Mickey Thompson

Please discuss here all your remarks and pose your questions about all racing series, except Formula One. Both technical and other questions about GP2, Touring cars, IRL, LMS, ...
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flynfrog
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006, 22:31

Mickey Thompson

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Found a video about Mickey T. Some of you across the pond might not know but he was one the early inavators in most of the racing in the US.
The first american to go over 400mph

http://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/2013 ... on-wheels/


He brought the roller skate to Indy a revolutionary car using smaller wider tires. One had a titanium chassis.
Image

He also tried 3 wheel steering that wasnt discovered until Colin Chapman looked at the car.
http://8w.forix.com/indy64-before.html


He also did drag racing, Desert racing, and was one of the pioneers of stadium super-cross racing. He and his wife were murdered by their partner in the venture.

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strad
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Joined: 02 Jan 2010, 01:57

Re: Mickey Thompson

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He was also a very nice man,,,very helpful to those needful of his expertise and a generally great guy.
Rest In Peace.
To achieve anything, you must be prepared to dabble on the boundary of disaster.”
Sir Stirling Moss

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MOWOG
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Joined: 07 Apr 2013, 15:46
Location: Rhode Island, USA

Re: Mickey Thompson

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Good information on Mickey Thompson. Thanks! =D>

There was a very exciting culture of innovation back then. Computers where still decades away and much of race car design was the result of "seat of the pants" evaluation by talented drivers.

Despite Formula One being the self proclaimed pinnacle of motorsports, there remains an air of nostalgia for those simpler days when innovation was not a dirty word. :?
Some men go crazy; some men go slow. Some men go just where they want; some men never go.