390 MPH Run Interrupted By Fire Extinguisher

Danny Thompson is chasing a dream, but just experienced every driver's nightmare. The 65-year-old racer is trying to break a land speed record for piston-powered, wheel-driven cars in a streamliner first built by his father, American racing legend Mickey Thompson, in 1968. Challenger II has gotten a few modifications since then, including more power and added modern systems - but one of them bit Danny in a spectacular way. After finishing a 390 mph average pass at the Bonneville Salt Flats last week, Thompson pulled the chutes, which slowed the car so abruptly that it set off the fire extinguisher. The team had intentionally put in a low-resistance switch to make it easier to engage, but never expected G-forces alone to do it. Within seconds the cockpit filled with white foam and natural instincts developed over decades of experience at high speeds took over. Credit also to fellow LiveLeaker for the find Ak87 Video Credit goes with thanks to thompsonlsr