Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Bonneville General Chat => Topic started by: Chris V on March 26, 2018, 08:07:51 PM
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Tonight ( Monday) Fox Business
channel 6 PM pacific something about Danny Thompson I got this off a beull Brothers Facebook
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Huh?
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6pm PDT on Fox Business: "Strange Inheritance" about Danny Thompson
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As a young person reading Hot Rod and all the other publications that did features on Mickey and the many forms of motor sports he excelled at,he was obviously one of my heroes. Add to that the awesome products he sold (the only of which I could afford was M/T valve covers, that I still have) and he was legend. His murder just freaked me out. As I sat and watched Strange Inheritance I had emotions that had me in tears and in utter joy. I wish a campaign to help Danny out would start on this site. If about a thousand viewers would send him $50 on there Pay Pal, I think he could buy some spares and give Poteet a scare. 4-barrel, thanks for the heads up!!!!! George
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Actually, Chris V gave the initial heads up. :cheers:
Not a bad show. A bunch of great vintage film plus.
Mike
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Danny already has a sponsor .
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Don't know any racer ('cept maybe George P) that couldn't use more of someone else's money :-o :-o :-o
:cheers:
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Racing is one of the few places where a true free market conservative becomes a socialist by having a strong willingness to spend other people's money. Ain't life a mystery?
John
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I'm not sure how "landracing.com" on the side of Danny's car would make him or any one who supported his effort a socialist. Most free market capitalists write it off as advertising. Help me out Sparky, I didn't know this was political site. :-o
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I'm not sure how "landracing.com" on the side of Danny's car would make him or any one who supported his effort a socialist. Most free market capitalists write it off as advertising. Help me out Sparky, I didn't know this was political site. :-o
It can be political, or not. It depends on who might take offense at your post!
:cheers:
Fordboy
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I understand he's managed to make a living out of sponsorship $$ for a while now but you can donate if you want. He actually had the Hot Rod trophy in the bag at Speed Week & then went over & mouthed off to George who was done for the meet. Apparently that didn't sit too well with George so he rolled "Goldie" out & made some more runs to correct that.
I'm the extreme underdog in the big streamliner world, going it alone out of my own shallow pocket in a short shed in Idaho. I have a lot more respect for cubic Dollars than I will ever have for arrogance.
Sid.
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Thanks to those of you that enjoyed the special. There were a few inaccuracies, but that always happens, and it was great working with Jaime's team. I'm not sure what the political talk is about, but we do have some terrific sponsors, and we're always looking for more. C2 is a hungry beast, which is a fact of racing I'm sure you're all familiar with.
We generally don't try to correct things people post online, but I'll say for the record that what "kiwi belly tank" wrote is entirely untrue, and pretty disappointing to read on an enthusiast forum. Cheers, DT.
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I enjoyed the show :cheers:
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Welcome to the forum Danny, hope to hear more from you in the future.
Bill
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!
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It has been a while since Nolan White has past, Al teauge has retired and Burkland has put his efforts on 'hold'. The much anticipated Herbert car never materialized and other beautiful builds that looked promising never returned for what ever reason. The course is too short for Target 550 and so on. My comment was an, I love competition statement, nothing more. Poteet is the coolest guy in the world. Spends his money on the last great motor sport of REASON. Could afford a voice coach to speak "Boston" and be hobnobbing with the elitists of the world. But NO he hangs with low lifes (BV racers) and has even talked with a regular guy like me (some times I get irregular) I'm just keeping it all about racing and going fast. I would love to see Danny post some big numbers. I looked at that car and the frontal shot of it and it reminded me of a something I have believed since I saw the car at the Grand National Roadster Show. It is the most aero streamliner ever built. Good on ya Mickey!!
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I understand he's managed to make a living out of sponsorship $$ for a while now but you can donate if you want. He actually had the Hot Rod trophy in the bag at Speed Week & then went over & mouthed off to George who was done for the meet. Apparently that didn't sit too well with George so he rolled "Goldie" out & made some more runs to correct that.
