This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2013) |
Cliff Bergere | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born | New York, New York, U.S. | December 6, 1896||||||
Died | June 18, 1980 Dade City, Florida, U.S. | (aged 83)||||||
Champ Car career | |||||||
22 races run over 16 years | |||||||
Best finish | 4th (tie) (1939, 1941) | ||||||
First race | 1927 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
Last race | 1947 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
|
Cliff Bergere[1] (December 6, 1896 – June 18, 1980) was an American stuntman and racing driver.
Bergere did stunt driving for movies, including the 1923 film The Eagle's Talons, before embarking on a racing career. From 1927 to 1947, he started the Indianapolis 500 sixteen times, missing only the 1930 race. He started the race from the front row three times and won the pole in 1946. At age 49, he was the oldest pole winner ever. He finished third in 1932 and 1939 and completed the 1941 race without making a pit stop, finishing fifth.
Bergere had the distinction of the most starts in Indianapolis 500 history at the time of his career (16), a record he held until 1974.