Mickey Thompson
Legendary American performance for off-road and drag racing
History & Overview
Mickey Thompson Tires was founded in 1963 by Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson, one of the most legendary figures in American motorsport history. Mickey Thompson was the first American to exceed 400 mph on land at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960, and he went on to win multiple off-road racing championships. He applied his racing knowledge to create tires specifically engineered for extreme performance applications.
The company initially focused on drag racing tires and off-road competition rubber, areas where Mickey Thompson's racing experience provided genuine expertise. The brand became synonymous with American motorsport, particularly in drag racing where their ET Street and ET Drag tires became standards, and in off-road racing through success in events like the Baja 1000.
Tragically, Mickey Thompson and his wife were murdered in 1988, but the brand continued under various ownership. Today, Mickey Thompson Tires is owned by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and operates as a specialty performance brand focused on off-road, drag racing, and aggressive truck applications. The Baja Boss series honors the brand's desert racing heritage, while their drag tires continue to dominate at race tracks across America.
For official specifications, visit Mickey Thompson's official website.
Popular Tire Lines
Baja Boss A/T
All-TerrainPremium all-terrain tire combining off-road capability with on-road refinement. PowerPly XD construction provides puncture resistance. Asymmetric tread pattern optimizes both on and off-road performance. 50,000-mile warranty. Available in 16"-22".
Baja Boss M/T
Mud TerrainAggressive mud-terrain tire for serious off-roaders. Silicex compound provides cut and chip resistance on rocks. Massive sidebiters enhance traction in ruts and loose terrain. Bold styling complements lifted trucks. Available in 15"-24".
Baja Legend EXP
All-TerrainDesert-racing inspired all-terrain tire. Developed from Baja 1000 racing experience. Excellent for high-speed desert running and overlanding. 3PMSF certified. Available in 15"-22".
Baja Legend MTZ
Mud TerrainExtreme mud-terrain tire with competition heritage. Designed for the most demanding off-road conditions. Meets military puncture resistance standards. Available in 15"-20".
ET Street S/S
Drag RadialDOT-legal drag radial for street/strip use. R2 compound provides consistent 60-foot times. Popular choice for high-horsepower street machines. Must be heat-cycled for optimal performance. Available in 15"-20".
ET Drag
Competition DragPurpose-built drag slick for competition use (not street legal). M5 compound offers maximum traction for dedicated race cars. Proven choice in NHRA and grassroots drag racing. Available in 15"-17".
Price Range
Brand Highlights
- Founded by Mickey Thompson - first American to exceed 400 mph on land
- Now part of Goodyear family while maintaining specialty performance focus
- Baja Boss line developed from actual Baja 1000 desert racing experience
- ET Street and ET Drag tires are benchmarks in American drag racing
- PowerPly XD construction provides 3 plies of protection for off-road durability
- Sidebiters provide sidewall traction and protection while adding aggressive styling
Terrain Capability
Mickey Thompson dominates two distinct worlds: off-road desert racing and drag strip performance. Here's how their tires perform across different terrain types:
Desert/High-Speed Off-Road
This is Mickey Thompson's heritage. Baja Boss and Baja Legend tires are developed from actual Baja 1000 racing experience. PowerPly XD construction handles high-speed impacts.
Best tire: Baja Legend EXPRock Crawling
Baja Boss M/T's Sidebiters provide sidewall traction and protection. Not as specialized as BFGoodrich KM3 for extreme rock crawling, but capable for most use.
Best tire: Baja Boss M/TMud
Baja Boss M/T handles mud effectively with self-clearing tread design. Baja Legend MTZ is even more aggressive for dedicated mud use.
Best tire: Baja Legend MTZDrag Strip
Mickey Thompson literally wrote the book on drag tires. ET Street S/S and ET Drag are benchmark drag racing tires used across all levels of competition.
Best tire: ET Street S/S (street/strip) or ET Drag (competition)Highway
Baja Boss A/T provides surprisingly good highway manners with 50,000-mile warranty. Still focused on off-road capability, so don't expect luxury ride quality.
Best tire: Baja Boss A/TWho Should Buy Mickey Thompson?
Ideal For
- Drag racers at any level from street/strip to NHRA competition
- Desert and Baja-style off-road enthusiasts
- High-horsepower muscle car owners needing traction
- Overlanders wanting proven desert racing heritage
- American truck owners who value authentic motorsport pedigree
Consider Alternatives If
- Pure rock crawling (BFGoodrich KM3 is more specialized)
- Quiet highway cruising (touring tires are better suited)
- Budget-focused buyers (Mickey Thompson commands premium pricing)
- European sports car owners (limited passenger car fitments)
Recommended Wheel Pairings
Mickey Thompson tires pair best with wheels that match their aggressive, purpose-built nature. Here are our recommendations:
For serious off-road use, smaller diameter wheels with more sidewall provide better cushioning. Steel wheels are trail-repairable. Method Race Wheels are a popular choice.
Baja Boss A/T buyers often want aggressive looks with daily capability. Fuel, American Racing, and Method wheels complement the tire's bold styling.
For drag racing, lighter wheels improve ET times. Weld Racing, Billet Specialties, and Race Star wheels are purpose-built for drag applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mickey Thompson tires good for daily driving?
Baja Boss A/T is designed for daily driving with 50,000-mile warranty and reasonable road manners. However, ET Street and drag tires are NOT for daily driving—they're designed for track use with limited street miles. Match the tire to your actual use case.
Who owns Mickey Thompson now?
Mickey Thompson Tires has been owned by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company since 2003. Goodyear maintains Mickey Thompson as a specialty performance brand while providing access to their global R&D and manufacturing resources.
Do I need to heat cycle ET Street tires?
Yes. ET Street S/S tires require proper heat cycling to achieve optimal performance. This involves gradually bringing the tires up to operating temperature over several runs before expecting maximum traction. Your first few passes won't represent the tire's full capability.
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