PARTNER PROFILE
MICKEY THOMPSON : A LEGEND WHO DEFIED LIMITS
Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels continues founder ’ s mission
BY NATE VAN WAGNEN
M ickey Thompson , a name synonymous with raw speed and mechanical innovation , carved a niche so deep in the world of drag racing that his influence ripples through the sport to this day . The brand that now bears his name , Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels , seeks to continue Thompson ’ s legacy through its ever-evolving tires and wheels for enthusiasts in numerous corners of the automotive world .
Born Marion Lee Thompson on December 7 , 1928 , in Alhambra , California , Mickey Thompson entered the world of auto racing in the late 1940s . It wasn ’ t long before he made his mark , not just as a talented driver but also as an inventive engineer . By the 1950s , Thompson was setting the drag racing world alight , breaking speed record after speed record , eventu-ally earning the nickname “ The Speed King .”
Thompson ’ s approach to changing the sport ’ s technology and tactics was not confined to mere incremental improvements . Instead , he sought transformative changes that reshaped the landscape of drag racing .
Thompson is credited with crafting the first front-engine “ slingshot ” dragster , where the driver sat behind the rear axle , drastically lowering the vehicle ’ s center of gravity and improv-ing traction . This innovation not only enhanced performance but also safety , as it provided better handling at high speeds . The design was soon adopted by others , cementing its place as a staple in drag racing .
But Thompson didn ’ t stop there . His relentless pursuit of speed led him to explore various engine configurations and innovations . He was among the first to experiment with super-chargers and nitromethane fuel , pushing the boundaries of what was mechanically and physically possible on the quarter-mile strip .
Perhaps one of Thompson ’ s most audacious endeavors was the creation of the Challenger I , a car designed for the sole purpose of breaking the world land speed record . In 1960 , at the Bonneville Salt Flats , he set a new record , achieving a speed of 406.60 mph , making him the first
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MICKEY THOMPSON TIRES & WHEELS
96 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 188