Alright...time for a good 'ol fashioned butt kissing.
A couple years ago Sonny had an idea that was a bit "out there" considering the place our hobby was in. He pitched that idea to a couple great sponsors as well as tracks and developed the BRL that we know today.
He's taken some undeserved shots through the last couple years, as well as a fair amount of praise. His ideas were just that, his. He's laid down fair rules and provided many of us midwest guys with a solid, predictable race program for the last couple seasons. As HT continues to spawn new threads about new organizations, ROAR bashing, rule changes,etc. we BRL racers were so fortunate to have the stability and the devotion that Sonny established a couple years ago. Other areas of the country continue to search for what might bring racers back...or keep them around. Those of us from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, etc. have been extremely fortunate that we were able to compete and socialize with an unbelievable group of racers with no doubts that we would have ta solid series to compete in...thanks to Sonny.
Sonny has been and continues to be a great, great personal friend of myself and my family. His desire to keep our "circle" of friends together and racing has made the last 3 years of my RC racing career more than I could ever hope for. I know his work commitments have changed the course of his BRL involvement, but I'm absolutely positive the Kleinhagen crew will continue on with the same great attitude and respect that Sonny has established thus far.
So...Sonny always makes sure to ask that we racers thank the series sponsors for allowing the BRL to happen. I would like to take the time to say thanks them as well, but to thank Sonny most of all for everything he's done. He's a great friend to many of us and I think I speak for all of us when I say it was a job well done.

Thanks Mr. Brown.

dk

I have no idea where I'd be today, and where our local track would be without Sonny. Before the BRL I'd attended the Birds a time or two, but never felt connected to the other racers in the Midwest. It wasn't until the BRL gave us a structured schedule, and a reason to follow it, that I felt we were all on the same page. The first race I got to was Vinton that year and it made the hobby that much more fun; close, fair racing with 100 or so entries, and the racers attitudes towards just having fun and leaving with a smile on their face truly got me hooked enough to stay around. I'll be a lifer because of what Sonny created in the BRL.
He's left enormously big shoes to fill, so much so it'll take at least two of us to do so. We'll probably be wearing out the speed dial as next fall approaches, and there'll always be a house car with his name on it.
Thanks for all that you've done Sonny.
CK3

Well Said Dusty and Chuck.:thumbsup: Thanks Sonny for all you've done over the past few years.

Jason Jackson

Thanks Sonny for all the hard work and a great series !!!!!!!1

Congrats to Sonny....You made Monti and Kevin BRL racers. I just wish I had a tape of what they said about it 3 years ago!

Thanks Sonny for taking Carpet Oval Racing in the right direction....you deserve alot of credit!

Joe Retheford

Alright...time for a good 'ol fashioned butt kissing.
A couple years ago Sonny had an idea that was a bit "out there" considering the place our hobby was in. He pitched that idea to a couple great sponsors as well as tracks and developed the BRL that we know today.
He's taken some undeserved shots through the last couple years, as well as a fair amount of praise. His ideas were just that, his. He's laid down fair rules and provided many of us midwest guys with a solid, predictable race program for the last couple seasons. As HT continues to spawn new threads about new organizations, ROAR bashing, rule changes,etc. we BRL racers were so fortunate to have the stability and the devotion that Sonny established a couple years ago. Other areas of the country continue to search for what might bring racers back...or keep them around. Those of us from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, etc. have been extremely fortunate that we were able to compete and socialize with an unbelievable group of racers with no doubts that we would have ta solid series to compete in...thanks to Sonny.
Sonny has been and continues to be a great, great personal friend of myself and my family. His desire to keep our "circle" of friends together and racing has made the last 3 years of my RC racing career more than I could ever hope for. I know his work commitments have changed the course of his BRL involvement, but I'm absolutely positive the Kleinhagen crew will continue on with the same great attitude and respect that Sonny has established thus far.
So...Sonny always makes sure to ask that we racers thank the series sponsors for allowing the BRL to happen. I would like to take the time to say thanks them as well, but to thank Sonny most of all for everything he's done. He's a great friend to many of us and I think I speak for all of us when I say it was a job well done.

Thanks Mr. Brown.

dk

AMEN, dk AMEN!:thumbsup::thumbsup:
thanks for everything sonny!!!!!

DK I think your words are spot on for all BRL racers. Thank you Sonny for all you have done. Chuck and Chuck, we enjoyed dinner with you the other night and will do what ever it takes to support you in your new roll with the BRL.

dk said it all...........thx again sonny

Thanks Sonny for all that you have done :thumbsup: You are truely one class act !!! Chuck and Chuck what ever I can do count me in :thumbsup:

Yes Dusty, and Chuck, well stated. Sonny deserves a ton of credit for a well tought out and together series, and I believe that there is a lot of others that are behind the scenes that we don't give credit too, and they also should be commended on great events, and series.

Now personally for this Canuck, or as Sonny likes to somtimes refer to me as, " the man whom has taken the BRL International !" I have some words to say.

Unbelievable!!!!!!!!! Awsome!!!!!!

