“TV" Tommy Ivo: Drag Racing’s Master Showman by Tom Cotter
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From the Publisher
In 1961, Tommy Ivo had the world in the palm of his hand. At 25, he was not only a star of television and screen, but a successful touring drag racer as well. Then his producers told him he had to quit racing.
Ivo quit Hollywood instead.
Here is the story of “TV” Tommy’s incredible life and racing career, related by Ivo to award-winning automotive journalist Tom Cotter and profusely illustrated with images from Ivo’s own archives. Follow the former child star as he evolves from teenage hot rodder to the world’s most ambitious drag racer, building his own cars in the garage behind his Burbank home and barnstorming the nation. In addition to profiling Ivo’s 31 iconic cars—including his trendsetting ’23 T-bucket, his mind-bending twin- and four-engine dragsters, and the Funny Cars in which he took his leave from the racing stage—Cotter relates how Ivo, ever the showman, pioneered the techniques that today’s race promoters take for granted. Throughout, the tales behind Ivo’s career and
cars are generously complemented with commentary from such racing luminaries as Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, and Shirley Muldowney.
Tommy Ivo’s impact on the sport cannot be understated. Here, finally, is the definitive biography of one of drag racing’s most irrepressible characters
From the Back Cover
Praise for Drag Racing’s Master Showman, “TV” Tommy Ivo:
“When no one had mag wheels, Ivo had polished Halibrands. When guys were welding up junkyard parts, Ivo had candy apple paint jobs and chrome plating. It was Ivo who helped turn drag racing from a hobby into a profession. He deserves all the credit.” —Drag racing legend Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, from his foreword
“Ivo was tough, and he figured out early on that he could make more money as a showman than as a serious competitor. In those days, competitive drag racing didn’t pay very much.” —Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, 17-time national drag racing champion
“Ivo taught me to make people laugh even when I wasn’t winning. He taught me to look fans in the eye when I signed autographs, to ask their name and to make them feel special.” —John Force, 14-time Funny Car champion.
Thanks to Tom Cotter for such an incredible Book about Drag Racing’s Master Showman, “TV” Tommy Ivo.
This is a must have Book!
You can purchase this book Online or wherever books are sold!
We give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Here is a link to the book on Amazon.com
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Each Chapter of this book is full of commentary and stories & Pictures from Tommy Ivo’s life as an actor and Drag Racer |
Tommy did about 100 movies and over 200 Television Shows “I played the parts of everything from being the proverbial Western Union Telegram delivery man, to being the star lead.” |
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