Allen Heath

18/1/1918 - 6/3/1981

Record updated 06-Mar-23

Lost a hand in an accident in 1953 and continued to race with a prosthesis. Heath won the Pacific Coast Championship in 1961, he was the URA Champion in 1950 and 1958 and won the Washington State Title in 1946 and 1947.

Allen Heath
Allen Heath's career spanned both the AAA and USAC eras. The veteran from Northridge, California was a AAA standout until an accident at Schererville, Indiana in 1953 resulted in the loss of a hand.

Continuing his career with the aid of a hook, he became one of the most flamboyant drivers of the time and was a regular in west coast USAC events in the mid-1960s, finishing in the top 20 in the National standings in 1963, 1964 and 1965 without leaving the coast.

After losing his hand, he was fitted with a first of its kind prosthesis and spent many hours working with the doctors in testing it. He also worked with veterans and other amputees and was a fine example to them.

Heath won the Pacific Coast Championship in 1961. He was the URA Champion in 1950 and 1958 and won the Washington State Title in 1946 and 1947. In 1958 he won a 500-mile midget race held on the road course at Riverside, California.

He suffered a fatal heart attack.



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