Sad News From Michigan

[Steve Johnson]

So Sorry

Peace to you all from the Johnson family, I'm glad you got that title for him last summer.
The Johnsons

[PURPLE HAZE]

I Got My First Pickle Fork Hydro From Don And He Also Let Me Use His Chrome D Engine And I Was Hooked On The D From That Point Have Not Been Around For Some Time But Would Go To Trenton And He Was Someone That I Allways Wanted To See We Went To St Louis To The National Meeting One Year And Me And Jr And Sr Had A Great Time I Will Miss Him God Bless "jake" Larry Gottschalk Jr

[Blackhawkguy]

A class Act

Man, it's hard to believe it has been over 28 years since first meeting Don, watching him run D hydro, I guess I just always figured I would see him on the judges stand. The hardest part of getting old is loosing the people you just always figured would be there.

My absolute condolences to Lori, Wendy, Jr. and the rest of the gang. There will be a day I will look up and he will be there again on the judges stand, what a good day that will be.

Kerry

[Gootz 142M]

Re: Don Sr.

This is a shock. I recall the time he gave me one of his marathon tanks when I was searching for one for my ASR. I asked him how much he wanted for it and he said "just keep, if I get stupid enough to race another marathon I'll ask for it". I still have that tank and will never forget what Don has meant to our sport.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Allen family.

The Gutierrez family.

[Jeff Brewster 59s]

What a huge loss it is for us to lose Don.
He has always been there my entire life. I will never forget his unmistakeable voice and big booming hearty laugh. Jeez, I enjoyed that about him.
I will also never forget his passion for our sport, second to no one.
Our region 6 meeting will not be the same later this month with out him there, heck I was never at one that he wasnt there.
You will be missed Don, if I ever get to heaven I want to hear some more of your great stories of racing that I have enjoyed so much.
What a great family and legacy you have left. You my friend, will never be forgotten.
Jeff

[17W]

I have spent the last 24hrs just taking in that Don passed.....Over the last 5yrs I have developed a strong friendship with Jr. & can only imagine the heartfelt pain the entire family is going thru.

Sr. you will be missed by all & thank you for everything! We are praying for you!

Brent, Sue, Sara & Bryce Backus

[csh12M]

Legends live forever

I am still in such shock that it is hard to find any words to express what I am feeling. As someone mentioned, I thought Don was timeless and would be at races forever. I was aware that he was not feeling well however, I never considered this a possibility. I know this sounds selfish, but I just can’t imagine racing without Don being there. Whether he was working the judge’s stand or with one of the kids in the water waiting for the green flag to drop or just holding court at dinner in the pits, he was always there. Don was boat racing. His love and passion for the sport exceed any person I know. I can not think of anyone else who has contributed so much.

I watched as Don taught his kids and his grandkids to race and I think no one did it better. Don not only taught kids to race but used racing to teach life to kids. My son will be ready to race in four years and when the time comes for his first race I will deliver the same instructions and follow the format that Don did. Afterwards I will make sure that Ryan knows that I learned these lessons from Don Allen. I will then take him down to talk with Donny Jr or Chris or Jr Jr or any of the other dozen people that Don got started. We will swap stories about Don and his J program and the advice he gave or the lessons he taught. Legends live forever… in our hearts our memories and our stories. Don Allen was a legend to outboard racing and his legacy and memory will last forever in all racers.

Don was my friend and I will remember and miss him forever.

Laurie, Donny Jr., Wendy and all the kids, you are in Lesli’s and my prayers. May God grant you strength and peace during this trying time.

[Don11m]

Racing Family,

Thank you all for the kind words. This site is helping the entire family through this difficult time. Our siblings that are not boat racers are amazed at the support and kind words that you all have for Don.

The visitation will be held on Tuesday from 3:00 - 5:00 with a short service at 5:00. Our racing friend Wes Raynal will give an appropriate eulogy fitting for Don. We will also invite you all to come up and share your stories and memories of Don during the service.

Following the service we invite everyone to a social gathering a few miles away to enjoy some of Don's favorite cuisine from Outback.

Don always believed our boat racing superstars originated from the J Classes. So in lieu of flowers, Don requested contributions to be made to APBA 'J Class' category to help support the future of our sport.

Attached is a link for the funeral home.

Martenson Funeral Home
3200 West Rd.
Trenton MI 48183
(734) 671-5400

http://www.martenson.com/html/home.html

Allen Family

[L. Allen]

What an enormous loss for all of us in boatracing but especially of course for the Allen family.