I for one have only been to two events in the last two years, not my fault mind you, it is all my kids, LOL. But in that time I have got to know so many people, so many friends, and had just about the best time racing in all of my going on 28 years, ( I've really lost track, but I know I'm close on that ) racing.
As for the nationals this weekend, I knew a couple of things, that I would know Sonny, and that the Hanson family was going to be there, and racing was going to be good. And just like in Pittsburg back in 2008, I was welcomed into a community, made to feel like I belonged, I don't even get that I my home track.

There were so many times that I just had to take stock in the personallity of the oval community in general, and the little things, like DK talking to me about my day, the ups & downs, Franky U giving me tips & tricks, views on my ride, and trying to drag me out to God only knows where, to some ridiculous time, ( your on in the fall FU ), Charlie Mr. Mudslide and his crew giving me my white balls & my BRANDING, ( 2 in P 1 in S ) LOL, you guys rock, anyone whom I went out with for dinner, felt like one of the guys, not a FORINER, hearing "EH" from just about everyone, even thought I was saying "HEY" most of the time, I know, I know, I HAVE THE ACCENT!!!! All my wingmen on the Sat. night cougar pub crawl, you 3 amigos ROCKED, good times ( Zippy you killed my Mojo, but Lya dude, nuff said, I really won't start a whole thread on just you, REALLY ), Eric ( the local ) for making me feel like I was a oval racing god, dude, your ok, hey you won the A main dude, I bow to you in humbleness, Sparky thanks for the upper/downer beverage and the most insane T plate I have ever scene, Mark ( the big man ) can't thank you enough for the killer pack you gave me, John great place, awesome tires, and thanks for shipping my camera, ( me dumb ass ), Sonny, thanks for jokes on me, and thanks for mostly not stressing me out this time in my main about the lucky dog so I could not mess up my last minute on the wheel just the second last lap, how could I've hit the wall, your a good friend man, and to all who gave me any encouragement, Thanks!!!!

But lastly, ( cause I know this is getting long, SU Canadian ) I big thanks to my BRO Jamie for all the time you spent on tweaking my car, talking to me about what I should do, and how, teaching not just doing it for me, I had you Bro, I had you, can't wait to race with you again, you going down. And also my new dad Mr. Hanson. For letting me go out and play, but making sure I was up to pay for it in the morning, LOL, and all the encouragement, your a great father.

Ok, enough, I'm done, thx for reading

Peter ( the Canuck ) D :thumbsup:

Very will put Dusty and Chuck cant seem to add anything to it.

Take care and have a Great summer

Eric K

I dont have much more to add that hasnt already been said, but THANKS Sonny! Its great that we have a series that can remain so competitive but yet everyone in the building is still having fun with their friends from across the midwest and farther. Look forward to next year and I'm sure the Kleinhagens will do a great job.

Thanks Sonny for all you have done for Oval Racing in the Midwest! The past 3 seasons have been a blast!! I can't imagine racing without the BRL now!

Good Luck to Chuck & Big Chuck for the upcoming BRL Season! You guys will go great, and I plan to be there to support the Best Racing League there is!! :thumbsup:

The BRL finals was indeed a great weekend race once again. Thanks Peter, we enjoyed every minute--you are a good friend and an outstanding McPappy voice and racer. Thanks Dusty for the well written tribute to Sonny and his BRL legacy--Thanks Sonny!!! Thanks John for a great place to race once again and your continued great support for the BRL series. Thanks to NOVAK and the other series supporters. Over the last three years, Jamie and I have made many good friends and enjoyed many wonderful moments. BRL oval racers are the best, and SONNY for President (even if he can only do the job part time). Jim

thanks to Sonny for the BRL and bringing back oval racing.

Eh????

Just messing with you Peter, that reminds me to give Eric a bump into the wall this week :)

Everything has been said A Big Big Thanks to Sonny for All you have done. Thanks to All The sponsers he got lined up to back the series. And To Chuck and Chuck Cant wait until fall to get started again We will be there to support you as we did Sonny.

Well the first two posts by Dusty and Chuck said things pretty well. I do want to add my thanks to Sonny for all he has done for oval racing and to the sponsors who have supported his vision for an touring series for oval racing and supported us racers.

I'd say Sonny will be missed but I don't expect him to be a stranger around oval tracks and he did promise he'd be available whenever we need some advice. As Chuck said, they'll always be a "house car" available if he wants to come and enjoy running in some races instead of running races.

Although Sonny has passed the baton, the BRL will always be his baby. We’re humbled and flattered that he considered us worthy step dads and we’ll do our best to continue the tradition of well run, competitive, fair and fun racing he has established.

You're going to be a tough act to follow Mr. Brown.....

It is hard to follow all that has been said and all of it is well deserved. Sonny has stuck by his guns and made racing competitive for all as well as lots of fun. I have met people from all over the country and I guess the continent, and have many good friends as a result.

I understand why Sonny is having to pass the torch, and I'm not sure that it could have been passed to anyone that will give it as much effort as the Kleinhagens will.

