Sonny ates

jimg12 · 10/26/10, 11:49 PM

Sonny was a friend and mintor to me. He help get me my first USAC midget ride in 65. In 65, 66 I rode to many races with him in his VW, slept in the back seat many times. I never heard anyone say anything bad about him, on or off the race track. So besides being a great racer he was a great person. I will miss him greatly.
Jim Graybeal

Tom Brewer · 10/27/10, 10:56 AM

In the mid 60's both Sonny Ates and Jimmy Graybeal drove my uncle's midget (Ted Hartley). Both were really good drivers and nice guys. I was just a teenage helper and they treated me like I was Clint Brawner. Sad to hear of Sonny's passing but great to hear that Jimmy is still around. I wonder if Jimmy remembers an indoor race at Fort Wayne in 1967 when he had to go to the hospital while we celebrated Ted's 65th birthday after the race!

cowboyhar69 · 10/27/10, 11:23 AM

That link to the Dayton Speedway website that Vukie posted is great. You can spend a lot of time on there. I would highly recommend it to anyone...tons of pics and tons of stories. The Dayton Speedway kept you on the edge of your seat whenever you were there. Seemed to be just as scary and exciting as Winchester...if not more. First place I ever attended a race at...I was 2 weeks old...in June of 1951!!

Tim Wolffrum aka Cowboy

jimg12 · 10/27/10, 11:34 AM

Yes, I remember. Got put upsidedown in the heat race. No cage, open face helment, concrete floor, lots of stitches. Would have had more fun at the party.

Xflagman · 10/27/10, 12:24 PM

Hello to all. My name is Adam, and I am Sonny Ates grandson. I just wanted to say thank you from our whole family for all the kind words and condolences. He was a great man, and will be greatly missed. He had a good life, many great friends/fans, and finally crossed the final finish line. Thank you all again so much.

SprintManDave · 10/27/10, 1:43 PM

Rest in peace Sonny. You will be missed. One of the truly nice gentlemen,and great Midget and Sprint driver.

Danny Burton · 10/30/10, 10:03 PM

http://www.frontstretch.com/jpotts/3...nted=1#c033077

10/27/10, 10:56 AM	#22 Re: Sonny ates
Tom Brewer Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 20	In the mid 60's both Sonny Ates and Jimmy Graybeal drove my uncle's midget (Ted Hartley). Both were really good drivers and nice guys. I was just a teenage helper and they treated me like I was Clint Brawner. Sad to hear of Sonny's passing but great to hear that Jimmy is still around. I wonder if Jimmy remembers an indoor race at Fort Wayne in 1967 when he had to go to the hospital while we celebrated Ted's 65th birthday after the race!

10/27/10, 11:23 AM	#23 Re: Sonny ates
cowboyhar69 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,332	That link to the Dayton Speedway website that Vukie posted is great. You can spend a lot of time on there. I would highly recommend it to anyone...tons of pics and tons of stories. The Dayton Speedway kept you on the edge of your seat whenever you were there. Seemed to be just as scary and exciting as Winchester...if not more. First place I ever attended a race at...I was 2 weeks old...in June of 1951!! Tim Wolffrum aka Cowboy

10/27/10, 11:34 AM	#24 Re: Sonny ates
jimg12 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2	Yes, I remember. Got put upsidedown in the heat race. No cage, open face helment, concrete floor, lots of stitches. Would have had more fun at the party.

10/27/10, 1:43 PM	#26 Re: Sonny ates
SprintManDave Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,495	Rest in peace Sonny. You will be missed. One of the truly nice gentlemen,and great Midget and Sprint driver.