Land Speed Racing at the Ohio Mile Kris Henderson build this car with the help of friends in the 80s and has been tinkering with it and racing it ever since. In it's current configuration, it's running a custom built 572" BBC with nitrous. During the Ohio Mile, Kris was trying out some new tires that were taller and skinnier. The decrease in traction was more than he was anticipating - making for a few wild passes down the 1 mile course. This video is a compilation from several views in and around the car. It is concluded with Kris going over how and why the car was built into the monster that it is today....

Land Speed Racing: Quest for 1000 mph #2   We can't get enough of Bloodhound SSC. A quest for 1000 mph? Awesome, even to think about it. So.. when the Bloodhound gang releases a press release, I share it. Here's a few more tasty bits of info your mind to chew on... The world land speed record of 763 mph is held by Thrust SSC, a UK team lead by BLOODHOUND’s Project Director Richard Noble and driven by Andy Green. Components for BLOODHOUND SSC are being manufactured by specialists across the UK and delivered to the BLOODHOUND Technical Centre in Bristol for assembly throughout 2013. UK runway testing (up to 200 mph) will get underway early 2014 before the team decamp to the Hakskeen Pan, South Africa to begin high speed testing. The BLOODHOUND team scoured the globe to find the perfect desert to run the car on, it needed to be at least 12 miles long, two miles wide and perfectly flat. The Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa was selected. At full speed BLOODHOUND SSC will cover a mile in 3.6 seconds, that’s 4.5 football pitches laid...

Meet Uncle Jed: A Robert Killian creation aimed to run 200-plus mph Story by Ben Mozart Photographs by our friends at Moore Good Ink Now here's something you don't see every day! You've seen mash-ups of a pro-touring Mercury Comet, but this one's the ultimate combination of hot rod style and pro-style motivation. Robert Killian, you out did yourself! Robert Killian hails from Canton, Georgia. He’s been building hot rods for most his adult life, and he has always indulged himself in the unorthodox.   But when contemplating Uncle Jed he told his chassis builder, “Let’s have one last adventure into the unknown. I’m reaching a point in my life (58) when I don’t anticipate foolin’ with 200mph cars much longer.” So this was how he approached his latest creation: a 1,900hp big-inch Pro Stock-powered road-legal Rat Rod. “Mind you,” said Killian, “I’m hesitant about calling Uncle Jed a Rat Rod because some Rat Rodders take offense. They’re adamant that it’s not low-buck enough, but obviously there’s not enough gleaming paint on it to call it a hotrod.” So its genre is uncertain.   What is certain, however, is...

Ariel Atom Racer: Hit the Race Track! By Ben Mozart Photographs by our friends at Moore Good Ink If you're looking to get into racing, the Ariel Atom may be a great way to start. A fairly low cost, great power-to-weight ratio for a fun time, and a good looking package that'll fit my 6'4" frame! Check it out!   Alton, VA: Probably the most significant milestone in the past two years for Sportsman road racers, those who pay their own bills, is the introduction of the Spec:RaceAtom (SRA) which is a race-version based off the popular Ariel Atom 3 supercar. The Spec:RaceAtom (SRA) distinguishes itself in several extraordinary ways, not least by its unusual exoskeleton form. But its mesmerizingly rapid acceleration and its remarkable cornering power are attributes that need to be explored urgently.   Weighing 1315lbs, the SRA is extraordinarily light and having its transversely mounted engine and transmission positioned over the rear wheels ensures massive traction. In steady-state cornering, the car generates remarkable g-forces, measuring 1.7 to 1.8g. In its power-to weight ratio the SRA exceeds many modern supercars.   No wonder former NHRA Top Fuel...

Ford GT40's, Porsche's and Vintage Jag's Hit the Track Written by Vic Moore Photographs by our friends at Moore Good Ink When Vic told us about this event, of course we wanted pictures and info for MyRideisMe.com faithful. See, we're not just about hot rods!   Braselton, GA: Each year the Historic Sportscar Racing association (HSR) organizes the largest and oldest event for Historic race cars on the East Coast. It’s called the Walter Mitty and it takes place at Road Atlanta, usually in late April.     Founded by a group of Atlanta‐area racing devotees in the mid-1970s, the Mitty is a celebration of sports and racing cars from the 1950s through the Can-Am years to more recent times.   This year’s event, the Classic Motorsports 37th Mitty, took place on April 26-28, and had appointed former driver and now F1 television commentator for NBC David Hobbs as its Grand Master.   Ed Pink Racing Engines’ proprietor, the upbeat Tom Malloy reclining in his folding chair under his transporter awning said, “Come on in and take a look at my McLaren M8E, if you’d like.”   Here in...

Challenger 2.5 Rebuilt by Danny Thompson for Bonneville Land Speed Racing   I 'm honored to hear Danny Thompson's story of how he'll rebuild the race car his father, legendary racer Mickey Thompson, originally built in 1968 with help from Ford.   I believe, and I've said it before, land speed racing folks are extraordinarily kind people. Count Danny Thompson as one of those people and as a brave and dedicated man. After losing his father roughly 25 years ago, Danny now knows:   "... It's still a father son project, nothing's changed... he's just not going to be there in physical being."   Please enjoy this interview with Danny Thompson with historic pictures from the build website thompsonlsr.com. Additional images courtesy of Holly Martin Photography. [youtube]http://youtu.be/xG5n4kFNlsA[/youtube]   What a great story of perseverance. Thanks for sharing it Danny!   Please show your support for Danny and the team by checking out their online Challenger 2.5 store, or please leave a comment if the story's got you thinking about projects you worked on with your pops. I know I am.   Click here for all of MyRideisMe.com's Bonneville Salt Flat...

