USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1967
 

USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise #3 and Sonny Ates #93 come "nose to nose" at Oswego Speedway - 16 July 1967. :31: :18:

Photo by Doug Kranz
Photo source: 1967 Oswego Speedway International Classic Yearbook

Have a good day...see you at the races

Rich - Arnold, Missouri

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/scan0037.jpg

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I didn't remember Hurtubise was still driving sprinters at that time but, he was! That was a twin 50 lap feature event.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I guess I'll have to blame it on age, too young then, a lot in between, but Sonny and I "almost" worked together, in our younger years, when we were growing up, there were 2 Ford stores in Columbus, In, Sonny worked at one, I worked at the other, and our paths did cross, but I don't remember him ever saying anything about driving race cars, he was like me, a mechanic, and parts chaser. This was in the early to mid 50's, sure wish I had known it then. I've heard he is living in Florida, now, but he has had quite a career, as I remember, he was a very soft spoken guy, someone you could enjoy knowing, at least I did, many years ago. Maybe SprintmanDave can fill in the gaps, I'm sure Dave Norris could, but I don't believe he's on this website. Just a bit of history, on Sonny Ates. Bob

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Didn't someone mention that Sonny was having medical issues recently?

Bob, I recall Mahan's but what was the other Ford place?

I'll e-mail this link to Mr. Norris, who is residing in Florida full time now. Kerry and his son have taken over the family business.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Jim Hurtubise's last sprint car race was at the Terre Haute Action Track on Halloween Day/Night, 1976 driving the Jones #33. He finished ninth.
The race was won by Chuck Gurney in the Siebert Olds car. The feature was flagged early because of darkness. The Action Track had no lights at the time. It was a bitter cold day that was a makeup date for an earlier race.

The Victory Lane ceremonly could barely be seen because it was so dark.

The thing I most remember, other than Hurtubise, was a large beautiful full moon rising in the sky as I was walking across the fourth turn to go home. In a strange way, it seems a fitting end to Jim's sprint career.

Jim Morrison
Long-time Jim Hurtubise fan

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Danny, I too, have heard that Sonny has had medical issues, maybe from Sandy Lowe, but don't quote me on that. The other Ford dealer, was Harrison Motors, across the street from Justin King's Taxi co, and his beautiful Midgets. Do you remember Leppert Auto Parts, and the Bus co, also located in that area. Harrison Motors, was "dozed". to build Irwin Union Bank. Those "old" days, were full of race cars, and drivers from the Columbus area, not full of loud stereos and "baggie" pants, as it is today. Bob

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Jim Hurtubise's last sprint car race was at the Terre Haute Action Track on Halloween Day/Night, 1976 driving the Jones #33. He finished ninth.
The race was won by Chuck Gurney in the Siebert Olds car. The feature was flagged early because of darkness. The Action Track had no lights at the time. It was a bitter cold day that was a makeup date for an earlier race.

The Victory Lane ceremonly could barely be seen because it was so dark.

The thing I most remember, other than Hurtubise, was a large beautiful full moon rising in the sky as I was walking across the fourth turn to go home. In a strange way, it seems a fitting end to Jim's sprint career.

Jim Morrison
Long-time Jim Hurtubise fan

---------- Post added at 02:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 PM ----------

Well, I see I posted that already

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I remember Sonny Ates driving the Iddings 93 on the pavement.Ran midgets also and was one of the better pavement drivers around.Super nice guy and always had time to speak to you.I believe he ran Indy a couple times.

Chuck

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

From Wikipedia:
Charles "Sonny" Ates (born March 28, 1935, Sellersburg, Indiana) is a retired American race car driver.

Ates raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1968-1970 seasons, with 15 career starts, including the 1969 Indianapolis 500 (finished 17th). He finished in the top ten 5 times, with his best finish in 5th position in 1968 at Brooklyn.


I believe he held the 1-lap track records at Winchester, Salem, & Dayton at 1 time while driving the #93.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I remember Sonny always being a force at Salem and Winchester in the #93. That car is in the museum at Greenville, Ohio. I believe Sonny drove a Krohne (sp)? Grain Transport sponsored car at Indy. I believe he was a teammate to Mel Kenyon.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Hey, Marv, I found a guy a bit older than me. :2: I barely recall the Leppert Bus Line, I think it was. I recall when the former Irwin Union Bank was built, but don't recall Harrison Motors. I'm "only" 58, despite what Marv will tell you.:) My local memories only go back to the mid 50s here.

