American to break the 400-mph barrier on land . This accomplishment was not directly linked to drag racing , yet it showcased the extent of Thompson ’ s ambition and technical prowess , traits that permeated his drag racing career .
Throughout the 1960s , Thompson ’ s presence in the drag racing community grew , not only through his racing endeavors but also through his contributions to automotive design and safety . He pioneered the use of aluminum and fiberglass in the construction of racing cars , significantly reducing weight and , by extension , increasing speed . His interest in safety also led him to design various protective features for cars and drivers , anticipating modern safety measures long before they became standard .
In 1963 , he founded Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels , an enterprise devoted to developing high-performance tires capable of meeting the demands of extreme speed . At first , the company produced tires specifically for his Indianapolis 500 cars and NHRA Super Stock competitors . Mickey Thompson tires quickly gained traction with teenagers who put them on their muscle cars . Thompson ’ s interest in off-road racing led to tire lines for the off-road market . The U . S . Navy even relied on Mickey Thompson off-road tires for their for their SEAL Fast Attack Vehicles during the Gulf War .
Thompson ’ s early fascination with drag racing shines through today in the company ’ s ro-bust line of front and rear tires for a variety of drag racing applications , including heads-up big-tire and small-tire racing , bracket racing , motorcycle drag racing , and even Jr . Dragster racing . The ET Drag line of slicks is engineered for maximum traction and consistent E . T . s for nearly every drag racing application . The ET Street Radial lines helped revolutionize the world of drag radial racing , setting records in Radial vs . the World , Pro 275 , X275 , and multi-ple other small-tire classes . The Pro Bracket Radial line similarly offers consistency for bracket racers .
“ The world of drag racing continues to grow and evolve rapidly ,” said Jason Moulton , Motor-sports Director , Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels . “ In the spirit of Mickey Thompson , we strive to innovate and be in the forefront . We do not look at our competition for ideas . We look to the racers and build a product to meet or exceed their needs .”
As drag racing continues to evolve with new technologies and materials , Mickey Thomp-son ’ s pioneering spirit remains a beacon . His willingness to push the limits of technology and his visionary approach to car design are ingrained in the fabric of the sport . For many , he remains a hero , not just for how fast he went , but for how far he pushed the horizon of possibility in the pursuit of speed . In the echoes of roaring engines and the screech of tires , Mickey Thompson ’ s legacy has continued to gain traction with those who work to defy limits . DI
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