Mike Ryan and his Freightliner Drifting! 10,000 lbs and over 3000 ft-lbs of torque. This was one of the highlights of the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. Follow along as Mike get's her sideways at Spring Mountain Ranch. (Click to see any picture full size) If you listen closely, you can hear Chad Reynolds from Bangshift.com quietly whimpering in the passenger seat as they use every bit of the track drifting out of this turn. I had to share this one too: The aftermath of one of the smokiest burnouts ever. Laying on the ground, now in powder form is the handmade Michelin X-1 tires abused regularly by Mike and his Freightliner. Overkill with a side of crazy. I love it. Last thing... Here's a video of Mike Ryan warming up for a Formula Drift event with drift champion Samuel Hubinette. Worth a watch as Mike works the bugs out and gives a Make-a-wish child the ride of his life. [youtube]http://youtu.be/Iw0e6aBfNiI[/youtube] How can you not like and share this? See all of the 2012 Optima Invitational Stories & Pictures...

Top 25 and Can Tow the Other Cars! (Click to see any picture full size) I give you a bitch'n five-pack of race inspired (ok, they're pretty much full on race cars except for the Blazer) of 70s Chevy C10 trucks! As I said, the Optima Invitational was a diverse event, filled with the coolest and fastest cars from SEMA, and not just late model Camaros and Mustangs. I've seen some great looking C10's bagged and laying frame in Arizona, but I haven't seen any that could hold their own at the local SCCA autocross! In a social media experiment (or maybe I just don't have much info) I'll try and get the owners to fill-in the details on their trucks. I've got some Facebook or email contacts, so wish me luck! -UPDATE! Got info from Rob MacGregor and Curt Hill. Pictured up top and right here is Phil Gerber's 1970 Chevrolet C10: Phil yank'n and bank'n on the autocross Phil drove to a #12 finish and was the "Top Truck" in the competition. Congratulations on some skilled driving and a great looking truck! Next, pictured above and with his...

1966 Mustang Fastback - Pro-Touring on a Budget   One of the hightlights of the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational (aka OUSCI) was meeting Ron Schwarz, the owner of this extremely well done - homebuilt - 1966 Ford Mustang fastback. Sporting all the pro-touring trim, MyRideisMe.com featured this car long ago as part of a how-to story: Build A Pro-touring Mustang for $5000   The key point was, as you can imagine, "Do it yourself".   With a few stickers, new wheels and a new, budget blowing LS motor, Ron's Schwarz's Mustang now cracks the wallet closer to $15,000, but I'd guess is still many thousands on-the-cheap compared to the other competitors at the Optima Invitational. Unbelievably, Ron finished 33rd in the Design challenge. I don't know what those cats are looking for, but this was a ground up car featuring only what's needed to go fast. Other than that, Ron finished just outside the top 20 on the Hot Lap Challenge and the Speed Stop Challenge, but did bring home a top 20 in the Autocross.   At least he can say he tied with the Lamborghini!  ...

More than just Camaros and Mustangs at the OUSCI (Click to see any picture full size) If you're in the corporate world, you've heard about diversity. You've probably had some training on it so you can be more sensitive or some other nonsense like that.  The way I see it, different strokes for different folks and that's never been more true than in the rides we choose. Am I right? At the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational (damn that's a long name!) the race car diversity was on overload! Shown above, all racing in the same event: 3rd place finishing 2003 Mitsubishi Evo (yellow one barely visible), 1967 Pontiac, 2013 GTR, , a 2012 Audi RS5, 2012 Fiat Abarth, 1986 Porsche Carrera, and some others you'll see in another photo. Right up front and a great example of diversity is the Pontiac. How often do you see this motor at an SCCA race? This blown 1967 Pontiac Firebird owned by Mike Ardito made hot laps on the track, did the autocross, the road race... and I think held it's own in the performance and design competition! Todd Faust's 1966 Mustang leads the...

At Speed and Sideways at the OUSCI Your guide to all that was GREAT at the 2012 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational. (Click to see any picture full size) Well... drowning in too many pictures of great looking and performing rides, I've spent too much time trying to make a great summary of the post-SEMA Optima race aka the OUSCI. So rather than attempt to dazzle you with my witty, yet descriptive account of the race, I'll let my photos speak for me. Let me summarize: Great racing, I'll be back! I'll list all the stories about the race here as I write them, so check back and please share with other fans. Dream Ride - Optima Invitational Raced Twin Turbo Lamborghini Road Racing and Autocross Diversity Training Thanks to Optima Back and Still under budget Pro-touring 1966 Mustang Fastback Top 25 Finishing, Pro-touring Styled Chevy Trucks Drifting a 10,000 lb Freightliner  For the pictures here, shown above, in his GM performance packed 1967 Camaro is event winner Mark Steilow. I'm planning a more detailed story about Mark and his ripping fast Camaro, so for now, enjoy the hard-chargin,...

My Ride in an Lamborghini Superleggara Ever been to SEMA? Then you've dreamed. When I stumbled upon this stunning orange Lamborghini in the Optima Batteries booth, was I dreaming to ride in it? Nah, probably not. There'd be no way... how could I make that happen? It's more of a fantasy... not something that'd happen to me. Well it did! So what did I see in the booth? Allow me to elaborate: This is a 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo. To be more specific, it's the Superleggera version.  Superleggera refers to the special lightweight construction thanks to carbon fiber used all over the place. (you'll see it in every picture... click to see any pic full size) Let me say a little more... this is no ordinary Lamborghini Superleggera (like they could ever be ordinary!) This one's had the 5.2L V10 it normally runs (only 562 HP and 0-62mph in 3.4s... phffft!) replaced by a twin turbo setup by Underground Racing. When the driver tunes the ECU to the highest setting of, "Are you kidding me" this potent supercar rocks 1500 HP on 116 octane. Yes. Details from Underground Racing here....