We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Chuck by Shane Wade's sprinter @ Tri City Speedway (IL) 2007
http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL726/.../343687300.jpg
Sad news this morning (Tue Nov 18, 2008) from Chuck's Grandson Shane Wade.
Chuck died in a car accident, presumably from suffering a stroke or heart attack
while driving.

I will post more information when I can.

Dave

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Very sad news indeed. Chuck was a friend to many of us, and a man I deeply admired for his high-spirits, enthusiasm, huge passion for racing, and his genuine kindness and good nature.

He's one of my heroes, and I'll never forget him.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Seeing Amati wheel the Darryl Tate-wrenched No. 66 in the twilight of his career during the late 80s and early 90s was a revelation for me. He could have been my grandpa, but was still tough as hell.

Sad to hear about this, the good ones never hang around long enough.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

RIP Chuck. Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Chuck was my Hero I always looked forward to seeing Chuck at the tracks. Chuck was a great race car driver but most important he was one heck of a person. You will be sadly missed Chuck.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I saw him race in California. A great driver and from everything I've seen, a better person. A real loss to the racing community.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

sad to here this new's, i alway's remember him running plant field in februrary during the florida state fair in tampa . i alway's pulled for him ,thank's for the memorie's

The kind of guy he was...
 

There are but a few trophies in the small office of his house in Freeman Spur, IL.
He kept the ones with great sentimental value to him. All the rest were autographed
and given to some youngster whose parents brought them to the pits after a race.

Dave

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Thanks for the memories Chuck, Didn't get to see his early career much but did witness him in the tate ride quite often.

Great guy, we will miss him.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Terrible news, seems like it was just yesterday when my mother and I were talking to him at the last Haubstadt event. He was an extremely nice guy, I never got to see him race but my mom and dad were huge fan of his and I hate to hear about this. RIP Chuck.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I got to watch Chuck run alot while I was growing up and he was a joy to see!!! He would always take time for the fans. He WILL be missed greatly!!!

RIP "one arm bandit"

Kyle

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

:crying: I grew up watching Chuck race and hearing stories of when he and my dad raced together. When I started running sprints several years ago he was one of the first people that came up to me and my dad to say hello. More stories told around the pits in the last few year between the two than I can remember but I listened to all of them and enjoyed most.

Will be sadly missed by all...

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

The One Armed Bandit set a track record at Godfrey in about '87 or '88, so I'd say he was still getting around pretty good at that point.

Hopefully someone can put together a big memorial race for him.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Definitely a heart breaker. RIP Chuck

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

:crying: RIP Chuck

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

WOW THIS HURTS ME! WE TAKED ABOUT GOING TO THE CHILI BOWL THIS COMING JAN! A GREAT GUY RACER AND FRIEND! RIP CHUCK.:checkered:

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

RIP Chuck. Like many have stated already so many great memories of a true sprint car hero. Chuck was a great guy and the racing world has a big hole to fill today.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I got the pleasure of meating Chuck on more than one occation. I always enjoyed listening to what he had to say. He will be missed by many of us.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I saw Chuck race many times. He was truly an unique individual and he made our sport so much fun.

R.I.P. Chuck.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Chuck was one of the earliest reasons of my interest in the sport. What a nice guy to speak to and a helluva racer.

Godspeed, Chuck.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

This is indeed a sad event.....the wife and i saw chuck drive just one time at the races in tampa.....i had heard of this racing character by reading stuff in Speedway Illustrated and he became a legend right away....i always smiled when i read his name in some racing article and was real happy to meet him a few years ago at the PRI show in indy. i just wished i had talked with him longer......dam reading these posts on IOW can ruin your day......kinda like when i clicked on here and saw that dwight had passed......RIP chuck say hi to dwight for all of us.....we miss you both.............:checkered:

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

What sad new's.. My all time hero's.. wow......

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Rip chuck, you where great to watch...damn..........

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I remember Chuck just flying at Lawrenceburg in the late 70's or very early 80's in a robin-egg blue #4. Anybody remember the details on that car? I think Butch Wilkerson may have driven it also. It was always lightning fast! Kind of had a pointed nose on it like Stapp's car (Dobbins Spl) that Pancho drove.