I'm the extreme underdog in the big streamliner world, going it alone out of my own shallow pocket in a short shed in Idaho. I have a lot more respect for cubic Dollars than I will ever have for arrogance.
Sid.
Danny
I don’t come to this site often anymore the Valerie crash has caught my attention lately. Petty comments like these really irk me. I don’t know you and have never met you but from what I have read you struggled for years financially finishing the car you and your dad started and finally were able to drop it on the ground and go very fast. The person that wrote this post just seems envious and pathetic with his poor me I am working in a shed and struggling self-pity. I know Mike Cook has been talking to you and hope you can find a way to join us in Bolivia.
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It has been a while since Nolan White has past, Al teauge has retired and Burkland has put his efforts on 'hold'. The much anticipated Herbert car never materialized and other beautiful builds that looked promising never returned for what ever reason.....
Was this the Herbert streamliner? It was at Bonneville in 2009 for Speed Week.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Neil, that pic is of the former Maro Special, built by Tom Hanna for Bobby Moore. Now owned by Jim Knapp of San Diego and currently being prepped @ Maxwell industries (same shop Poteet uses) in Oxnard for the upcoming Bolivia meet!
The Herbert & Steen car made its first appearance in the late 1980s and returned infrequently for a few years. It was a huge 'liner with four big block Chevy engines. Made one pass in the low 300 range but never "qualified."
Willi
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Don't know any racer ('cept maybe George P) that couldn't use more of someone else's money :-o :-o :-o
:cheers:
Racing is one of the few places where a true free market conservative becomes a socialist by having a strong willingness to spend other people's money. Ain't life a mystery?
John
Well John, I got it... I guess some did not....
BTW, if anyone wants to send me sponsor money.... I'm definitely ready... Oh and I know Slim is always up for a little LR.com sponsor cash...
:cheers:
George, let us know if you start a grassroots sponsorship for Danny, I'm in
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I understand he's managed to make a living out of sponsorship $$ for a while now but you can donate if you want. He actually had the Hot Rod trophy in the bag at Speed Week & then went over & mouthed off to George who was done for the meet. Apparently that didn't sit too well with George so he rolled "Goldie" out & made some more runs to correct that.
I'm the extreme underdog in the big streamliner world, going it alone out of my own shallow pocket in a short shed in Idaho. I have a lot more respect for cubic Dollars than I will ever have for arrogance.
Sid.
Danny
I don’t come to this site often anymore the Valerie crash has caught my attention lately. Petty comments like these really irk me. I don’t know you and have never met you but from what I have read you struggled for years financially finishing the car you and your dad started and finally were able to drop it on the ground and go very fast. The person that wrote this post just seems envious and pathetic with his poor me I am working in a shed and struggling self-pity. I know Mike Cook has been talking to you and hope you can find a way to join us in Bolivia.
I didn't intend to pi$$ anybody off but since this forum is a place for information & opinions, you can have yours & I can have mine. My information had come from one of Georges crew but I'm sorry you found it so offensive!
You can read into my comment about my situation what you want but it was merely to point out that a big liner can still be built on a budget in somebodies shed like it was in past Al & Nolan years.
Sid.
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A big liner cannot be built in a shed, only a bike. A barn is needed for the big four wheeled fella.
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I wasn't clear about the Herbert liner. Chet's deal was before my time.. I am referring to the Doug Herbert Ray Everham liner that was to be powered by two turbo Viper engines. They got pretty far along with help from noted NASCAR chassis guys and such. Then the hard part, the last 20% of the build that takes all the time and money. To bad about the negative remark's on Danny. That's the trouble with social media, they're out there forever. Good skill to have in this day and age, art of sincere apology and asking for forgiveness. Has served me well for 54 years. I will ask SSS to help with a fund for Danny as I was serious. He has the forum and intellect to handle it. He's a member of mensa and I graduated HS with a F+ grade point average. ( not quit true,actually D- but that sounds so NEGATIVE) SSS, I have my pay Pal ready, lets help out. I think that car will run 450+ and I'd love to see it.
