Over thousands of agonizing miles on rough off roads, champion driver Ivan (“Ironman”) Stewart often bounced around the elements on two wheels with a Toyota truck. Now, the 64-year-old San Diegan is settling down to a slower, more comfortable two-wheel-style of business by opening a electric cycle shop in Little Italy with son Gary. The Ivan Stewart Electric Bike Center is at 2021 India St., a modest location measuring about 700 square feet. “We hope to open other branches in La Jolla and Del Mar,” said Stewart said. It’s close to his high-rise condo overlooking the cruise ship terminal. Stewart said he’s liquidating his off-road business but will still be a representative for Toyota (27 years) and could show up again in November’s Baja 1000. On Aug. 29, much of his memorabilia, Stewart & Stewart pro truck company, cars and parts will be auctioned at his shop at 14402 Bond Court in El Cajon. Included from his collection will be a 1955 Chevy Bel-Air, a 1972 Plymouth Roadrunner and the race pickup that Stewart successfully campaigned in the Mickey Thompson series of stadium off-road races. The legendary driver’s 84 victories and 10 driver’s championships were credentials enough for him to be inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions’ Hall of Fame. He has also been nominated for the national Motorsports Hall of Fame in Michigan. 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. “I’m simplifying my life and changing to something more suited to what I want,” he said. “I’m just downsizing. Time to turn it over to someone else to run with the ball … maybe one of the 53 owners who purchased pro trucks from us.” Stewart said he and his wife, Linda, want to travel. “And what better place to live?” Steward asked. “The train depot is a stone’s throw away. There’s the cruise ships down there and the airport is about a mile away.” “Most of the bikes are from China with names like Ezee, Hebb, Pebigo.” Price tags range from $2,000 to $2,700 for six different models. Stewart said he’ll show them at car and boat shows and let people ride them. So, there won’t be anything unusual about this big bicyclist riding around San Diego’s busy streets. It’s just off-road’s Ironman promoting his new business.
