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

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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

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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

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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 built Car Class
1967 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior
1969 Fiat 500L Coupe
1969 Fiat 500L Coupe
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 Coupe U.S. Spec
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 Coupe European Spec
1975 Jensen Interceptor Convertible
1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Convertible
1979 Alfa Romeo Spider
1984 Ralt RT5 Formula Super Vee
1986 March 86C IndyCar
1988 Dallara F388 Formula 3

Motorsports results

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SCCA National Championship Runoffs

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Year Track Car Engine Class Finish Start Status
1965 Daytona Brabham Ford Formula C 9 21 Retired
1966 Riverside Brabham Ford Formula C 1 1 Running
1968 Riverside WRE-Shadow Chevrolet Formula A 10 Retired
1971 Road Atlanta Surtees TS5 Chevrolet Formula A 7 8 Retired

American Open-Wheel racing results

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

USAC National Championship

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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

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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

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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

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  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.