Manuel was a bold and inventive American racecar driver whose fearless style and mechanical know-how left a lasting mark on motorsport. Alongside his close friend and teammate Jack McGrath, Ayulo helped prove that track roadsters could go toe-to-toe with the best in professional racing, turning what were once hot-rod hobby machines into serious contenders on the speedway.
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Born | Manuel Leaonedas Ayulo 20 October 1921 Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Died | 17 May 1955 (aged 33) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
Tragically, Ayulo’s career and life came to an abrupt end during practice for the 1955 Indianapolis 500, when his car veered head-on into a concrete wall. Investigators discovered that he hadn’t been wearing a seatbelt, and in a testament to his hands-on approach to racing, his pockets were reportedly stuffed with wrenches.
Daring, determined, and utterly devoted to his passion, Manny Ayulo remains one of the sport’s unforgettable firsts.
Manny Ayulo’s Formula One World Championship Career
| Active years | 1950–1955 |
|---|---|
| Teams | Kuzma, Kurtis Kraft, Maserati, Lesovsky |
| Entries | 6 (4 Starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Career points | 2 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last entry | 1955 Indianapolis 500 |
Manny Ayulo Teammates
| 5 drivers | Involvement | First Year | Last Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Rigsby | 1 | 1950 | |
| Jack McGrath | 1 | 1951 | |
| Pat Flaherty | 1 | 1953 | |
| Walt Faulkner | 1 | 1954 | |
| Johnny Thomson | 1 | 1955 |
Manny Ayulo Complete Formula One Results
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Coast Grain | Maserati V8RI | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | GBR | MON | 500 DNQ | SUI | BEL | FRA | ITA | NC | 0 | ||
| 1951 | Jack Hinkle | Kurtis Kraft 3000 | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | SUI | 500 3* | BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | ITA | ESP | 15th | 2 | |
| 1952 | Coast Grain | Lesovsky | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | SUI | 500 20 | BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | NED | ITA | NC | 0 | |
| 1953 | Peter Schmidt | Kuzma Indy Roadster | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | ARG | 500 13 | NED | BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | SUI | ITA | NC | 0 |
| 1954 | Peter Schmidt | Kuzma Indy Roadster | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | ARG | 500 13 | BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | SUI | ITA | ESP | NC | 0 |
| 1955 | Peter Schmidt | Kurtis Kraft 500C | Offenhauser 4.5 L4 | ARG | MON | 500 DNQ | BEL | NED | GBR | ITA | NC | 0 |