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Welcome to this site Danny! I'm confident you'll eventually be posting good news here.
[I love the photo of your mom embracing you after the 2016 Bonneville record]
Sorry to say, you'll never be my #1 hero, though- Mickey earned that spot a long time ago (I watched him win Top Eliminator at the '62 Indy Nationals).
As for my signature line- your dad and Fritz were a huge help to my successes with his hemi heads.
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It has been a while since Nolan White has past, Al teauge has retired and Burkland has put his efforts on 'hold'. The much anticipated Herbert car never materialized and other beautiful builds that looked promising never returned for what ever reason.....
Was this the Herbert streamliner? It was at Bonneville in 2009 for Speed Week.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
Try this.
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Some bits were built!
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I understand he's managed to make a living out of sponsorship $$ for a while now but you can donate if you want. He actually had the Hot Rod trophy in the bag at Speed Week & then went over & mouthed off to George who was done for the meet. Apparently that didn't sit too well with George so he rolled "Goldie" out & made some more runs to correct that.
I'm the extreme underdog in the big streamliner world, going it alone out of my own shallow pocket in a short shed in Idaho. I have a lot more respect for cubic Dollars than I will ever have for arrogance.
Sid.
I think your description of Danny as arrogant didn't reflect the experience of others. And did not "sit well"
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I don't know Danny, have only spoken with him briefly on a couple of occasions. I think where a lot of people may get rubbed wrong, is by the "idea" whoever may be pushing it is that Danny is a low budget little guy. For the real little guys it is kinda a slap in the face.
While I don't pretend to know Danny's finances, A guy who is given/inherited or had a high level car paid for by others is not a little guy regardless of your personal budget. When you start with a famous father who's name is such a big deal it opens a ton of doors in every way. Especially sponsorship. your not a little guy. You have an instant fan base that supports you in every way, possibly free labor, free transport for your trailer, fuel, tires... the list goes on and on. People going to bat trying to fund your trip to Bolivia. Your not a little guy. Something a real "little" guy is not likely to get.
I have said it before on this site. I am never going to complain about money or someone elses resources, I am choosing to try and compete at a very high level. Money typical wins in any high level racing. I can just try to do the best I can with my personal resources. But lets be clear I don't feel that the Challenger OPERATION can claim to be a little underdog. And when anybody claims otherwise they lose a little something in my eyes. This is just a personal opinion.
I hope Danny does well and can accomplish his personal goals whatever they may be. But give credit where it is due and don't idolize someone for the wrong reasons. He has still had to make a lot of effort to get that car to where it is today. I certainly am not trying to take that away
Anybody who can go over 400 has my respect, Anybody who can do it on their own has more of my respect.
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Neil, that pic is of the former Maro Special, built by Tom Hanna for Bobby Moore. Now owned by Jim Knapp of San Diego and currently being prepped @ Maxwell industries (same shop Poteet uses) in Oxnard for the upcoming Bolivia meet!
The Herbert & Steen car made its first appearance in the late 1980s and returned infrequently for a few years. It was a huge 'liner with four big block Chevy engines. Made one pass in the low 300 range but never "qualified."
Willi
Thanks for clarifying that, Willi. I knew that the body was built by Tom Hanna but I did not know who owned it. The Hanna bodywork was beautiful but, to me, the overall cross-section looked a little too big. Frontal area may be its nemesis.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Neil, that pic is of the former Maro Special, built by Tom Hanna for Bobby Moore. Now owned by Jim Knapp of San Diego and currently being prepped @ Maxwell industries (same shop Poteet uses) in Oxnard for the upcoming Bolivia meet!
The Herbert & Steen car made its first appearance in the late 1980s and returned infrequently for a few years. It was a huge 'liner with four big block Chevy engines. Made one pass in the low 300 range but never "qualified."
