Brown & white Ford truck in background at the 1.02 mark on the timer is my dad, myself and a couple friends. This was the last of the qualy runs and we were gonna watch from the end of the track so we could beat the traffic out. One of the worst crashes I had ever witnessed. I thought Tommy was a gonner! He only needed a band-aid.
FEAR... fear in his eyes... NO SH#T I see fear in YOUR eyes as well just watching this two week old digger being turned into scrap. OF COURSE he wasin fear !
A couple of years ago, I e-mailed Don Garlits and asked him about those wheel pants they used to use. Garlits did confirm that SR-19 (Swamp Rat 19-1973)did have them for a very short time. He did say that he had handling trouble from the very first run and discarded them soon after. He then told me that NHRA outlawed them a short time later. The cars today are so fast and powerful, it's less and less common to just walk away from a crash like this.
This crash was at Pomona 1974. The wheel pants weren't outlawed until 1975. Dick LaHaie crashed with them twice that year. Ivo was my #1 hero in drag racing.
One of the factors involved with this crash may have been those front wheel covers known as "wheel pants". They were very popular in 1973, but led to some crashes. NHRA outlawed them soon after that same year. This one was definitely the motor letting go, though. Ivo was always the showman, even in his crashes. Met him several times at Fremont. Nice guy, always gave the fans his best.
you're right.his engine literally "zeroed out" during that pre-race burnout against John "tarzan" Austin-another top-fuel racer of yore and Ivo's former team mehcanic-,and the engine's massive torque rolled the car end-over-end thorough the track's length.thankfully,TV Tom survived that ordeal to race(he retired in '82)another given weekend
@earth2joe They were still using them in 1975 since I took a photo of Ivo doing a fire burnout that was in Hot Cars Magazine. Just Google "Pentax Ivo fire burnout" and you will see my photo that was in Hot Cars Magazine.
Brown & white Ford truck in background at the 1.02 mark on the timer is my dad, myself and a couple friends. This was the last of the qualy runs and we were gonna watch from the end of the track so we could beat the traffic out. One of the worst crashes I had ever witnessed. I thought Tommy was a gonner! He only needed a band-aid.
beyondnascar 9 months ago
Funny, its the first time ive noticed he carried it home in a wheel barrow.
TheoneGodfather 1 year ago
I always liked Ivo because he dared to be different with the Buick nailhead dragsters.
bender138 1 year ago
FEAR... fear in his eyes... NO SH#T I see fear in YOUR eyes as well just watching this two week old digger being turned into scrap. OF COURSE he wasin fear !
POISONIVO 1 year ago
This is why your car shouldnt be built out of legos
TehkidPheer 1 year ago
At some pictures you can see the fear in his eyes.
jimmy506persson 1 year ago
It's at the 1974 Winternationals (at Pomona of course)
68SSCAM 2 years ago
I saw Ivo and Garlits match race at Van Wert,Ohio in 1970 or 71. WOW how things have changed since then ! hahaha
nitrofumes 2 years ago
Tommy Ivo.....IMO drag racing's greatest driver never to have won a Top Fuel Championship
Jackamoo1 3 years ago
A couple of years ago, I e-mailed Don Garlits and asked him about those wheel pants they used to use. Garlits did confirm that SR-19 (Swamp Rat 19-1973)did have them for a very short time. He did say that he had handling trouble from the very first run and discarded them soon after. He then told me that NHRA outlawed them a short time later. The cars today are so fast and powerful, it's less and less common to just walk away from a crash like this.
earth2joe 3 years ago
This crash was at Pomona 1974. The wheel pants weren't outlawed until 1975. Dick LaHaie crashed with them twice that year. Ivo was my #1 hero in drag racing.
BLIDKIN 4 years ago
One of the factors involved with this crash may have been those front wheel covers known as "wheel pants". They were very popular in 1973, but led to some crashes. NHRA outlawed them soon after that same year. This one was definitely the motor letting go, though. Ivo was always the showman, even in his crashes. Met him several times at Fremont. Nice guy, always gave the fans his best.
earth2joe 4 years ago
you're right.his engine literally "zeroed out" during that pre-race burnout against John "tarzan" Austin-another top-fuel racer of yore and Ivo's former team mehcanic-,and the engine's massive torque rolled the car end-over-end thorough the track's length.thankfully,TV Tom survived that ordeal to race(he retired in '82)another given weekend
599GTBF1 3 years ago
@earth2joe They were still using them in 1975 since I took a photo of Ivo doing a fire burnout that was in Hot Cars Magazine. Just Google "Pentax Ivo fire burnout" and you will see my photo that was in Hot Cars Magazine.
jogibajr 7 months ago
yes i think ur right!
it is Pomona! nice post!
AADRAGS 4 years ago
glad he survived!thanx
bluespower 4 years ago