Please accept our deepest sympathy. Laurie, Donnie and all the Allens, you are in our thoughts at this difficult time.


Billy, Racer, Laurie, Jake and David Allen

[Tim Sidor]

The Loss of a True Friend

Don was a true friend and like a second father to me as well as many others who knew him ,he was always there to teach what APBA was about to new drivers as well as lending out equipment to people to make sure they were a part of our racing family.
I can not Thank him enough for teaching me the aspects of what this sport is about and the friendships that come along with enjoyment of APBA racing.

Don was a mentor to me as well as a growing part of my life in learning how to race by the rules and how to be involved in the working side of putting on races as well as getting into the political side of APBA, Don was a teacher and a leader in what he believed all young drivers should race to have fun and learn along the way of what it takes to become a champion.

I myself can say that I learned along the way from one of the best and that will always be within my heart as I remember when my first National Championship at Wakefield Mi. 1994 in ASR, the first person to Congratulate me standing there to give me that hug was my mentor Don Allen and my father Dick Sidor. Having two fathers share with my success was a bonus as I had learned that it is not only hard work and a lot of time and effort to win a championship , but to learn what has been taught to you from the ones who you look up to.
We will always remember the great times our families have shared together and keep that friendship as we all share in the loss of a TRUE FATHER, FRIEND, MENTOR and LEADER.
Don loved his family and shared the joys in teaching his children and especially his grandchildren that friendships within our APBA FAMILY are in helping one another on and off the race course.

May you rest in peace my friend as i know you have found that championship in the kingdom of a true leader.

To Laurie ,Don Jr., Krysti, John, Lori, Wendy,Kenny, Adam,Chris and all of the grandchildren our thoughts and prayers will always be with you.



Tim ,Vicki , Dick, Nichole, and Danielle Sidor

Jamie, Mellisa, Jason and Jared Rykse

[KG4]

I remeber my first race i ever raced in and i knew nobody and i was pretty nervous and i look and here comes this big guy and he says my name is Don and welcome to stock outboard racing.He made me feel very welcome and i felt good.He took me off to the side and expained the process of the start,Milling and the clock start.My condolences go out to the entire Allen family.God bless you from the Van Dusen family.

[hydroracer25]

Don was....

Don was many things to many different people and touched many lives in the APBA Stock Outboard family.

Don was the one constant at the SO Nationals as far back as I can remember. We were lucky enough to have him as a constant in Region 6 and 7 as well as with TORC and MHRA.

Don was that "calming" affect that you needed before the your speech at the HOC ceremonies. That calming affect carried over to the judges stand whenever he was present you just somehow believed everything would be OK. It carried over to the way he carried himself in all facets of racing and leadership.

Don was a great speaker and when he spoke more people took notice to what he was saying than anybody else I know. He was also a great emcee and the times that he was "running the show" were of the best I can remember.

Don was the mentor for all who took that step up the judges stand to officiate the races so the majority can just go out and race. He was a leader, teacher and friend.

Don was family to all of us who knew him in the racing community, but more so was about the family he had in the great children and grandchildren involved with racing.

Don was APBA in so many ways, but he was not just APBA, he was about BOAT RACING and all the positive things with it!

He will be missed.

Our condolences to Laurie and all the Allen family.

Sincerely,
Mark and Heather
Gary and Carol

[Eric Engler]

Wow, is all I can really say, there will be a big hole to fill in the sport with him not at the races.

I can not remember ever going to a major race with out him there or without him and may father talking and joking and even having a few words over issues of the time.

Don you will be missed, but you are amongst many friends now as well.

GODSPEED my friend.

[14-H]

Don, Laurie & Victoria

This photo was taken at Anna's and my wedding:

[14-H]

Don Allen was APBA

As many of you may know, Don and Laurie had driven to LA in order to attend the APBA annual meeting. However, Don began having problems while there and he and Laurie left to drive home very early on Thursday. Don was awarded the Kay Hallett Memorial Service Award which is an annual award given by the APBA for significant and outstanding contributions to the sport of boat racing and to the APBA. This was awarded at the annual meeting of members on Saturday in his absence. In announcing that Don had been the recipient of this award this year, the APBA President announced that Don and Laurie had left and were in the process of driving back to Michigan, of course. But he added that "Don called me yesterday afternoon." When asked the purpose of the call, Don responded that he "just wanted to see what was going on."

Don Allen loved the APBA and all of its members. He was concerned about them even in his failing health.