Willi
Thanks for clarifying that, Willi. I knew that the body was built by Tom Hanna but I did not know who owned it. The Hanna bodywork was beautiful but, to me, the overall cross-section looked a little too big. Frontal area may be its nemesis.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
Look at speed demon. The actually cross section through the rear tires on that car is HUGE! but it has a nice shape. The difference in aero drag on cars making over 2000 hp is so minor its almost not a factor. Having a car that works and can stay on the gas makes a much bigger difference in top speed to me.
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My information had come from one of Georges crew!
Sid.
Reminds me of the old saying "Believe nothing of what you hear and half of what you see, because what you see may not be what it appears to be. Sid, maybe the crew-guy was exaggerating or adding his own two cents, but we know that never happens. :roll:
I will ask SSS to help with a fund for Danny as I was serious. SSS, I have my pay Pal ready, lets help out. I think that car will run 450+ and I'd love to see it.
George,
No need to have SSS start anything. Just go to Danny's webpage and donate like many other people have. Here is a link for you. http://thompsonlsr.com/partners/
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/4fe4b72984aefa6aa5a93f72/t/5a42c73e9140b74c01342908/1514325860944/THOMPSONLSR+2018.pdf
Tom G.
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Woody,
Thanks for the post of the "new" Herbert liner, didn't realize they were that far along. I was always impressed that they used a set of large section rolled steel channels for the basis of the frame, stiff and a great base for the rest of the car. They really look like they are about 50% finished as the body and all of the "little" detail is what take time and dollar$!!
Regarding DT (Danny Thompson) I worked with Danny in 82-83 at Interscope Racing and I can tell you that he is a RACER!!! When he decided to revive his dad's last streamliner it wasn't a matter of just dropping a couple of late model hemis in and taking it to the salt! The list of changes that were made to the car would take a book! All of these required engineering and fabrication and money. If you have seen Danny's pits at the salt they certainly don't appear to be "low dollar" but every thing that is there is because it was needed to make the effort successful and Danny doesn't do things half a$$ed. Danny certainly has an advantage having a famous father but he also has a huge number for great friends and people that want to see him succeed. (I put myself in that group) Danny knows his responsibilities to the team to keep it together and successful and works at it continuously to make it work. I am sure that we all identify ourselves with Danny and his effort and are all looking forward to that first 450 mph ticket!
I also have to comment about Sid's (kiwi belly tank) effort and also eddieschopshop's effort. Sid is a real "one man band" when it comes to building what I think will be a super competitive AA streamliner. I have not seen his car but did talk to him in depth about it last year at the salt and I am really looking forward to seeing this effort. Sid has (as is obvious from his posts) experience in building race cars and especially salt cars and I know that all of that experience will show on his new car. Sid, are we going to see it this summer????
Regarding the eddieschopshop car, what can you say other than beautiful!! What a surprise when it showed up at Elmo last summer. It was great to check it out at Bonneville and the guys that built it are typical salt racers, great to talk to and will answer about any question you ask. Anyone that shows up at the salt with a polished aluminum body that is damn near perfect must be a real "panel beater". I am sure that they are going to be a force on the salt but they are very similar to Sid, they had an idea and the ability to make it happen and probably on their own buck. Beautiful car.
Rex
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thanks for the nice words Rex.
I am a one man shop. I have had employees in the past but it has been just me for quite a few years. My crew helps with some cleaning and maintenance between events and obviously couldn't do it without them at the races. I built the car in my shop after hours by myself. 18 months start to finish and I am very proud of it. The body is not perfect there are definitely nicer alluminum bodied cars like the marianni and Moore cars but I think I did good. The car is completely on my own dime. I thought I had a sponsor for a trip to the wind tunnel this winter but it looks like that fell through, so nope no sponsors for me. I do everything myself except for my long block. I have someone put that together for me. But I do all my own fab/tuning/design you name it.
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That is a nice post, Rex. Everyone here has something positive to contribute the this sport.
