The events of this past weekend were nothing short of a tragedy. Paul Walker and his friend, Roger Rodas, left the automotive world at a loss for words.
Rodas owned Always Evolving, a tuning shop based out of California. He was also an experienced driver and raced with Paul Walker in series such as the Pirelli World Challenge and the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. As for Walker… Well, if it weren’t for Fast and Furious, we never would have seen video games such as Need for Speed: Underground and although tuning was always on the radar, it never would have exploded in popularity.
Let’s face it: We don’t watch Fast and Furious for the gripping plot, the profound character development or the cutting dialogue. But despite all that, we can’t deny just how much Paul Walker and his role as Brian O’Conner impacted car culture. Besides, what self-respecting gear head doesn’t love watching the movies and reciting each memorable quote word-for-word? Come on, you know it don’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning is winning.
And with that, we bring you one of the final scenes from the first Fast and Furious installment. The one that started it all, where Brian O’Conner and his bright-as-heck-orange Toyota Supra dukes it out with Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), who lives life a quarter mile at a time with his 1969 Dodge Charger.
Roger Rodas and Paul Walker’s contributions to the automotive world will never be forgotten. May they rest in peace.