My dad worked with Jimmy Hemmings' mom at Cosco. I recall Dad talking with Jimmy at a county fair (Jennings?) many moons ago. I barely recall Jimmy also driving the white 93 car.

It was either Sandy or Superduke who posted about Sonny's medical issues, as I recall.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I remember those good old days in the fifties.My high School yearbook is full of those downtown Columbus businesses because that was where they all were.I grew up riding the Leppert buses around town.Also on Sonny Ates, I first met him when he was driving Bill Arnolds Midget.Bill was Steve,Kevin,and Sharon Arnold Blair's father and I remember when they lived on Central Avenue north of highway 31.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

If it is the same Steve Arnold, I've seen some of his 8mm movies of the "good old Days", of his dad's midget, I believe he told me it was last powered by an aluminum 215 Buick/Olds V8. Musta been about 82/83, I was heading South on 65, and as I topped the hill, at the 58 mile marker, I took trip back in time. Sitting on the North bound emergency lane, was one of those god awful color, Leppert Busses, still had the name on the side, talk about a wake up call, someone must have located it somewhere, and maybe headed home to restore it. Danny, if you're talking about my age, I'm 72. Any of you guys remember when Dick Snider came to town? He bought out Leppert Auto Parts, then had the parts store at 31, and Central. Dick was to Columbus, like Gurney was to Ca. Like you say, Dave, lots of good memories in and around Columbus, lots of one off race cars built, all over town, it's still good to hear the very rare rump-rump of a street rod, unfinished of course, I guess I was building "Rat-Rods", before they were the thing, mine were always in primer, then I'd move on to something else that caught my eye. Bob

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I saw Don Branson win a feature at New Bremen in the Iddings car. I'm also, pretty sure Allen Crowe died in that car at New Bremen in 1963.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

About four or five years ago I received a call at Salem Speedway from Sonny. He had just moved back to Indiana from Louisiana and was living in nearby Henryville. He and his wife came to the Joe James/Pat O’Connor race that summer as our guests. He was very appreciative and said they would definitely return in the future for more races. I haven’t seen or talked to him since that day. I have also heard that he was battling some health issues.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Just got an update on Sonny, seems he and his wife, moved back here, from AZ, about 4-5 years ago, then moved back about 2 years ago. Seems his medical issue is memory related. Too bad, such a nice guy, wish I had been able to keep better track of him over the years. Bob

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Sonny was at last springs Columbus Oldtimers meeting at the fairgrounds,but I didn't get to talk to him because everybody else was keeping him occupied and I didn't want to interupt. The next thing I knew he was gone.Dick Snider used to race speedboats. I saw him race at Madison more than once when I was a rescue boat driver for the regatta. If memory serves me correctly, he raced in the 7 litre class.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I remember Sonny driving the blue No. 25 in 1975. I believe it was the Easton sprinter.

Bruce, you are right that Sonny held the track record at all three tracks at the same time. He told several of us one day that the trick to a fast lap at Salem was hitting the dip in the third turn straight and then turning the car before it hit the guard rail.

He also ran with the UMRA TQs and won features with them, as did Butch Wilkerson and Pancho and Dana Carter.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I remember that car and Sonny well. My brother passed out, on a seriously hot muggy day at Winchester, and Sonny's wife happened to be right there. She sprung into action with towels soaked with cold cooler water and was very nice and helpful. My brother was a big fan of Sonny (and his wife) after that.
David.


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...Winchester.jpg

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

My dad bought that car from Jim Hurtibise when he started racing

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Sonny Ates lives Phoenix now, he is still very nice as always he most likely never see Indiana again. Butch Wilkerson #1:22::22::32:

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

wrong sonny was born in west monroe la. Now living in scottsville az. Not in good health!:22:

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Duke,

I had heard or read that Sonny was born in Louisiana. He lived in Sellersburg, IN during his racing days, but that was not his birthplace.
I visited the Gharst Museum in Greenville, OH a few years ago where the #93 Iddings car is on display. I mentioned to the docent that I had seen the car race many times and the driver was Charles "Sonny" Ates. She told me that he had recently visited the museum and was living in Alabama at that time.
I mentioned that the car was based on a stretched midget. She said that I was the second person to say that, and asked what that meant. I was quite impressed that the somewhat elderly lady docent was so interested in the sprint car and its history.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

:22:henry meyer built the car very light wieght coil over car that ran as a champ car with a 255 offy and then he would shorten the wheel base and put in a 220 offy and run it as a sprint car! It raced many times in both divisions very smart and nice man!:6:

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

DUKE, my father told me that same story about that car back in the 60's

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Cecil I found this;

Allen Crowe

In Memory of Allen Crowe

November 12, 1928 - June 2, 1963

Born in York, Illinois, Crowe died in New Bremen, Ohio

from injuries sustained in a Sprint Car Race at New Bremen Speedway.

