SEMA 2025: Mickey Thompson Revives a Legend: Baja Belted II and MT Classic Forged Wheels

When people talk about off-road racing legends, few names echo louder than Mickey Thompson. Long before his name adorned tires, wheels, and performance parts, he was a racer—an innovator who refused to accept limits. Known as much for his mechanical genius as his driving skill, Thompson was the rare competitor who could dream up the impossible and then build it himself.

While many remember him for his record-breaking runs on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Thompson’s legacy in off-road racing is equally monumental. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, desert racing was still in its infancy and the Baja 1000, in particular, was a proving ground where durability often mattered more than outright speed.

Mickey saw that challenge differently. He believed off-road racing could be fast, competitive, and spectacular. But first, it needed better equipment. Factory tires of the time simply couldn’t handle the pounding of desert rocks, sand, and silt. So, in true Thompson fashion, he decided to make his own.

The Birth Of The Baja Belted

Working with his engineers, Thompson developed a tire that could survive—and thrive—in the desert. The result was the Mickey Thompson Baja Belted, a breakthrough in off-road tire design. It combined a rugged, belted construction with an aggressive tread pattern unlike anything else on the market.

The tire wasn’t just tough—it was transformative. Thompson tested it the only way he knew how: behind the wheel, in the heat of competition. At the Baja 1000, he raced on the very first Baja Belted tires, putting his design to the test across some of the most punishing terrain in motorsports. The performance spoke for itself.

The Baja Belted quickly became a favorite among racers and off-road enthusiasts alike, earning a reputation for durability and traction in the most extreme conditions. Its distinctive tread pattern became an icon—an unmistakable symbol of Mickey Thompson’s belief that innovation and performance could coexist, even in the harshest environments.

Changing The Game Forever

Mickey Thompson didn’t just race—he built a movement. His vision helped shape modern off-road racing into the high-performance, high-stakes spectacle it is today. Beyond Baja, he went on to organize and promote short-course stadium off-road racing, bringing the sport into urban arenas and onto national television.

But the Baja Belted tire remained one of his proudest achievements—a product that embodied his philosophy of pushing beyond the possible.

Today, decades after Mickey Thompson’s pioneering runs across the desert, that legacy lives on. The Baja Belted II, unveiled at the 2025 SEMA Show, is both a tribute and a continuation—a tire born from the same spirit of speed, innovation, and pure desert grit that defined the man himself.

Mickey Thompson once said, “The only limits are the ones you place on yourself.” The original Baja Belted proved that truth in every mile of dust and glory that followed.

From The Desert, Reborn

Nearly half a century after the introduction of the original Baja Belted tire, the team at Mickey Thompson has revived that spirit for a new generation of trail chasers and desert runners.

“The original Baja Belted wasn’t just a tire—it was a revolution,” said Ben Anderson, Senior Manager of Light Truck & Off-Road at Mickey Thompson. “It featured one of the most recognizable tread patterns of its time and proved its mettle in the harshest conditions imaginable. Mickey Thompson’s win at the Baja 1000 cemented its place in off-road history. With the Baja Belted II, we’re bringing that legacy back to life for a new generation of enthusiasts.”

That’s a bold statement—but the Baja Belted II backs it up. The tire blends vintage attitude with thoroughly modern engineering, merging old-school looks with next-generation performance. It’s a tire born from racing heritage but reimagined for modern adventure.

Old-School Style, New-School Muscle

One glance and the Baja Belted II’s DNA is obvious. The tread design pays homage to its 1970s predecessor, with chunky, instantly recognizable lugs. But beneath that retro look is 21st-century engineering.

Select sizes feature steel-belted radial construction, improving ride comfort and minimizing flat-spotting after long sits—something every off-roader who’s trailered home after a weekend in Moab can appreciate. A precision-tuned tread pattern keeps things quiet on the highway and consistent on the trail, offering longer wear life without dulling its desert-ready bite.

Mickey Thompson also incorporated deep, variable-depth Sidebiter elements, a brand signature, designed to claw through sand, mud, and rocks while protecting the sidewalls from trail abuse. And for purists who appreciate heritage as much as traction, certain sizes will proudly display classic outlined white lettering.

Available in an expansive range of 15- to 30-inch wheel sizes, the Baja Belted II fits everything from nostalgic lifted 4x4s to massive custom SEMA builds. Its wide footprint provides better flotation in loose terrain, while a non-directional tread pattern makes rotations easier and extends the tire’s life.

A Perfect Pairing: MT Classic Forged Wheels

The revival didn’t stop at rubber. Mickey Thompson also rolled out a companion product built to match the Baja Belted II’s aggressive stance and vintage appeal—the MT Classic Forged wheel.

“The MT Classic Forged isn’t just a wheel—it’s a tribute,” said Blake Warner, Channel Manager, Wheels at Mickey Thompson. “We’ve taken the timeless spirit of Mickey’s original design and reimagined it with aerospace-grade materials and aggressive specs to meet the demands of today’s builds.”

Forged from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, the MT Classic Forged wheel is both lighter and stronger than its cast predecessors. Its monoblock construction delivers exceptional strength and durability while resisting corrosion from mud, salt, and desert grit.

Designed to complement the Baja Belted II, the new wheel line comes in 14- and 16-inch widths, 17-inch diameters, and 3.5-inch backspacing for that unmistakable wide, planted stance. The classic 8-hole face design, step lip, and deep barrel evoke the rugged spirit of Mickey’s early off-road creations, while a high-polish finish and matching aluminum center cap deliver a refined, show-ready look.

Each wheel is DOT-approved and backed by a lifetime limited structural warranty, ensuring that style and strength go hand-in-hand—just as Mickey intended.

Forged From Heritage, Built For The Future

Together, the Baja Belted II and MT Classic Forged mark a powerful return to the core of Mickey Thompson’s philosophy: innovate, push harder, and always honor the pursuit of performance.

These products aren’t nostalgia pieces—they’re functional tributes designed for real off-roaders who value both heritage and horsepower. Whether it’s the howl of the desert wind at high speed or the crunch of gravel under a lifted truck, Mickey Thompson’s influence is still felt in every mile of dirt.

Both products will be available through authorized Mickey Thompson retailers in early 2026.