Don Castro, born in Hollister, California on December 28, 1949, has enjoyed an illustrious career in motorcycle racing for the Triumph and Yamaha factories, and as a privateer, and inducted in to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He started his career racing around his hometown as a teenager on a Honda 90 until his father bought him a Triumph. He won his first race on the Triumph at age 16.
In his rookie year Castro won seven Junior Nationals and came 2nd to Dave Aldana for the Junior of the Year title. This prompted Triumph racing boss Pete Coleman to sign Castro for a factory ride in 1970. He would race against Dick Mann, Gene Romero and Gary Nixon in the heyday of the sport, coming third in his first road race at the Daytona 200 aboard a Triumph Triple, finishing the rookie season in 5th place overall. He finally retired from racing in 1976. His life and antics are the subject of the 1990 film Learning Curve.
The 1969 Montesa Flat Tracker on offer here comes with an interesting history. On his way to the race at the Astrodome in Houston, Castro stopped in Gardena CA for some parts. While inside, his unattended van, with all the tools and two bikes were stolen. Needing a something to race Castro and his friends scrambled to get a bike together. The Trackmaster frame was sourced but had not yet been nickel plated. A 1969 Montesa Cappra GP 250cc engine was found and the cycle parts all came together in only 3 days, as seen here. He raced this bike for the rest of the season until Yamaha offered him a factory ride.
Frame no. DC
Engine no. 43M0034
Location: Ventura, California
SOLD
