Angelito “Lito” Mata was a good man. I can’t say that I knew him very well but I always got a good vibe from him. He seemed like a very genuine man who cared about others and cared about this great hobby of ours. I knew Lito through the Wekfest USA tour, where he would occasionally pop up whenever he found the time to volunteer to help the staff at the different stops on the annual tour. We would chat in passing but I always had a running joke with the guys on the staff that he was Junior from Wekfest’s stunt double. Anytime he showed-up or didn’t, I’d ask the rest of the guys where Junior’s stunt double was, and we all had a good chuckle about it. I never expected him to one day not come out again. I think we do that as humans. Sometimes we just sort of forget that life is incredibly fleeting because we are all so caught up in our daily routine. I’ve learned a lot about the human condition in my time, more so than I think many of the people around me, and mortality is something that is on my mind. I’ve been through some things in my lifetime that puts life into perspective but I am human, and I also do just sometimes get caught up in the moment and forget about the bigger picture. When I arrived that day to the memorial meet that Lito’s friends set-up for him, I really felt like I myself received a better understanding of who he was as a man. He was human as well. Flawed, made some decisions in his life that he may not have been the most proud of, but there wasn’t a dry eye at that park that day. Everyone knew Lito their own way and they cared very much for him as he cared about everyone that was there to pay their final respects to him. He considered the people in this hobby of our’s to be his extended family and he often spoke to people, even those who were strangers, to pass along a kind word and/or to make sure they were doing okay. I wish I would have spent more time on the tour chatting with him, just to sort of get a better understanding on his outlook on life. It is a true shame that he is gone now, because I will never get that opportunity, and those who he made an impact on would never be able to hear him speak or see his smile again. Life is indeed an incredibly precious thing. Live a life so that those around you will never forget the person that you were. Make mistakes, take risks, challenge yourself, but overall, try to be a good, decent human being who cares and is passionate about something…
I attended Angelito Mata’s memorial meet because I wanted to be there to support my friends who held Lito dear to them. I think in times of struggle or loss, it is important to be there for your friends, even if you are there just to pass along a greeting or a hug to comfort them. I didn’t intend on shooting any photos but I thought that it would be nice to commemorate that day in his honor. I think he would have liked that. It was great to hear his family and friends speak about him. Lito was a good dude and it is a shame he had to leave us so soon.
Rest in Peace Angelito Mata. You are in a better place now and your memory lives on in the minds of those whom you impacted in the years you were here on Earth with us. Thank you.
Members of Team Xclusiv, Lito’s car club, got in front of the crowd to say some kind words about their friend…
People stopped by to donate money for the funeral services as well as to write some words for Lito…
His LS400 was also brought out and put on display right at the forefront for all to see and appreciate…
Ernesto “Junior” Sarmiento from Wekfest USA’s Chevy Impala, which he dubs “ATS Selena”…
Custom VIP-styled Lexus SC430 from Endless Projects on Work Wheels…
Lloyd Morales’ Vertex S14 Kouki looking fantastic as always. One of my favorites from the Bay Area…
Traditional two-toned AE86 Corolla utilizing bolt-on flares to house aggressive Work Meister CR-01 wheels…
This Voltex Evolution looked pretty great with custom paint and all the necessary bits from Voltex Suzuka…
Lovely concave face and center bore on these Advan Racing TCIII wheels…
Another angle just so you can see how great the Advan wheels fit on the widened body of the Evo…
Always interesting to see people invest time and money into lesser-known or less-popular chassis’ like this Toyota Corolla. Looks to have a JDM front end conversion on it, sideskirts, and TOM’S Racing wheels…
Can’t say I’ve seen this Rocket Bunny Scion FR-S before. Nice color and WED’S wheels set-up…
UCF20 LS400 on Fabulous Profound wheels…
Honda S2000 on white Volk Racing TE37…
Chargespeed widebody Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X from Team Xclusiv…
Nicely done FC3S RX-7 with 13B Rotary set-up sitting on period-correct Advan Sienna wheels…
Toyota Sienna SE looking great on Volk Racing TE37Ultra…
R32 Skyline GT-R from Speed Element on Volk CE28…
…and a rarely-seen R33 Skyline GT-R also on Volk Racing wheels…
Voltex-equipped Subaru WRX STI pignose on TE37SL…
Loved how the custom bodywork came out on this Lexus GS from Pure VIP….
Custom front fenders and underneath them are 3-piece modular Rotiform wheels in a custom copper finish…
Close-up look of the 326Power extended “Stance Nation” Edition lug nuts. Also note the 326Power big brakes behind the wheel faces…
Varis widebody Mitsu Evo X on Work Meister S1R representing Speed Element…
Bagged, custom widebody Subaru WRX wagon from Pure VIP on custom Work VS-XX…
David Uy’s Ferrari 458 Italia with 458GT3 aero kit and gold Volk Racing TE37…
David’s girlfriend, “Ms Barbie’s” R35 GTR with Rocket Bunny Pandem aero kit…
…and wrapping up this set with a shot of the couple’s crazy rides together…
Thanks for looking and my best wishes and condolences to Lito’s family and friends. We lost a good one. May he rest in peace…
Thanks for your words man, i can relate since i’ve had a rough few years riddled with deaths of people near to me. Also, thank you for continuing to bring these pictures of beautiful cars. I’m on the other side of the big pond where the carscene is nothing compared to japan and the u.s., so i appreciate it very much.