Mickey Thompson is a name well known in many types of racing. He was a genius/ madman engineer that tested the boundaries of automotive innovation and logic. He spoke the language of ingenuity. In his long pedigree of motorsports projects, one stands apart from the others. Already a veteran of Bonneville land speed attempts, Mickey […]
Larger Than Life: Inspecting Mickey Thompson’s Challenger Read More »
On March 23, World of Speed Motorsports Museum will unveil the new exhibit, Mario Andretti: Racing Royalty, honoring the most successful American race car driver of all time. The feature exhibit aligns with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his Pike’s Peak and Indianapolis 500 race wins, as well as his success across five decades
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A MODEL CAR GUIDE TO FERRARI’S RACING & PRODUCTION VEHICLES 1950S Having just built its first production car in 1947, Ferrari breaks out the Gran Turismo, introducing the America, Europa, and Mexico, as well as the California and Berlinetta editions. Meanwhile on the track, Ferrari’s racing prototypes land on the Testa Rossa, providing Ferrari’s first
Ferrari Through The Decades Read More »
After the Second World War, the sun rose on a world where factories that had formerly churned out warplanes were making automobiles, a world where military airstrips were becoming raceway circuits. From the Nürburgring to Indianapolis, racing was back. The new Formula 1 race series was dominated by European car makers, like Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and
Photo courtesy of Gregor Halenda Through photographs, rider jackets, team sweaters, and enlarged programs, discover Sidewinders, the club and the track. Learn about the club’s origins, the unique traits of the track, the experience of the crowds, and the riders of the local landmark that was known for its intimidating track and local legends. Designed
Triumph Motorcycle Display Read More »
Jimmy Martin grew up in Oregon’s burgeoning racing culture of the 1940s, made his way to the 1949 Indy 500 as a mechanic, became part of the SoCal performance parts shop and garage culture by the 1950s, traveled up and down the west coast as one of the many that helped to solidify the California
Jimmy Martin Photos gary Martin Words Read More »
From Moonshine to NASCAR: HOW THE PROHIBITION LEAD TO STOCK CAR RACING MOONSHINE & BOOTLEGGERS Made in the cover of night to prevent the detection of smoke rising from clandestine stills earned the alcohol its name: moonshine. The high-proof distilled spirit produced illicitly, moonshine exploded in popularity when the 18th Amendment of the US Constitution
From Moonshine To Nascar Read More »
The Big Names of 1972 AMA Race at Salem 1/2 Mile Flat Track Have you ever wondered if you’re looking at the next big star? Before they make the big times? For a moment in 1972, some of the biggest names of all time in worldwide motorcycle racing were right here in the backyards of
The Big Names Of 1972 Ama Race At Salem 1/2 Mile Flat Track Read More »
Gene Thiessen was a motorcycle racer from Eugene, OR who raced in the 1950s for the motorcycle company BSA, including the Daytona 200 and Nationals, along with multiple regional races, and stacked up land speed records. A binder was recently donated to the World of Speed Archive with a collection of photocopied articles, photos and
Bsa Racer Gene Thiessen Read More »
Having successfully set a number of national and international records in his Assault I dragster at March AFB on May 14, 1960, Mickey Thompson returned on July 9 the following year with a fleet of cars. His intention: to break as many records as he could on the 8,000-foot runway in the day he had
Mickey Thompson Attempt Read More »
