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. In 1969, Dioguardi, at the Riverside Grand Prix, his Lotus Formula C struck a photographer. The photographer survived the impact, suffering a broken leg.
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. 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.
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. The following year, Dioguardi returned, at Phoenix International Raceway. He qualified 24th, and last. After 28 laps of the Phoenix 150, Dioguardi crashed.
Dioguradi later made appearances in Can-Am. In 1972, he 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.
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.
Car collection Dioguardi was an avid car collector. The Dioguardi Collectioned was auctioned after he died. 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.
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
SCCA National Championship Runoffs
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 (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 64PHX1HANINDYMILLANPIPCDRNAZTRE1IRP1IRP1MIL2SPRDDISDQSFISFBRN1BRN2TRE2SACKEN1KEN2PHX2RIVDNQ N.C. - 1970 Arciero Racing Eisert 64PHX121SONTRE1INDYMIL1LANCDRMICIRPSPRIRP1MIL2ONTDQSFISFSEDTRE2SACPHX2 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 SON15 ROA LRP1 BRA LRP2 TRE THO SEB – 0 1970 WRE-Shadow RIV EDM SEA LS SONDNS DAL ROA< TRE BRA LRP MOS MOH SEB – 0 1971 Dioguardi Bros Surtees TS5B RIV24 LS26 SEA19 MOH10 ROA16 EDM22 BRA13 LRP21 28th 1
Can-Am results
Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rank Points 1972 Dioguardi Bros Titanium Ti22MOSATLWGIMOHROADONEDMLSDNSRIV13 N.C. -
References