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In racing communities of this nature, my experience is that there is almost always overwhelming support, not only for friends and acquaintances competing in "other" classes, but for those entrants competing directly with you in "your" class. It is a sense of "shared experience" that is rare in other aspects of life.
But, like everything else in the "human experience", not all "humans" share identical values. The eastern idea of "yin & yang" somewhat explains it. The bottom line is that it takes a certain amount of "adult behavior and self-control" to wish a competitor the best, under all circumstances.
Now I'm not a psychiatrist, I don't want to be one, and I've only seen them played on TV, but, to paraphrase Mr. Dylan, "You don't need to be a psychiatrist to tell which way the wind is blowing." What I mean by this is that I always evaluate contrarian statements using my own set of life learned values. I tend to be in agreement with statements based on facts rather than put any credence into statements driven by unproven speculation, raging emotion, or, perhaps, those based on human instincts such as envy or greed.
We as a species are an imperfect lot, no doubt we always will be. But we can all strive to personify what is the best about our species and our society. Every individual's behavior is their own personal choice, actively decided, not forced, under these circumstances. You have the freedom to choose yin, or to choose yang . . . . . . . . I strive to choose . . . . wisely . . . . .
Mr. Thompson, I have never had the pleasure of your acquaintance, but I recognize how difficult it is to achieve what you are attempting. May all the factors and stars be in alignment for your goals, the wind be at your back, and the best of luck to you. I wish you success, and, perhaps, one day we will meet at the salt.
:cheers:
Mark
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Yes Danny inherited a Name a legacy and a car. It is remarkable that at such an advanced age he has chosen to follow his dream. Even more remarkable is his finding help and support. Any comparison to he and George Poteet is a farce. Danny's finances are about as different from George's as their cars are different. Further, I'd say that Running 435 on the track that was there on about his 5th run was pretty gutsy. My take on George's thrash (changing engines and such) to get the H R mag top speed trophy is just the result of being addicted to being the top dog...nothing more then what you would expect from a fierce competitor.
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You can't compare Danny and George anymore than you can compare Danny with a small average Joe race team. George wants that trophy there is no secret, he is going to do everything he can to get it. He is willing to spend his own money to do it. That's passion or pride or whatever you want to call it. Its the one thing nearly every driver out there has in common. It takes a certain type of person to want to do this in the first place. Some try just to get out of the car and say "nope not for me". I sure hope to see someone beat George out for the trophy while he is still running though. Not because I wish Ill towards the Speed Demon but just to keep it interesting. Its wouldn't be near as impressive for someone to get top speed just cuzz Speed demon didn't show up. Unless they can beat their top speed then their is no doubt.
George is great for the sport. He spends his money and supports many business's. My experience with George has been very positive. I get the impression his overall reputation is that of a class act.
Danny has been getting a lot of publicity which is always good for the sport, he also seems to have a very positive reputation. Hopefully he is pushing the salt issues every chance he gets with all that face time.
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(Comments never posted/deleted before posting) :-D
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! been there done that :-D
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SSS was just sayin', if Danny had my money, he'd throw his away. :lol:
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By his data logger Danny's second run was quite a bit faster than his 435 when the rod let go . But for luck he would have had the Hot Rod trophy .
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After watching “Strange Inheritance” featuring Danny Thompson and his work on getting Mickey’s streamliner out on the salt flats, I was reminded of my time with Mickey in 1968 at Bonneville.
Although I had several years’ experience in drag racing back then, I had none in land speed record setting at Bonneville. So, at the advice of USAC headquarters, in the summer of 1968 I traveled to meet USA Steward Joe Petrali at his office in LaVerne, California. My objective was to learn whatever I could about the various requirements for setting international and world records under FIA sanction.
We discussed The Blue Flame LSR project and how we wanted to attempt a world land speed record in September, 1969. Joe gave me lists of names to contact at the State of Utah Bureau of Land Management in Salt Lake City, the Western Motel in Wendover, and said he would handle the paperwork with USAC, ACCUS-FIA and the FIA in Paris, France.
