Henry Banks

Henry Banks (14 June 1913 - 18 December 1994): Henry Edwin Banks was an American racing driver born in Croydon, Surrey, England, who emigrated to the United States and was raised in Royal Oak, Michigan. The son of an early European racing driver, Banks inherited his father's passion for motorsport and began competing in 1932 at age 19, quickly establishing himself in midget car racing. Banks achieved the historic distinction of being the first driver to pass the qualifying rookie test instituted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway beginning in 1936, a pioneering moment in Indianapolis 500 history. Throughout the 1940s, Banks demonstrated exceptional versatility and consistency.

In 1941, he won the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) championship in New England, and in 1947, he won an astounding 30 events, showcasing his dominance in midget car racing. The 1950 season marked the pinnacle of Banks' racing career. He won the AAA National Championship, prevailing in a three-way battle decided during the final race of the season. Through consistent finishes and a victory in the 100-mile race at Detroit, Michigan, Banks edged out Walt Faulkner and Johnnie Parsons for the title.

That same year, he also finished second in AAA National Midget points, demonstrating his excellence across multiple racing disciplines. Banks participated in three World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis, with his best finish being sixth place in 1951, driving the Lindsey Hopkins car that he had used to win the National Championship. Following his retirement from driving, Banks transitioned into motorsport administration with profound impact. In January 1959, he relocated from Compton, California to Indianapolis to become USAC's Director of Competition, a position he held until 1970 when he was appointed Director of Industrial Relations and Safety Certification.

In 1973, he advanced to Vice President of USAC Properties. As a USAC executive, Banks became a passionate advocate for safety improvements, promoting advances including roll-over bars, fuel cells (rubber bladders within fuel tanks to drastically reduce fire risk), fire-resistant driver uniforms, and mandatory seat belts and shoulder harnesses. These safety initiatives saved countless lives and transformed American motorsport. Henry Banks passed away on 18 December 1994 at age 81, leaving behind a remarkable legacy not only as the 1950 AAA National Champion but as a safety pioneer whose administrative work may have contributed more to motorsport than even his considerable achievements as a driver.