Mark Kariya | April 2, 2024
Ricardo Barbosa, the owner of Three Brothers Racing, one of the most successful KTM dealerships in the nation, passed away late last month.
A celebration of life was recently held for Ricardo Barbosa, the owner of Three Brothers Racing, who passed away late last month.
No one epitomized achieving “The American Dream” more than Ricardo Barbosa. Born in Brazil, he and his new wife, Giovanna, visited the U.S. on their honeymoon in 1984.
So struck were they by the opportunities available here, they never left and became citizens.
Ricardo and his brothers Andre, Paolo and Roberto were passionate motorcycle riders and soon turned that passion into a business, opening Three Brothers Racing in Southern California in 1989. (Roberto was more of a late entry into the business, and since the name Three Brothers was already established, it stuck.)
All the Barbosa brothers loved to race, and they competed in a variety of events in AMA’s District 37, which encompasses much of Southern California. Being a club-oriented AMA District, they ended up joining the Viewfinders and the Fun Team Motorcycle Clubs. Ricardo’s daughter Kelly and son Kevin also embraced the two-wheeled lifestyle, both finding success and making many friends.
Though his brothers eventually moved on to other pursuits, Ricardo remained steadfast in building the Three Brothers Racing dealership, and it thrived. KTM recognized it as its top dealer a number of times, as Three Brothers often sold more units than any other dealer in the country, even after taking on other brands.
Through it all, racing remained a core component and one that Ricardo emphasized. Whether it was through sponsoring different series like the AMA District 37 Big 6 Grand Prix Series, the AMA National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) Series, the grueling yet popular Three Brothers Endurance Race Series at Glen Helen Raceway with its 6-, 10- and 24-hour events or his sponsorship of different teams and riders, racing was the nucleus around which Three Brothers operated. In addition to the shop’s own Three Brothers Racing team to satellite teams like 3Bros./Hatch Racing and Kilmartin Racing that could act as feeders for factory teams, Ricardo built an empire impossible to ignore.
As a result, people gravitated to him, and he responded in a genuine, personal way—the same way he treated his customers as well as anyone who wandered into the shop “just looking around.” Family, friends, customers or just visitors—Ricardo loved them all and enjoyed the many relationships he built with his tribe.
Some of his many past and present sponsored racers included Colton Aeck, Kai Aiello, Zach Bell, Bryan Burch, Nic Garvin, Jett Lessing, Dalton Shirey, Andrew Schulz and Nick Stover. These are just a few of the many who will never forget what Ricardo did for their careers.
Ricardo left this world on March 17, 2024, at age 62, very much (as we who are left behind imagine) on his terms: while racing his dirt bike at Glen Helen. His death was not caused by a crash but by what the family has termed health complications. He leaves behind Giovanna, Kelly, Karinna and Kevin, his brothers and other relatives, plus a multitude of friends, customers and business associates.
Though Ricardo cannot be replaced, the Barbosas promise to keep his legacy alive by ensuring that Three Brothers Racing stays on the gas.CN