As I continued to ask him questions about running on the salt flats and the course layout, his eyebrows suddenly raised and he had a smile on his face. “Let me get this straight now”, he said, “You and your crew have never even been to the Bonneville Salt Flats, right?” I nodded affirmatively.
“And you intend to go out there next year and break Craig Breedlove’s World Land Speed Record, right?” Again I nodded.
“You do know his record is 600 mph!” “Yes”, I replied.
“You do know that you have to go at least 607 mph to set a new record?” he continued. “That’s what it says in the FIA rulebook, exceed the record by 1%.” I again responded by nodding my head.
“Well, then, we’ll have to help with your education”, Joe said, chuckling.
He suggested that I witness land speed racing first hand later that summer. Mickey Thompson planned to publicize the new 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1by setting numerous FIA international speed and endurance records at Bonneville on the International Course. Joe and his USAC crew would be out there timing and certifying the records, so he invited me to witness the event.
Mickey had set up an encampment with all of his Mustangs and service equipment near the mile six marker and off to the side of the course. He also had a double-wide trailer (a ranch house, really) parked opposite the USAC timing trailer. The Autolite Special streamliner was also parked near the trailer.
Inside the timing trailer, Joe and his crew fired up their generator and warmed up the timing lights, electronic timers, etc. They were to be out there for two weeks as Mickey and Hawaiian racer Danny Ongais set over 100 records for speed and distance on the international straight line course and the 10-mile circle course for class B (305 to 488 cu in) and class C (183 to 305 cu in) sedans.
As the Mickey Thompson team prepared the various Mustangs for their record runs there was plenty of down time for Mickey and the USAC crew. Joe introduced me to Mickey later in the day. “Mick, here’s a young man who will be coming out here next year to break Craig’s record.” Mickey looked me over carefully, and then exclaimed: “You’d better have a ton of money if you want to do that.” “We do,” I boasted. Then Mickey looked over toward one of the Mustangs and said “Let’s go for a little ride.”
We hopped into the blue 1969 Mustang which had been prepared for the flying start mile and kilometer speed runs. Mickey strapped himself in and put on his helmet while I crouched on the floor hanging on to the roll cage tubing. “What am I doing here?” I thought. Mickey then took me on a high-speed trip up and down the course at 150 mph, showing me how to spot soft salt and other speed killers.
“Thanks, Joe,” I shouted afterwards while climbing out through the window, “I think!”
I spent a few days watching Mickey and Danny setting lots of records with the Mustangs. The Autolite Special streamliner was just sitting there until I left. I always wanted to see that beautiful car run, and now Danny has made that happen. Keep going, Danny!
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I can assure everyone George is a Class act all the way, but he is a racer and will do whatever he can to go home with the Hotrod trophy. It would not be in him to put the car away and pull it back out because someone said something. If there is any chance of making a fast run, the car will be running down the salt. If he has to fly parts in just to get another run on the car he will do it. At the same time, if he can help a fellow racer he will do that too! When we were at a Cook event we had just made a record pass but had some minor body damage after the pass. George walk over and offered anything he had so we could get back out in time, for the second run. After getting repairs finish (with his crews help) we had but a small time window to make the pass. Driver gets pushed off, but gets onto the throttle to much and spins the liner off the track. No damage and its still running but were 100's of yards off the track and cannot get the push truck to the car. George sends his entire crew to help us push the liner back towards the track far enough so the push truck can get it. Got it back to the line in time and off the car goes again. Yep, we set the FIA record, but it would not have happened without Georges and Ron's help. So I would have to say that any thought of the car being pulled back out of the trailer because of something that anyone may have said just isn't what happened. My guess would be they found what was needed and made the necessary changes in time for George to do what he truly loves to do.......... go 400 + MPH down the Bonneville Salt Flats.
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Wobbly Walrus - re: streamliner build locations - you left out fruit stands, like the one where two brothers put together a four engined one that was pretty successful back in the day.
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My mom used to say;
"If wishes were fishes we would all have some to fry"!
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caught the show tonight