According to a recent story in San Diego newspaper the Union-Tribune, Ivan “Ironman” Stewart is moving away from his off-road business, selling many of his belongings from his career, and moving into … electric bicycles?
“I’ve never been afraid of change,” Steward said in the story. “And I want to change directions now. Ninety-nine percent of what we own that is off-road related is for sale.”
His plans are to sell off the Stewart & Stewart Racing and ProTruck business. He will no longer build and sell ProTruck vehicles, the off-road spec truck that has classes running in the SCORE, BITD and SNORE series.
He also plans to auction off most of his racing memorabilia from his three-decade career at an auction on August 28, 2010 (see below link for more information).
“I’m liquidating my off-road business,” Stewart said.
McCormack Auction Co. of El Cajon is handling the sale of ProTruck and Stewart & Stewart Racing as well as the auction of “150 top items” at Stewart’s facility. There will also be an online sale of an additional 500 items.
Among the items to be auctioned are a 1967 Mercury truck that Stewart himself restored, a 1955 Chevy Bel-Air, a 1973 Plymouth Roadrunner and the race pickup that Stewart so successfully campaigned in the Mickey Thompson series of stadium off-road races.
Stewart says it’s simply time for him to take another path.
“I’m simplifying my life,” he said. “I’m changing to something more suited to what I want to be. I still want to be connected to off-road racing. I’ll still be at some of my favorite races.
“I’ll be 65 next June. I’ve got a lot of stuff. I want to change directions.”
Stewart and son Gary have opened an electric bicycle business in San Diego and have plans to open two more locations in the area soon. The Ivan Stewart Electric Bike Center at 2021 India Street in Little Italy in San Diego.
“We sell, rent and service electric bikes,” Stewart said. “They are a kick, the perfect way to move around downtown San Diego and see the sights. We’re planning to open other branches in La Jolla and Del Mar.
“I have worked my entire life,” Stewart said. “For a long time, I installed fencing. I was great at fencing. I was good at driving and representing Toyota. We built 53 ProTrucks and turned that into a success. I’m just headed in a new direction again.
Although Stewart will sell of some of material possessions from his storied career, he won’t be completely moving away from the racing world, nor will he forget it.
“I won’t have the stuff anymore that came with off-road racing. But I’ll always have the people as my close friends and the memories.”
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune
Auction Information: www.mccormackauction.com