Danny Thompson (racer)
Encyclopedia
Danny P. Thompson is an American
race car driver and the son of motorsports legend Mickey Thompson
.
He began his career at age 9, winning his first quarter-midget championship one year later. He moved on to motocross
and Formula Atlantic
cars in his teens, before graduating to sprint cars
and stadium trucks
later in life. He took control of the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group
after the death of his father. He left the industry in 1996 following the company's bankruptcy.
In 2003 Thompson succeeded in joining his father in the Bonneville 200 MPH Club. He became the driver of the world's fastest Ford Mustang
in 2008, and has announced plans to begin building a 500 mph streamliner intended for a run at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2010.
In July 2009, SpeedTV began production of a multi-part television series featuring Thompson and other members of Hajek Racing as they attempted to build a production based 2010 Ford Mustang capable of achieving speeds in excess of 300 mph. The experimental vehicle incorporates a number of environmentally friendly features, and is intended to showcase the notion that racing and environmental responsibility need not be at odds.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
race car driver and the son of motorsports legend Mickey Thompson
Mickey Thompson
Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson was an American off-road racing legend. He won many championships as a racer, and later formed sanctioning bodies SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group . He also raced in dragsters and land speed record automobiles.Thompson was born in Alhambra,...
.
He began his career at age 9, winning his first quarter-midget championship one year later. He moved on to motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
and Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
cars in his teens, before graduating to sprint cars
Sprint car racing
Sprint cars are high-powered race cars designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa....
and stadium trucks
Trophy Truck
Trophy Trucks are the fastest class of off-road racing vehicles designed and built to resemble modern pickup trucks. Although any truck that meets the safety standards can race the trophy truck class, they, for the most part, feature long travel suspensions and high power engines...
later in life. He took control of the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group
Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group
The Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group was a sanctioning body for an American off-road racing series that took place inside stadiums. Some events were televised, including on TNN and ESPN. -History:...
after the death of his father. He left the industry in 1996 following the company's bankruptcy.
In 2003 Thompson succeeded in joining his father in the Bonneville 200 MPH Club. He became the driver of the world's fastest Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
in 2008, and has announced plans to begin building a 500 mph streamliner intended for a run at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2010.
In July 2009, SpeedTV began production of a multi-part television series featuring Thompson and other members of Hajek Racing as they attempted to build a production based 2010 Ford Mustang capable of achieving speeds in excess of 300 mph. The experimental vehicle incorporates a number of environmentally friendly features, and is intended to showcase the notion that racing and environmental responsibility need not be at odds.