Frank Armi

12/10/1918 - 28/11/1992

Record updated 12-Oct-06

Frank started racing in Midgets before moving up to the AAA national championship in 1950. Was part of the unsuccessful World Midget Automobile Association tour of the UK in 1948.

Frank Armi
Born in Portland, Frank started racing in Midgets before moving up to the AAA national championship in 1950.
 
In 1948 he had been part of the tour to England organised by the millionaire business tycoon H.J. “Bob” Topping and a syndicate consisting of Bert Friedlob, Henry J. Topping Jnr and Norman Hanak. They formed the “World Midget Automobile Association” to take a team of midget racing drivers to England. Actresses Miss Lana Turner (Mrs Topping) and Eleanor Parker (Mrs Friedlob) provided considerable enhancement to the “WMAA” publicity team in London. 20 drivers were signed up to race at three venues, Stamford Bridge (home of the current champions of English soccer, Chelsea FC), The Valley (Charlton Athletic FC) and the Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium. The 10-week tour commenced on Thursday, May 13 1948 at Stamford Bridge. Unfortunately poor tracks and negative publicity saw the series cut short after 5 weeks.

In 1951 he took part in 3 races and tried to qualify for the Indy 500. Despite driving 3 different cars, a Kurits Kraft, a Scopa and a Bardazon, he didn't manage to get among the top 33. At the end of the season, he was classified 51st with 10 points
.
In 1952 he took part in 3 races again and improved by finishing 38th overall with 50 points. In 1953, he did not compete, though he tried to qualify for the Indy 500 but failed.

In 1954 he finally managed to qualify for the Indy 500 with a Kurtis Kraft. He finished19th. He became a sound engineer for cinema and television. Frank Armi died in Handford on November 28, 1992, at the age of 74.



hr

<