I also think that a lot of the success of the series has to do with the sponsors, Lefthander, Muddslide, Bsr Tires and of course Novak.

I'm looking forward to next year.

See you on the Dirt Sonny.:wave:

Great job Sonny. How many years ago was it that the people were saying they didn't like that brushless thing? Well I think it is here to stay. Your rules didn't make everybody happy and you took the heat very well, as I think the Chucks can take it too. You made the rules fair for everybody and if some people didn't like it, then they didn't have to race with us. I thank the people that did support the BRL, great people to race with.

I'm looking forward to some dirt oval racing with you, even if it is only in practice.

Great job!!!!

Almost forgot.
Well owe Allen Mendenhall from Allen's RC in Rochester Illinois a big thanks too. Allen worked with Novak with track testing the early motors.

good job sonny on a another BRL season ....... now its time to get that 1/4 pounder out and come play ........... got to love those 1/4 pounders .......

The BRL finals was indeed a great weekend race once again. Thanks Peter, we enjoyed every minute--you are a good friend and an outstanding McPappy voice and racer. Thanks Dusty for the well written tribute to Sonny and his BRL legacy--Thanks Sonny!!! Thanks John for a great place to race once again and your continued great support for the BRL series. Thanks to NOVAK and the other series supporters. Over the last three years, Jamie and I have made many good friends and enjoyed many wonderful moments. BRL oval racers are the best, and SONNY for President (even if he can only do the job part time). Jim

AW! Thanks dad!!! I try, you were a big help to me, in my confidence, and smoothing out my driving.
Now we just have to work on Jamie & McPappy

Peter

Dusty's post is excellent. Thanks Sonny! Maybe I'll see ya on the dirt this summer!

I have had the pleasure of calling Sonny a true friend, and traveling buddy. Way too many laughs, usually at my expense. Will do my best to keep supporting the BRL and help the FAMILY CHUCK with anything I can,,,,,maybe I should start doing some announcing....HOOWWWWLLLLL,,,,,,,don't need a mic for that though.

great posts by all the BRL attendees racers and family alike.
Wolfman

Even in my worst day of racing the BRL (and I have had a lot of them this year) I still had fun knowing that everyone was just there to have a good time and that when I needed something, two people always offered to help. Sonny has put together THE series that others are now being compared to. And to think that this brushless/lipo stuff will never take off! Thanks to having the vision to take oval racing to the next generation and assisting in guiding it to something all oval racers could enjoy. And not to mention the great door prizes lined up by Sonny and provided by all of the great BRL sponsors, Novak, Lefthander, Muddslide, BSR, and anyone else who was forgotten. I know I have taken my fare share of door prizes in the last three years. Thanks to everyone who follows the series and helps set the tone for the best racing weekend around, Team Riverdance (aka KevBuilt), Mudd, MK with his stylish directing of our favorite racers, all the Steiner bros (1 thru 4), the whole Iowa/Nebraska crew who always seemed to be in the same heat, and everyone else who makes this so fun, and sorry for waking you Mike M, I know you were getting in the zone. Best wishes, hope to see all outside this summer, hopefully on caps, but maybe on dirt!?!?

I have to say SONNY did a great job at bringing "SERIES" racing some respect!

Having been involved in SERIES racing for over 18 of the 24 years I've been RCing, and having directed/promoted/and RUNNING the races, along with the scheduling and rules making, etc...and virtually ALL the other behind the scenes work for our SWT series for our now 9th SEASON -- I can firmly attest to how much WORK it is...and how much DEDICATION is required.

Much like our series, the BRL appears to have an awesome following...and made a HUGE Dent and Impact on the R/C Oval end of this great hobby.

Thumbs UP to the new owners/directors, and the continuance of the BRL!

Thanks guys I appreciate all of the kind comments. The success of the BRL has a lot more to do with the sponsors, racers, and individuals behind the scenes that support it than it has to do with me. I'm just fortunate enough to have a lot of great friends around the country.

Having said that it's not over and this is not a going away party for me. Although I can’t be at every event next year I'm sure I'll still make a few. This time as a racer!!

I'm very happy and also confident that I have left the BRL in good hands. I'm sure the Kleinhagen's will inject new energy and thinking that will help keep the series moving forward.

For now the sun is out, the temps are getting warmer, and it's time to get the dirt cars and 1/4 scale ready. :wave:

C-ya soon

Sonny B

Thanks Mr. Brown for a great series, and everything you've done:thumbsup:
Thanks to all the great sponsors:thumbsup:

Thanks to all the great tracks and drivers:thumbsup:


see everybody next fall:thumbsup::wave:

Downtown Sonny Brown!!!! Congrats on doing a great job for the series. It probabaly wouldn't have happen without your help and everybodies input:thumbsup:

now has for that Dusty Kemp guy????? weird guy!!!!:wave: Luv ya dude!!

sonny i have not made a brl race yet...but alot of these guys can only imagine what a pain the azz this stuff can be...

you are da man! and keep it up!

JOB WELL DONE!


bill