Sonny Coleman

[parrot]

I recently came across this photo of Sonny Coleman in the pits of Lakeside Speedway. The year, I believe, is 1950, and Sonny looks pretty happy in the #67 midget, the only V8-60 in the Kenz & Leslie stable of three, and sometimes four, midgets during that era. Divided into Offy or V8 60 classes, this car would be piloted to a V8 main which would then qualified Sonny to also race in the Offy main event. Sonny said that he would place high enough in that race that he'd sometimes take home a larger purse than the Offy main winner. This car was black with a red scallop paint scheme. A story was relayed to me how this car came to be numbered 'six seven'. Rather than tell you here, wonder if anyone out there knows the answer?

[VintageBuzz]

From the Lou Wendzel collection, this decal goes well with BP's article and photo of Sonny Coleman in the #67 K&L Midget. My Dad was very good friends with Bill Kenz starting with the midgets in the Denver area in the mid '40s and then at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the late '40s / early '50. During those years, Bill Kenz shared many of his V8-60 speed-secrets with my Dad. ~VB

[Thomas E]

Joe Giba also drove the Kenz & Leslie 67 midget.

Here is fuzzy thumbnail. Lakeside.

[Mitch G.]

Lakeside Speedway, 1949, Coleman on the inside in the K&L V8-60, Roy Bowe in Miles Spicklers Offy #3 on the outside. Check out the cool scoreboard! This shot is a great reference shot, notice how the K&L Kurtis has a much larger nose opening, and grill than the #3, you could order your Kurtis with a larger nose opening and grill, to aid in cooling the notorious overheating V8-60. The Offy only needed the standard nose and grill from Kurtis.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9&pictureid=680

[lakeside #29]

Sonny Coleman used to run the motor rebuild shop at Tree Electric. They used to rebuild electric motors of all sizes. Especially the high horsepower ones. Sonny also used to balance car engines, and he was one of the best at it. Figure 8 champ Terry Boyle worked for Sonny at one time, rewinding motors. According to Sonny Terry was the best motor winder he had and Terry thought that Sonny was a pretty good boss. I remember Terry having Sonny balance motors for his figure 8 cars.

Sonny was a champion driver and is a really great human being. He also has some great racing stories.

Chris Ertler

[Thomas E]

Sonny Colemman's dad and mom, Everett and Dorothy(?) Coleman were being cared for at Cherry Park Manor when I met them, of course I saw Sonny a couple of times as well. Cherry Park Manor is where I began my nursing home chaplaincy thirty+ years ago.

When Everett Coleman along with Sonny, and is another son/brother (I do not recall his name), the Coleman's started out with a #21 cut down roadster, I think they were running in Brighton or a place called the Ranch. Mrs. Coleman called It "Mother's Worry"or it was "Mother's Headache".

[Mitch G.]

Thomas, that was probably Gage Ranch, a natural "bowl" with no grandstands, my dad remembers going to see the CARC roadsters race there in 1947 or 48. It only ran parts of 47 and 48, it was east of Denver, just west of what became Stapleton Intl. Airport. I can't find any info on what length the track was, here's a picture of Red Johnson #14x, and Ralph Iacovetta #55 in action at Gage Ranch in 1947.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=34&pictureid=690

[Thomas E]

"The Ranch" that's it. There are two books about the "Roaring Roadsters" that are good. "Roaring Roadsters" 1 and 2 by Don Radbruch. Number 1, deals with a state by state accounting of the roadster racong clubs, associations, drivers and cars, Colorado is covered quite nicely. Book number 2, which I have not seen yet, but I'm sure it is equal to the first. I think there a few book selling venues will carry both books.

There is another book I believe it is titled 'Roaring Roadster to Indianapolis". It too gets high marks from the reviewers.

[Jerry Lee]

Hey BP, this is a great old thread you started a couple years ago. I can finally add to it.....

http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=305&pictureid=4914
(Coleman collection) Sonny Coleman at Lakeside Speedway in 1948. This was a
Jimmy Yamoka owned maroon & white car that was once wheeled by Freddy Agabashian.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=171&pictureid=4916
(Coleman collection) Sonny wins in a Lakeside coupe sometime in the '50's.



http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=171&pictureid=4915
(Coleman collection) Another Lakeside win in 1955, this time in a Blu Plemons owned '34 Ford.

[Jerry Lee]

A story was relayed to me how this car came to be numbered 'six seven'. Rather than tell you here, wonder if anyone out there knows the answer?

The answer to this question has yet to be revealed in the thread. Tell me! Tell me!

[Thomas E]

The answer to this question has yet to be revealed in the thread. Tell me! Tell me!
:think: I wonder if it is something to do with K and L's #67 midget.