As of this writing Danny Thompson is the fastest man on the salt at SCTA Speed Week 2016 after a triumphant 402mph run in his Challenger 2 streamliner on Sunday morning that sealed his place in the Bonneville history books. With this record, Danny Thompson becomes the 15th member of the most exclusive club on the salt, the 400mph Club. He was sporting his black hat and a massive smile after accomplishing a feat he has been working to achieve for years.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the record accomplishment is the fact that it was done on two runs. His 411mph pass on Saturday qualified him and the 402mph run at daybreak on Sunday morning locked him into the books. Right now George Poteet is the one threat to knock Thompson off of the perch he is on now at this year’s Speed Week. If he is to keep the top spot, Thompson will break a years long streak of Poteet and team having their name etched on the Hot Rod Magazine Top Time Trophy.
Words cannot begin to describe what this must mean for Thompson and his goal of keeping the amazing family legacy that his father started alive on the salt. Most neat? Danny Thompson’s mom was on hand to see her son do what so few in the history of the SCTA Bonneville Speed Week fraternity have ever done. Traversing the salt at over 400mph is amazing and we’re glad that we were here to see it happen!
Here’s a couple of photos of the Challenger 2 heading to the starting line at daybreak
Just awesome.
Well done Danny – you are carrying on a great family tradition. your dad would have been so proud of you. Great to see the traditional Thompson blue gracing yet another awesome car – now find another 100mph and your week on the salt will be compete…