Match Racing in the Wild South
By Ron Pellegrini
I raced both Tommy Ivo's 4-engine car and the
twin at probably every track in the south. Some of the time I would race one
car on a Wednesday, switch cars, and race the twin on Saturday, and then
back to the 4-engine on Sunday. Seem also to remember some Friday nights.
Had two trailers and some help towing the cars around. We did a lot of
dealer displays for Buick and were busy seven days a week. A lot of fun. Can
remember a time when the track gave away live turkeys (off the back of a
pick up) and some ended up with less than a whole turkey after fighting and
pulling for the prize.
I remember one operator who had a reputation
of disappearing at pay out time and had to figure out a way to get the
money. He told me that he would meet me at the motel after the race. This
was my first time at his track and I did not want to confront him about the
pay out. His young son rode with me to the motel and we made a
"trade" when we got there. I have attached two other ads from that
era. Notice the "races rain or shine."
Ron Pellegrini