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

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

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!!

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

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

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

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.

Chuck Amati

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

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

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: