Ralph Sanchez

Ralph Sanchez

Ralph Sanchez Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 3, 2013.
MIAMI (AP) - South Florida businessman Ralph Sanchez, who founded the Grand Prix of Miami and Homestead-Miami Speedway, has died. He was 64.

Speedway officials said that Sanchez passed away Monday morning following prolonged health problems.

"It's difficult to underestimate the impact Ralph Sanchez had on motorsports in South Florida," speedway president Matthew Becherer said. "Through the Grand Prix of Miami race that was originally run downtown, he put the region on the global sports map years before the Heat, Marlins and Panthers. Also considering that Sanchez leaves this community with a world-class venue that hosts championship races, his legacy will live on."

Sanchez, a native Cuban, was sent to Miami alone as a child in the early 1960s. His father was concerned, because Sanchez had been recruited to help forces fighting Fidel Castro's new regime.

Sanchez initially lived with an aunt and uncle in Miami before the couple moved to Nicaragua. Sanchez then lived in a Catholic orphanage until he turned 18. His parents, his brother and grandmother joined him in Miami in the late 1960s. Sanchez eventually went on to earn an accounting degree from Florida Atlantic University and to become a successful land developer.

Sanchez founded the Grand Prix of Miami in 1983. The International Motor Sports Association race was held downtown until 1993.

After that, Sanchez worked with Homestead and Miami-Dade County officials to build the speedway. The project broke ground in August 1993, exactly one year after Hurricane Andrew wiped out much of Homestead.

The track is credited with being a major catalyst for redevelopment following the Category 5 hurricane that leveled large portions of Miami-Dade County. The speedway hosted its first NASCAR race in November 1995.

Al Garcia, the vice president for operations at Homestead-Miami Speedway and the longest tenured track employee, worked for Sánchez s tarting in 1984.

"He was charismatic, yet tough as nails," Garcia said of Sanchez. "Above all, Ralph was very loyal. You have to give him credit for pursuing his dreams in racing and forgoing what had been to that point been a lucrative career as a developer. I am very proud to have known Ralph and to have worked alongside him."

Sanchez is survived by his wife Lourdes, daughter Patricia and son Ralph Jr.


Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sign Ralph Sanchez's Guest Book

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April 13, 2023

William Baros posted to the memorial.

March 15, 2020

allen Feldman posted to the memorial.

January 22, 2020

Andres J Sanchez posted to the memorial.

29 Entries

William Baros

April 13, 2023

Ralph,I knew you when you, Lois Sereix, Tico Alameida got Cuban involvement started in road racing at Miami Hollywood with the ACALAM club. Miss you buddy!!

allen Feldman

March 15, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Andres J Sanchez

January 22, 2020

Tio, I think about you everyday of my life. I love you today and always. May you look over me. Thank you for everything. I LOVE YOU

William Aguillon

January 22, 2019

Ralph, in the early 80s I was a high school kid working in your neighborhood gas station. You used to drive in in your red Porsche 911 or with Lourdes in her BMW 735. While I was gassing up your cars for you would tell me racing stories. You knew I was true gearhead and racing fan. One day you told me about the inaugural Miami Grand Prix and you invited me and some of my buddies to be a part of it. You set us up to promotion work before and during the race. We would pick posters, decals and other promotional material from your small Kendall office. My friends and I pasted them all over town! Our reward were VIP passes to the race! We could go wherever we wanted. We felt like big shots and we had a great time! I remember feeling bad about the terrible weather that day, forcing officials to cut the race short. Speaking with you a few days afterward. I could see the disappointment and stress you were dealing with. But you also told me; "It's not over yet. There will be sunnier days ahead."
Thank you and Lourdes for being so kind to this high school kid. You taught me a lesson on how to deal with life's problems with grace and class.

February 20, 2016

Ralph was a great friend to us of us and ralph you will always remember my mom , my dad and i
in our lives . allen

August 7, 2013

Ralph was one of the true "good guys" of South Florida. His integrity, genuineness and honesty were his best qualities. South Florida has lost a great visionary. I was privileged to have worked for him. Oscar I. Marti

Lonnie Dryden

July 10, 2013

Ralph you were a great friend and I thought the world of all your success. I think of all the great times at g.willakers and yesterdays restaurant and seeing you days before your passing at the mai kai, one of your favorite places. I'm going to miss your smiling face and your true friendship of 35 years, your friend always, thanks for being mine.

Caroline Weiss

April 12, 2013

Ralph, you will always be remember for your honesty and integrity in South Florida. You have left your mark and your legacy in our community. You will always be remember as a legend. Your family will always be proud and always in their hearts and in the hearts of everyone that you have come in contact with. Your dreams, aspirations and acheivments will be hard to follow, but you have set the example for others to try. To the Sanchez family, may his memories be eternal.

April 12, 2013

please know that our Heavenly Father is aware of our heavy hearts.He has said that "He is the One that is comforting his people".(ish.51:12)

Mitch Wilson

April 4, 2013

Ralphs contribution,to racing,has touched all of us who race,God speed my friend

April 4, 2013

~"May the God who gives peace with all of YOU." Romans 15:33

Malone Family

April 4, 2013

May our Creator give you comfort during this time of sorrow. Many people are emotionally and spiritually strengthen after reading the Scriptures to learn their love one is no longer suffering. (Genesis 2:7; 3:19)

April 4, 2013

Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.

April 4, 2013

May God provide strength and comfort for his family and close friends.

April 3, 2013

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

April 3, 2013

Lourdes & family,
Beautiful service today at St. Hugh and the words by Patricia and Nicolas were inspiring/awesome!!
You must be very proud of all that he & you accomplished as well as his legacy-his family!!
Deseandote lo mejor siempre,
Juan & Martha Galan
Coral Gables, FL

April 3, 2013

Sorry to hear of the death of your loved one. Death is never an easy thing to accept but with the help of our loving Father, we can endure the pain. John 17:3. Keep the faith!

a b

April 3, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

April 3, 2013

May the Father of tender mercies be with you during this time of deep sorrow.

Scott Chamberland

April 3, 2013

Please accept my Deepest Sympathies

Dwayne Bickham

April 3, 2013

rest in peace

April 3, 2013

May it be a comfort for your family to know that God, as well as others, care about your feelings at this time.

Sincerely,

April 3, 2013

My condolences to the Sanchez family. May our Heavenly Father, the God of comfort and tender mercies be with you all. 2Cor1:2,3. ~ Alabama

verna

April 3, 2013

To the family and friends of Mr. Sanchez you have have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear love one. May the God who comforts all people comfort you in your time of need.

April 3, 2013

You will always be alive in everyone as long as racing and building cars are here" Santa Maria California''

James Willner

April 3, 2013

May the eternal light shine upon him.....

Cynthia

April 3, 2013

To the Sanchez family.May the God of all comfort and peace be with your dear family.May Ralph fond memories stay close to your hearts.Isaiah33:24.

April 3, 2013

Sincere sympathy to family and fiends and comfort.Eccl.9::11.

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Sign Ralph Sanchez's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

April 13, 2023

William Baros posted to the memorial.

March 15, 2020

allen Feldman posted to the memorial.

January 22, 2020

Andres J Sanchez posted to the memorial.