In 1955, Dave Michaels competing with his 1625 cc Bandini-Offenhauser won the 2000 cc E Modified (EM) class at Watkins, contesting on equal terms with Monzas, Maseratis, Cunninghams, and Mondials of greater engine capacity, establishing a Thompson track record by two tenths of a second that would remain unbeaten for a year and a half.