Alan Stacey

Alan Stacey (August 29, 1933 - June 19, 1960) was a British racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1958 to 1960 for Lotus. Despite having an artificial leg following a motorcycle accident in his youth, Stacey proved he could compete at motorsport's highest level. His promising career was tragically cut short when he was killed during the 1960 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, becoming one of two drivers who died during that tragic race weekend.

Born in Brockley, Kent, Stacey's path to motorsport seemed permanently blocked when a motorcycle accident resulted in his left leg's amputation below the knee. However, his determination proved stronger than this seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Fitted with an artificial limb, Stacey learned to drive racing cars and began competing in British club racing during the mid-1950s.

His talent quickly became apparent despite his physical challenges. The specialized controls and adaptations required for him to drive competitively demonstrated both his technical ingenuity and refusal to accept limitations. His success attracted Colin Chapman's Lotus team's attention, leading to Formula Two and eventually Formula One opportunities.

Stacey made his Formula One debut at the 1958 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps driving a Lotus 12-Climax. Over the next two years, he participated in seven World Championship races, all for Lotus. His best finish came at the 1959 Portuguese Grand Prix at Monsanto, where he placed sixth, scoring his only World Championship point.

The 1959 result demonstrated Stacey could be competitive when the car was reliable. However, like many Lotus drivers of the era, he frequently suffered mechanical retirements. Chapman's early Lotus Formula One cars were innovative but often fragile, sacrificing reliability for light weight and performance.

Despite retirements, Stacey's performances impressed observers who recognized his additional challenges. Modern hand controls for disabled drivers were unavailable; Stacey and his mechanics developed custom solutions allowing him to operate the clutch and brake with his artificial leg. The physical demands of driving a 1950s Formula One car made his achievements even more remarkable.

The 1960 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa on June 19 proved one of Formula One's darkest days. The weekend had already been marked by Stirling Moss's severe practice crash. Then during the race itself, disaster struck multiple times.

On lap 19, Stacey's Lotus was traveling at high speed along the Burnenville straight when he was apparently struck in the face by a bird. The impact caused him to lose control, and his car left the track at approximately 120 mph, crashing into an embankment. Stacey was killed instantly. He was 26 years old.

Even more tragically, later in the same race, British driver Chris Bristow was also killed when his Cooper left the track. Two young drivers dead in a single race shocked even a motorsport community accustomed to tragedy. The 1960 Belgian Grand Prix remains one of Formula One's darkest days.

Stacey's death highlighted 1960s motorsport's extreme dangers, particularly at circuits like Spa-Francorchamps with virtually no safety barriers, run-off areas, or medical facilities. The unusual circumstance of a bird strike causing a fatal accident illustrated the myriad dangers drivers faced.

Alan Stacey's Formula One career consisted of seven race starts, one point scored, and sixth place as his best result. These modest statistics fail to capture what made his story remarkable - that he reached Formula One despite his amputation, competed on equal terms with able-bodied drivers, and earned respect for his skill and determination. His death at 26 robbed motorsport of a driver who had overcome extraordinary obstacles, and his legacy inspired future generations of disabled drivers, proving that determination and skill could overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.