Also remember being up at Kokomo in the early 80's for a 50 lapper. The Eldora nationals were going on at the same time but, had rained out that day. Well, Sammy Swindell pulled in with the Nance rig, pulled the wing off, changed the gear and ran that night. Chuck was in Dick Briscoe's #5. Chuck got the jump on Sammy and led 48 of the 50 laps. I believe there was contact between the two on Sammy's pass but, they didn't crash. It was a fabulous race watching Swindell trying to get around Amati the entire feature. Sammy won it but, it wasn't easy!!

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I remember the Blue #4 car good looking and i think former driver Larry Curtis was the owner.Fast car Chuck Amati was one of a kind.Good Guy

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

As I've said many times on this board, not only was Chuck Amati a great, great sprint car driver, he was also one of the greatest showmen the sport has ever known. No driver was more fan friendly and charismatic than the One-Arm Bandit was. He was one of a kind when he came along and they broke the mold after they made him. This is a very sad day for the sprint car racing World and for me, personally.

Jerry

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Very sad, RIP Chuck. I remember his rhinestone driving suit, long hair and beard but most of all his great drives. :checkered:

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Wow, that is sad news. Saw him race countless times and he was always good to the fans and kids like me. I snapped this photo below of Chuck at the Indy mile dirt champ race in May of 1982. Note the "driving shoes". He was a charactor that made racing back then what it was. FUN! RIP to one of the good guys. :respect:
David.


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...er/Amati82.jpg

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Chuck Amati

The link above provides an article pictures about Chuck. Just click on Chuck Amati. It will take a little time to load.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

The link tells how Chuck got the "One Armed Bandit" nickname. A track announcer
hung it on him after he won twin features driving with only his left arm. A friend
custom made the leather belt to tie his arm down. It is amongst the keepsakes
in his office.

Dave

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Very sad news indeed. When I was a kid and they would announce his name it really just resonated. Kind of like a mythical figure for a little kid. RIP:checkered:

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I know somewhere tonight Chuck and Rich Vogler are on the front row of the "A".

RIP Chuck , Truly the last great showman in sprint car racing.:crying:

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I had the pleasure of meeting The Bandit a few years ago. Stayed in Freeman Spur on 2 occasions. When Chuck made his return to racing at The Master's Classic at Knoxville, I was one lucky guy to be the crew cheif of the car he drove. He will be GREATLY MISSED. Talked to him in May,,,,,,,Last time my friend. God Speed Bandit!!!!

Boo



Beauty is in the eye of the Beer Holder!!!!

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Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Hard to imagine any driver who generated more goodwill during his career than the Bandit. A special driver, a special guy and a special loss. Hall of Fame Human Being.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Chuck was one of my all time favorites. I saw him race countless times and talked to him many times back in the day when the pits were in the infield at Haubstadt. He was a genuine nice guy and a heckuva showman.

RIP, Chuck

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Thanks Chuckapoopoo! Ha Ha. Hug Outlaw and Miney....................1son?Jody

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

thoughts and prayers

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

thoughts and prayers

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

I grew up watching Chuck race in the sixties at Cape Girardeau and Charleston, MO when he was still being called Charlie Amati. He was always one of my favorite driver and this is very sad news. Here's a picture I took of the car that Chuck was driving at Charleston, MO in either 1967 or 1968.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...3867/amati.jpg

Big Mike

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Wow, to say we are shocked would be an understatement!! This just breaks my heart. We have an 8X10 pic in our collection of Chuck on the front stretch of the Action Track with the white #65 car. He has those knee high moccasin boots on in it too. He was such a character and such a great guy and race car driver. He will be very much missed. We pray for comfort for the family.

Re: We Have Lost Chuck Amati the "One Armed Bandit" an Original Outlaw
 

Yes, sad news indeed...I heard many stories about Chuck from the earlier years from my Dad and then I picked up in the late 80's

Thoughts and prayer with Shane and family...

So what about a big Chuck Amati Memorial race....?

I would like to help