LSR: Thompson makes first run at Bonneville

After a two-year break because of bad weather, Speedweek is underway on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Danny Thompson, the 66-year-old son of the late Mickey Thompson, made a 411mph run in his first attempt on Saturday in Challenger II; the car was originally built by his father in 1968 and has been restored for a new run for the LSR by the younger Thompson and a small group of craftsmen.

In 2014, the twin dry block nitro-fueled Hemi V8 powered, all-wheel-drive, 4000hp Challenger II qualified for the AA/Fuel Streamliner record by averaging 419mph during the final mile, but a second run to back up the record was cut short by a clutch failure, and deteriorating weather forced the cancellation of Bonneville's World Finals, ending LSR attempts for the year. Rain – or mud, specifically – wiped out the event in 2015.

Race director Bill Lattin of the Southern California Timing Association, which runs the event, said more than 400 pre-entries had registered, but since "the Salt Gods are shining on us," SCTA expects over 500 vehicles.

There are three courses this year: a five-mile-long course with three miles of shutdown; a three-mile-long short course with two miles of shutdown; and a two-mile-long rookie course with one mile of shutdown.

Speedweek continues through Aug. 19.

UPDATE: Action is done for today and will resume Sunday.