T.V. Tommy Ivo with Don Prudhomme. August 7, 1960 Biloxi, MS (Photos, Jim Dupree)
Tommy Ivo Wins At Biloxi Meet
From DRAG NEWS
Biloxi, Miss. August 7th Tommy Ivo, from Burbank, California, feature attraction at the Gulf Coast Drag Strip, put on a magnificient performance of speed and coordination between man and machine as he turned in the 9 second bracket at 160 mph.
The movie and TV star stood by his car signing autographs and answering questions to many inquestions drag racers around him. His car is a beautiful red machine, richly chromed in perfect taste and is powered with two Buick engines. With skillful handling of his dragster Tommy Ivo turned on the steam to defeat our regular Top Eliminator of the day.
In regular eliminations, Tony DiBenedetto of Hammond Louisiana driving the Frank's Radio Special, a Chevy powered dragster, defeated Paul Vanderley of Biloxi driving his blown Chrysler dragster, by a scant two car lengths in Top Eliminator of the day in 10.56 seconds at 124 mph.
Ivo approached the starting line beside DiBenedetto to see how the local boys could do against a World's Champion. The crowd was on it's feet and silence prevailed as the flagman looked to both men and gave his nod. Both machines were off in a cloud of burning rubber and as the smoke cleared DiBenedetto was holding a slight lead over the champ. The crowd went wild in anticipation of an upset. When Ivo was about three fourths of the way down the strip he turned on the power and went flying through the trap in 9.6 secs to 160.69 mph to defeat the local boy by five car lengths.
In Little Eliminator, Marion Walton driving his Chevy powered, Devon sports car was up to his old tricks again in defeating all comers for the trophy. He found the going plenty rough as his principal rival, B.C. Naguin, driving his hot Corvette came close to winning as Walton had only a one car length lead as they went through the traps. The winning time was 12.02 at 138 mph.
Pictured above Unknown, Marion Walton, Paul Vanderly's Chry. Dragster. August 7, 1960 Biloxi, MS (Photos, Jim Dupree)
Tommy Ivo Twin Buick Engine Dragster. August 7, 1960 Biloxi, MS (Photos, Bubba Cummins)
