Cliff Bergere (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 position in 1946. At age 49, he became, and to date remains, the oldest pole winner. He finished third in 1932 and 1939 and completed the 1941 race without making a pit stop, finishing fifth.
At the conclusion of his career in 1947, Bergere held the distinction of the most starts in Indianapolis 500 history (16), a record he held for twenty-seven years until surpassed by A.J. Foyt, the current record-holder, in 1974.
Motorsports career results
Indianapolis 500 results
YearCarStartQualRankFinishLapsLedRetired19272514108.8201992000Running1928213119.95632870Supercharger19292532103.6873292000Running19312814106.7812392000Running19322210111.5031632000Running193369115.64311112000Running19342218115.243872000Running19351516114.16223131960Out of gas1936427113.37722221160Engine support19374516117.5462452000Running1938932114.46432201110Piston19395410123.8351532000Running194056123.6731027510Oil line1941347123.89013520010Running194631126.471316822Out of oil1947182124.9574216223PistonTotals242535
Starts16Poles1Front Row3Wins0Top 54Top 108Retired7
References
External links
Cliff Bergere and Americas Safest Tire The Greatest 33: Cliff Bergere
Indy 500 history: Cliff Bergere Racing-Reference page