Nick Dioguardi

Nick Dioguardi (October 12, 1932 – May 11, 2015) was a racing driver born in Alia, Italy, based in Glendale, California. Throughout his career Dioguardi made a single IndyCar start in 1970.

Racing career

Dioguardi first appeared on the national racing series at the 1965 SCCA National Championship Runoffs. At Daytona International Speedway Dioguardi ran a Brabham in the Formula SCCA race. Dioguardi started 21st but failed to finish the race running in ninth place. The following year, at Riverside International Raceway, he finished in first place beating Phil Groggins.[1] In 1969 Dioguardi, at the Riverside Grand Prix, his Lotus Formula C struck a photographer. The photographer survived the impact suffering a broken leg.[2]

As of 1968 Dioguardi also ran in Formula A. Both times, in 1968 and 1969, he failed to finish the race. Dioguardi first ran a World Racing Enterprises Shadow in 1968 and a Surtees TS5 the following year. In 1969 Dioguardi also entered the Continental 49'er at Sears Point Raceway. He finished in fifteenth place in the fourth round of the 1969 SCCA Continental Championship.[3] In 1971 Dioguardi ran the complete season in the Surtees. Sponsored by Delta Tire Dioguardi scored a single point. At the Mid-Ohio Grand Prix he finished in tenth place.[4]

Dioguardi made two appearances in IndyCar. In 1969 he was entered by Arciero Racing in an Eisert 64. The car built to Formula A specifications failed to qualify at Riverside.[5] The following year Dioguardi returned, at Phoenix International Raceway. He qualified 24th, and last. After 28 of the Phoenix 150 Dioguardi crashed.[6]

He later made appearances in Can-Am. In 1972 Dioguardi ran at Laguna Seca and Riverside. He ran a Titanium Ti22. The car was revolutionary when it was introduced in 1969 but disappointed earlier at the hands of Jackie Oliver and David Hobbs. Dioguardi's best result was 13th at Riverside.[7]

Personal

Dioguardi was born October 12, 1932 in Alia, Sicily. Together with his parents and two brothers the family moved to Los Angeles in 1949. In 1953 the family settled in Glendale, California in 1953. The three brothers ran Dio Brothers Automotive. On May 11, 2015, Dioguardi died in his native Alia.[8]

Car collection

Dioguardi was an avid car collector. The Dioguardi Collectioned was auctioned after he died.[9] The March 86C, chassis number 86C-24, was raced by Josele Garza in the 1986 Indianapolis 500. The car was later raced by Chip Ganassi.[10]

Year builtCarClass
1967Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior
1969Fiat 500L Coupe
1969Fiat 500L Coupe
1974Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 Coupe U.S. Spec
1974Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 Coupe European Spec
1975Jensen Interceptor Convertible
1977Mercedes-Benz 450SL Convertible
1979Alfa Romeo Spider
1984Ralt RT5Formula Super Vee
1986March 86CIndyCar
1988Dallara F388Formula 3

Motorsports results

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

YearTrackCarEngineClassFinishStartStatus
1965DaytonaBrabhamFordFormula C921Retired
1966RiversideBrabhamFordFormula C11Running
1968RiversideWRE-ShadowChevroletFormula A10Retired
1971Road AtlantaSurtees TS5ChevroletFormula A78Retired

American Open-Wheel racing results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest race lap)

USAC National Championship

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Rank Points
1969 Arciero Racing Eisert 64
PHX1

HAN

INDY

MIL

LAN

PIP

CDR

NAZ

TRE1

IRP1

IRP1

MIL2

SPR

DDIS

DQSF

ISF

BRN1

BRN2

TRE2

SAC

KEN1

KEN2

PHX2

RIV
DNQ
N.C. -
1970 Arciero Racing Eisert 64
PHX1
21

SON

TRE1

INDY

MIL1

LAN

CDR

MIC

IRP

SPR

IRP1

MIL2

ONT

DQSF

ISF

SED

TRE2

SAC

PHX2
N.C. -

SCCA Grand Prix Championship

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Rank Points
1969 WRE-Shadow
RIV

LS

CDR

SON
15

ROA

LRP1

BRA

LRP2

TRE

THO

SEB
0
1970 WRE-Shadow
RIV

EDM

SEA

LS

SON
DNS

DAL

ROA<

TRE

BRA

LRP

MOS

MDO

SEB
0
1971 Dioguardi Bros Surtees TS5B
RIV
24

LS
26

SEA
19

MDO
10

ROA
16

EDM
22

BRA
13

LRP
21
28th 1

Can-Am results

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rank Points
1972 Dioguardi Bros Titanium Ti22
MOS

ATL

WGI

MDO

ROA

DON

EDM

LS
DNS

RIV
13
N.C. -

References

  1. "SCCA Runoffs Driver Histories" (PDF). SCCA. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  2. "Cannon Wins Riverside Grand Prix". Lodi News-Sentinel. April 21, 1969. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  3. "Continental 49'er Sears Point, 22 Jun 1969". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  4. "Mid-Ohio Grand Prix Mid-Ohio, 5 Jul 1971". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  5. "Eisert". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  6. "Phoenix 150". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  7. "All Results of Titanium Ti 22 Mk II". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  8. "Nick Dioguardi (1932–2015)". Glendale News-Press. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  9. "The Dioguardi Collection". Auctions America. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  10. "1986 March 86C Indianapolis Racecar". Auctions America. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
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