Both Rodas and Davis being novice in the series, Rodas finished 13 in GTS points, while Davis secured the 16th place, despite missing the races in St. Petersburg and Lime Rock. It is said that if only Rodas had competed in the races he had previously missed, it was almost certain that he would have been the series rookie of the year.
2013 saw Rodas moving into the World championship as he embraced his love and passion for racing as a professional driver. Rodas campaigned for a Ford Racing Boss 302S Mustang in the Pirelli World Challenge Sports car Championship Series and in 2013 Walker’s foundation, Reach Out Worldwide also became the title sponsor for the æ Pirelli World Challenge race team. Rodas teamed up with fellow racer, Erik Davis who is Autotopia‘s owner with a massive, near-legendary car collection in Los Angeles that he also supplies for movie and TV productions as his co-driver. Rodas drove car number #52 while Davis took over the sister car, number #75.
In June 2013, during an early morning practise at Long Beach California, Rodas’ car experienced an ABS malfunction in turn 1 on the 1.97 mile street circuit that sent him crashing into a wall, which caused an extensive damage to the right hand side of the car. Since the damage was beyond repair, AE teammate, race car driver and Hollywood actor, Paul Walker who recently purchased a similar Ford Mustang Boss 302S agreed to let Rodas use his car for the upcoming Toronto Grand Prix.
Since Walker’s car was still showroom-fresh, the AE team had to work through the night to prepare and ensure that the car would be ready and in its full spec for the Sunday’s qualifying race. When asked why he agreed to let Rodas drive his virgin Boss 302, Walker replied, “Reach Out is about helping people when they need it the most. This is Roger’s first Pirelli World Challenge race… how could I say no?”
When asked about his feelings on moving to the world series and the upcoming race, Rodas seems excited and confident about the race despite him having to swap cars at the very last minute.
“Making the step into professional racing is not easy, but I’m excited for tomorrow’s race. The Pirelli World Challenge fans have been overwhelmingly supportive as they stop by the pits, and I’ll get into the car tomorrow with that energy” Rodas said.
Toronto proved to be Rodas biggest victory to date. His extraordinary succession on the track was extremely impressive as he was noted as one of the most aspiring driver to compete in the Toronto GP. Rodas’ highest finish was fifth at Toronto, impressive since the GTS class had such veteran drivers and season champs such as Lawson Ashenbach, Jack Baldwin and Peter Cunningham. Rodas already showed his world-class driver’s worth and as stated by commentator;
In 10 starts, Rodas had a best finish of fifth place at Toronto in July and finished 13th in the class standings, one spot behind the top rookie, Jim Taggart.
and
“Roger Rodas, of El Salvador, finished an impressive, season-best fifth in the No. 52 Always Evolving Performance Ford Mustang Boss 302S.
Rodas took home two awards. As he started 10th, he took home the Sunoco Hard Charger Award with a gain of five spots. He also secured the Invisible Glass Clean Pass of the Race Award for a move on Tony Gaples, of Libertyville, IL, in the No. 11 Blackdog Speed Shop Chevrolet Camaro, on Lap 5″
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com
Some of his driving highlights include:
- Runner up in driver’s points championship
- 6 Podium finishes
- 2 Race wins
- 2012 – Second place in Pirelli Porsche Driver’s Cup Series championship
- 2013 – Rookie season in Pirelli World Challenge GTS series driving a Ford Boss S
- 5th Place and Highest Finish for a rookie in Toronto
- and more
Walker however had to observe a far more demanding work schedule so he spent most of his time racing on time attack-type events at Buttonwillow or other California tracks. In Dec 2010, Walker joined the Motorsports Enterprise Racing (Team MER) and competed in the 8th Annual 25-hour Endurance Automobile Race at Thunderhill Park in Willows with Roger Rodas, Carl Rydquist and Jeff Westphal as part of his team, driving a Mazda MX5. The annual 25-hour Endurance Automobile Race is the longest automobile endurance race in all of North America and truly puts the driver’s skills and patience to the test. Patrick Dempsey, American actor who is also known for his love and passion for racing also competed in the race. In the same race, Rodas also raced against another Mustang driver in the class, Roger Miller, who by sad coincidence unexpectedly died at the age of 44 last August 18 – Miller’s family owned the Utah Jazz and Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City.
