Sonny Leonard (June 19, 1943 – January 10, 2021) was an American businessman and the CEO of Sonny's Automotive Racing, a company he founded in January 1969.[2] Leonard was known for designing and building large engine displacement drag racing V8 engines.[3] Leonard's engines have won numerous national and global records and championships on land and sea.[4] In 2012 Sonny Leonard developed a big block engine over 16,387 cc (1,000.0 cu in).[5]
Sonny Leonard | |
|---|---|
| Born | Estol Fletcher Leonard June 19, 1943 Gladys, VA |
| Died | January 10, 2021 (aged 77) Lynchburg General Hospital Lynchburg, VA |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Sonny |
| Occupation(s) | Owner and operator of Sonny's Automotive Racing |
| Years active | 52 |
| Known for | Designing and building large displacement racing engines |
| Notable work | First 16,387 cc (1,000.0 cu in) V8 street racing engine[1] |
Achievements (selection)
editSonny Leonard was specialized in creating American V8 engines of 9,832 cc (600.0 cu in) up to 16,387 cc (1,000.0 cu in).[6]
History
editAfter turning his hobby into a business, Sonny Leonard opened a garage in 1968 in a 27.87 m2 (300.0 sq ft) building in Madison Heights, Virginia.[12] In 1987, Leonard made history with Bill Kuhlmann, who drove Sonny's 615 cubic inch engine to the first speed of 200 mph in history with a full-bodied car.[13] In 2013 Sonny Leonard became a partner for the 2013 season in the X-treme Drag Racing League (X-DRL).[14] Sonnys Racing Engines celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.[15] In 2019 Sonny Leonard built a second engine to raise funds for Victory Junction.[16] In the same year he led John Montecalvo to the PDRA Pro Stock Championship.[17] Sonny Leonard died on Sunday, January 10, 2021.[18]
References
edit- ^ "1,000ci SAR/CarTek Street Engine Getting Final Tuneup in Denmark". Enginelabs. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Sonny's World Class Racing has been revving up engine business for 50 years". The News & Advance. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Sonny's Racing Engines Big-Block Build - Max Effort". Hot Rod. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Sonny's to Build Charity Engine for Sunnen Sweepstakes at PRI Show". Drag Illustrated. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "1005.8ci Godfather Big Block Engine - The Biggest Rat Ever!". Hot Rod. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "The Inside Scoop On Sonny Leonard's New 820ci Marine Engine". Enginelabs. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Watch Sonny Leonard Himself Rip A Naturally Aspirated 1,000ci Engine To 8,000 RPM On His Dyno – 2,000hp!". Bangshift. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "SAR 940 Racing Engine - Beyond All Measure". Super Chevy. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Big-Block Crate Engine - Enormous!". Hot Rod. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "727 cid Hemispherical Headed Engine". Engine Builder. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "673 Cubic Inch Ford Hemi Makes 1,300+ HP On Engine Dyno". Ford Muscle. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Remembering Sonny Leonard: The Legendary Engine Builder". No Prep Racing. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Engine Building Icon Sonny Leonard Passes Away". Dragzine. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Sonny Leonard Steps Up as XDRL Sponsor". Drag Illustrated. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Sonny's Racing Engines Celebrates 50 Years". Engine Builder. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Sonny Leonard to build 2019 Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes prize". IMD. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Sonny's Racing Leads Montecalvo To PDRA Pro Stock Championship". Drag Illustrated. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "RIP SONNY LEONARD". Muscle Cars & Trucks. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.