Mickey Thompson roared out of the hot rodding world of Southern California to become the "Fastest Man on Wheels," when his Pontiac powered Challenger One broke the 400 mph mark at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
This didn't become an official record because of difficulties he encountered on a second run. The speed authorities require a second run and take the average for the record books. This promotional film captures the drama of his attempt.
Experimental Corvette -- SS
General Motors recruited engineer and race car driver, Zora Arkus Duntov, to help them inject some performance into their brands.
Duntov wanted to make the Corvette competitive with sports cars from Europe like Ferrari and Maserati. To gain respect it needed to win on the track. He organized a team to build the SS or "Experimental Corvette" and took it to Sebring.
Hemi Under Glass Last Ride
After 39 years at the wheel of one of the most famous and unusual cars in drag racing, the Hemi Under Glass, Bob Riggle decided to hang it up.
We were there to capture the last runs of this iconic car and the driver who thrilled crowds at drag strips all over the country.
Mickey Thompson Breaks 400 MPH Speed Barrirer
Thompson's life in the fast lane provides ample material for the filmmakers. From the drag strips, to desert racing to land speed record challenges, to car building, designing and race promotion Thompson earned his place as a certified automotive icon.
He started calling himself the Fastest American on Wheels in 1958 after setting a record of 194 miles per hour. His goal was to break the world record of 394.2 miles per hour set in 1947. He began to build a world land speed record car -- the Challenger 1.
Thompson took his new car out to the Bonneville Salt Flats on October 6, 1959 and piloted it to a World Speed Record of 363.48 miles per hour. He also set a world speed record in A/BFS Class that remained unbeaten until1990 when Al Teague broke it at 389.372 miles per hour in his streamliner.
In 1960, Thompson returned to the Bonneville Salt Flats with a modified Challenger 1 for another record attempt. Its four 410 cubic-inch engines secured his title when he set a new American record at 330.51 miles per hour. He bested the world speed with a run at 407 miles per hour (which was faster than any man had drive a car before) but crashed before he could make a second run and thus secure the official record.
The Challenger 1 had its last record run two year later on July 24, 1962. The poor conditions of the salt flats halted the first attempt because he couldnt get any traction as the car bounced on the salt bed. He found a smoother part of the Flats for another run and turned in a speed of 357 mph. But he announced that the Challengers days on the Salt Flats were over.
Source: www.greatcarstv.com
2010 Baja 1000 - Armin Schwarz In Car
All German Motorsports http://allgermanmotorsports.com/ Armin Schwarz and Bryan Lyttle start the All German Motorsports Class 1 Buggy at the 2010 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. The race was set for 1061 Miles. This is the incar video from the Start.
Thrust SSC -over the sound barrier !
October 1997, UK managed to break the sound barrier on earth, using the fantastic Thrust SSC vehicule. I made this video because there was too few videos about this remarkable event on the web. (music credits: Spa 24 hours - Stephen Baysted)
Burt Munro's 1920 Indian Scout
This is the 1920 Indian Scout built and driven by Burt Munro. Jay Leno on commentary. Three times during the '60's it set the World's fastest flying mile record for motorcycles under 1000cc at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This is not the reproduction used in the "The World's Fastest Indian" starring Anthony Hopkins, but the actual bike that set the record. Fortunately this is the second year of the Concours d'Elegance to feature motorcycles on the green. This year they featured the salt flat racers and their contribution to Hot Rodding. I was very lucky to see and hear this amazing piece of history.
For more information about Burt Munro, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burt_Munro
Or buy "The World's Fastest Indian" because it's a true story. It's one of my favorites, and surely will not disappoint any gear head. Anthony's perfectly cast for the role.
Barry Bryant car disintegrates Bonneville Speedway Colin E. Braley / RRA-MEDIA.COM
Driver Dies in Speed Week Accident--The Tom Thumb, #216 Coup, driven by Barry Bryant disintegrates as the vehicle rolls near the five-mile marker at the Bonneville Speedway in Utah August 9, 2009. Officials of the Bonneville Nationals report that Bryant, 46, from Anderson, California, died while being transported to a Salt Lake City area hospital. Bryant was traveling approximately 200 mph. at the time of the accident. Photo by Colin E. Braley/RRA-MEDIA.COM
Mickey Thompson Baja Radial MTZ Tires Perform in the Mud & On the Road
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/Mickey-Thompson-MTZ-Specialty-SLT-Radial.aspx?t_c=13&t_s=161&t_pt=100801&t_pl=2890 - Mickey Thompson Baja Radial MTZs are gnarly tires made for the mud. Find these mud tires, and more off road parts, at 4WheelParts.com.
The Bonneville Story Part 2- Evolution To The Bonneville Salt Flats
The Hot Rod Story - Part 2 - Evolution To The Bonneville Salt Flats - Racing's Biggest Names At Their Beginnings Mickey Thompson's First Car, etc. This Is Where They Found The Best Place For Racing In The 20s And 30s, And Mickey Thompson's First Car Is Also Shown.
Bonneville Salt Flats ACK Attack Streamliner Crash
This is the ACK Attack Streamliner. The crash occured during the 2004 BUB Speed Trials on the Bonneville Salt Flats. This was the first time the motorcycle streamliner had been driven at high speed. It crashed in the middle of the timing blocks at a little over 300 mph!!