Both men were public-spirited, they did not live ordinary lives, they lived every single day to the fullest of their abilities and used up every mile to the end of its capacity. Paul Walker especially left his Hollywood suit at home and in the race circuit, he was just Paul Walker, feeding the addiction and curbing the desire for speed and he did it while being in the safe surroundings of a race track. In the track where all these kindred spirits met, the object of their desires came to live and the apparatus didn’t only play a part to satisfy its owners, it also helped keep the charity program going. Their lives was one huge satellite tier that constantly transmitted and received energy so they could create a balance in life and in the surroundings.
Rodas was also instrumental in developing waste to energy power plants and wind farms in Central America; he was a visionary who always saw a potential in almost everything. He was a man with a huge appetite and passion for education, speed and living his life to the fullest. He applied the same relentless passion in coaching his family, the young ones, friends, clients, and those in need.
Prior to the deadly crash that occurred about 3:30 p.m. on Nov 30 at Hercules Street near Kelly Johnson Parkway in Valencia, Always Evolving, announced on its company’s website:
“Our next open house and car meet is November 30th from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will have complimentary doughnuts and coffee. Please call ahead to confirm as we may need to cancel due to weather or track events. Please bring a new toy with you as this meet will be a charity toy drive! Thank you!”
Similarly, Reach Out Worldwide also made a similar announcement on their Facebook page;
For more on the crash: Paul Walker: Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die
Walker came alone to the charity event, which was held in support of typhoon Haiyan victims and a charity drive to collect toys for Christmas. It was almost towards the end of the event when cars were being backed up into the garage that the newly acquired 2005 Porsche Carrera GT started stalling. Rodas decided to take the car for a drive to check out the mechanical problem and Walker decided to jump in at the very last minute to help his friend troubleshoot the problem. A few friends at the event noted that it was something that both Rodas and Walker were used to doing.
Walker being the main host of the day left his event but signalled to friends that they would be back in 5 minutes. About 20 minutes later (citation needed), they heard a loud crash and immediately rushed to the scene. Rodas’ 8-year-old son was the first one to arrive at the crash site. He heard the sound and knew there has been an accident but he didn’t know it was his father till he arrived. Everyone tried hard to put out the fire but it was just too huge and spread rather quickly. One of Walker’s friend had to be restrained by the fire department personal since he didn’t want to budge from the fiery wreckage and even hit the authority in his attempt to escape and continue trying to rescue the casualties. An eye-witness who is also an employee of the AE Performance stated that he saw Walker trapped inside the car and that he was unconscious as there was absolutely no movement in the car or from him.
The two kindred spirits came together for their similar passion since both loved cars and had a huge heart in charity. Roger L. Rodas leaves a wife and two children while Paul William Walker leaves behind his 15 years daughter, Meadow Rain Walker. It is exceptionally sad that we have lost not one but two equally generous man whose contribution to the world can’t be replicated. Amidst of maintaining business, acting schedule, family, personal endeavours and more, both of them always found time for charity. Having said so, the world lost two men who lived life at such a high speed but still managed to obey the rules. The only irony is that they first met because of a Porsche and they died too in a Porsche.
RIP Roger Rodas (1975 – 2013) and Paul Walker (1973 – 2013)
About Always Evolving:
Always Evolving is a high end dealership and race preparation company that focuses on specialty car builds. Their clientele includes actors, athletes and other high profile individuals. The Always Evolving Pirelli World Change Team has partnered with the Asomugha Foundation and Reach Out Worldwide, which are two foundations that encourage their volunteers to harness their passions to help others. For more information about Always Evolving and it’s partners:
About Reach Out Worldwide
Founded in late 2010, Reach Out Worldwide is a rapid relief foundation that dispatches doctors, paramedics and heavy rescue professionals to disaster areas around the globe, providing rescue and recovery to those affected by natural disasters.
About The Asomugha Foundation
The Mission: Education is the springboard for innovation and growth. Educational opportunities for vulnerable populations, especially those in poverty, are limited. Our mission is to alleviate the consequences of poverty in vulnerable populations by creating the conditions and environment to support educational opportunities.
More on the news:
Paul Walker: Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die
Latest: Autopsy On Paul Walker and Roger Rodas Cause Of Death Revealed
Paul Walker’s Most Memorable Quotes in Life and From Fast And Furious
The 2005 Porsche Carrera GT; She Was Porsche’s Baby
Walker’s Remains Laid To Rest In A Private Memorial.
Paul Walker: Shoulders Of An Angel
Paul Walker In His Racing Gear.
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