He drove in the USAC Championship Car Series,

racing in the 1961 - 1963 seasons with 15 starts,

including the 1962 and 1963 Indianapolis 500 Races. He finished in the top ten 6 times,

with his best finish in 5th position in 1962 at Syracuse.

Allen cut his eye teeth at Springfield's Speedway. Starting in the Stock Cars and moving

and moving up fast, he soon became a first class chauffer. It was a real honor to see Allen

driving with the Best of U.S.A.C. and be able to herald him as a local driver.
From this website http://springfieldsspeedway.webs.com

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Thank you for the info, Indy1808!! I was 9 years old and in the infield on the back straight when he died. I'm almost positive it was the Iddings car.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

WOW....Boy oh boy a walk down the Ole Memorie lane....At least for my Dad "SONNY ATES" We enjoyed reading all this stuff. While reading it to dad he enjoyed that he had so many wonderful "Fan & Followers.
Thank You all....even SuperDuke who had Dads info right.
The Ates Family Reside in Scottsdale Arizona. Wife Judy, Son Danna and daughter Dee in Tucson. Sonny & Judy enjoying living in the warm "Sunny State" with their Three Grandkids, and five Greatgrandkids.
Sonny "Dads" health isn't the best but he always enjoys communication form all of you. We had a little Chuckle over my mother rescuing a fans brother for heat Stroke...LOL Anyone wishing to stop by and say hello at judy_ates@hotmail.com
Dad is turning 75 March 28 this year...(2010)

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Good to hear from you, about your Dad. I lost track of him, probably in the mid 50's, after I left my job, at the "other" Ford garage in Columbus, and went to work where everyone else did, at Cummin's Engine Co. I knew he had ran TQ's, but never knew of his other accomplishments, which are quite extrordinary, to say the least, who would have ever thought a guy doing tuneups, on the "worlds" first, in ground auto dyno, would become! Yep, Mahan's had a drive on auto dyno, where the mechanic could impress the car owner with what the car needed. A BIG deal in those days. I doubt Sonny would remember me, but there is a chance, tell him hello for me, and good luck, nice to hear of his achievements, that was a long time ago, he's got 3 years on me, and back then, that was a lot. Again, thanks for bringing us up to date, and keep us posted. Bob McClure

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

[QUOTE=Ovalmeister;152191]I remember that car and Sonny well. My brother passed out, on a seriously hot muggy day at Winchester, and Sonny's wife happened to be right there. She sprung into action with towels soaked with cold cooler water and was very nice and helpful. My brother was a big fan of Sonny (and his wife) after that.
David.


My father, Dick Dwenger, crashed hard at Martinsville back in 1968. Sonny and his wife took me and my little brother Larry into there home for about a week untill mom could come home from the hospital. I will always remember his calming voice and mannerism. He is a true friend to many. :32: :9:

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

it was the 93 car!:7:

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

Jim, the very first sprint car I ever drove was the Bob Jones Radiator Spl #34 in June 1980 at Lawrencesburg Speedway. It was a 50 lapper. Would this be the same "Jones" you mentioned above? There is a picture of this car at http://www.moletrapper.com/clinic.html scroll down to the orange #34. Jeff Bloom was the last guy to drive the car (Indiana State Fairgrounds) before I drove it.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

I happened to sit behind Sonny at the Night Before The 500 midget show at IRP 4-5 years ago.By keen observation, I notice "Sonny Ates" stitched on his hat.
Anyhow, he was quite pleased that another oldtimer [although not as old as Fish] remembered his racing days in the Iddings 93, especially on the high banks.
When I mentioned his smooth prowess on the high banks, he made an interesting observation, paraphrased...."everybody thought I loved the high banks and I guess in a way I did but they also scared me. I would start to break out with sores the Wednesday before.."
Brave man.

Re: USAC sprint car drivers Jim Hurtibise & Sonny Ates "nose to nose" - 16 July 1
 

That blue 25 was the Easton car. My dad and I owned it. Dad's name was Bill, and this is Randy Easton. If I remember right our's was the last sprinter Sonny drove.

Here is a picture (I hope) taken at a non USAC race at Winchester. Sonny in car, standing L-R Bill Easton, Mike Cummings, Karl Illg, Bob Hall, and "unknown". I was going to drive the car, but was out of town, and dad put Sonny in the car.

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