Tommy Ivo
| Tommy Ivo | |
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| Born | April 18, 1936 Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Occupation | Actor and Drag racer |
| Years active | 1944–1973 |
Tommy Ivo (born April 18, 1936, in Denver, Colorado), also known as "TV Tommy",[1] is an actor and drag racer, who was active in the 1960s racing community. In the late 1950s, Ivo raced a twin (side by side) Nailhead Buick engined dragster which was the first Gasoline Powered dragster to break the nine-second barrier. The car held the Drag News Standard 1320 AA/GD et record at 8.69. The Twin Buick also was the first gas dragster to record speeds of 170, 175 and 180 mph which were Standard 1320 records as well. It was unique in appearance and won numerous races, including NASCAR's first National Drag Race. Later he designed a four-engine, four-wheel-drive dragster he called "The Showboat," but the National Hot Rod Association ruled it the first "exhibition" dragster, so he was unable to race it.
In the 1961-1962 season, Ivo played the role of Haywood Botts, boyfriend of the fictitious Margie Clayton, portrayed by Cynthia Pepper, in the ABC television sitcom Margie, set during the Roaring Twenties. In 1964 Ivo travelled to England, with Don Garlits, Tony Nancy, Dante Duce and other racers to participate in the First International Drag Festival, a six-event series that did much to promote the sport of drag racing in the UK.
[edit] Award
- He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2005 for his drag racing career.
- Ranked No.25 on the National Hot Rod Association Top 50 Drivers, 1951-2000.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Hot Rod, 12/86, p.27.
- ^ No. 25: Tommy Ivo; NHRA; written in 2001; Retrieved March 6, 2008
[edit] External links
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