It's surprising how hard it can be to find a good piece of flat, well-kept asphalt suitable for a mile of open throttle. The Mojave Mile is just two years old, and already luring interesting machines, like a Powerstroke-driven Hudson pickup that can be driven by mouth.

Danny Thompson set out last month to best his Bonneville speed record of 256 mph in an ethanol-powered Mustang. He hit 265 mph and then flipped his 'Stang end over end. Here's the astonishing view from the passenger seat.