Event Coverage Danny Thompson & Challenger II

So happy for him.

 

Legendary hot rod hero and his Son.....the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree!

 

and I saw it all in person on my 1st trip to the salt. life is good

 

Too cool !!

 

It was amazing weekend to be there and witness what Danny did. I was at the starting line when he left on both days and got these photos in my other thread.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/bonneville-2016.1029157/page-2
And video I shot at the start line.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1015454288572896

 

I was there...understand that Don Prudeholm (sp) was on his crew. It was fantastic to watch and hear.

 

Great article and video I read and watched today on CNN ! Congrats Danny, your dad would be proud!


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So damn cool! I was out at the 3 3/4 mark when Danny ran on the record.

 

Correct ... Don "The Snake" Prudhomme was in the CHALLENGER II pit:

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Absolutely fantastic! BIG friggin' DEAL alright.

 

What a weekend!I was so fortunate to be there .America is still a great place to be!

 

That was COOL, worth watching, wish I was there..........

 

And gotta say the crew was nothing but class. Hanging out and watching them work and answer questions about the history and specs on the machine was great.
Real guys being real professional.

 

"The feat brought the 66-year-old racer out of retirement and cost him his life savings. But it fulfilled a dream 48 years in the making."

( http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/14/us/bonneville-danny-thompson-speed-record/ )

I have a feeling he would appreciate it.

 

Great story, the audio is wonderful.

 

Congratulations Danny Thompson! This is what is possible when you never give up, stay focused on your goal, and don't quit.

 

His new record was 406. I heard he requalified today at 411. I guess he and the crew will be back out in the morning trying to raise the record up a bit. I hope the salt gods are smiling tomorrow morning.

 

That is outstanding....Those who got to witness this saw something special.

 

Not true ... Check the dates on that info.

Danny qualified for the record (with the 411.191 mph pass) on Saturday ... and then on Sunday, he ran 402.348 mph to set the (2-way average) record of 406.769 mph.

The Challenger II team stuck around on Monday to practice "turning around" the car within one hour (in preparation for their FIA record attempt at the "Cook's Shootout" Bonneville event in September) ... and then packed up and headed back home.


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Awesome news and plenty of video coverage rolling in....

 

Yep found that out this morning. It was something I heard and hoped it was true. I'm sure he will be back for Cooks Shootout in September.

 

Pics and a video in the Thompson pit with the ladies saying they will be back in Sept.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/trip-to-bonneville-2016.1030085/

 

I met Danny about three years ago when he was by himself in a shop working on the vehicle.
He was so focused I don't know if he knew we were there.
To help pay for the attempt, he was selling of items that he had gotten from his father.
I was lucky enough to get a Mickey Thompson jacket.

 

Danny is a very nice person !!!

 

We were loading up on the return road at the 5 mile when he went by. It was hitting on all 16 holes. JC

 

My best memory of Speedweek was watching him back up the record breaking run. The sound of a car pulling hard at that speed is unforgettable.

John

 

Damn, I saw Don there in Danny's pit but didn't recognise him, too busy watching them put all the panels on. JW

 

I was at Speedweek too and visited the DT pit. What an****ume achievement.

We ran on the same course all week and from the 3 to the 5 the conditions were not good. 4 wheel drive I'm sure helped but we thought that the soft mud under the salt was holding our car back from higher speeds.

At the motel, we met a crew guy who helped build the car in 1968, and toured the show circuit with it, and is back working on this version of the car.

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10209641772138089&id=1142558965

 

Video from Danny Thompson's push truck.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10209641772138089&id=1142558965